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Power Mobility and Safety Concerns

Power mobility enhances participation in daily activities as well as recreation for those who are in long-term care. The devices can also pose security concerns that need to be addressed.

The majority of participants choose to adopt a teleological view and allow all residents the chance to try a device, rather than exclude those with specific diagnoses which could be considered a prejudicial risk management.

Mobility

A power mobility device provides an option for those with limited mobility to move about their community or home, and to participate in daily activities that they may not be able to participate in. These devices pose a risk not only to the individual using them, but also to other people who are in their environment. Occupational therapists must be aware of the safety requirements of each client prior to making recommendations about powered mobility scooter mobility.

In an exploratory study (von Zweck, 1999), OTs from three residential care facilities within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority conducted qualitative interviews with residents regarding their power mobility use. The goal was to develop an approach to client-centered power mobility prescribing. The results revealed four major themes: (1) the meaning of power mobility, (2) learning the rules of the road, (3) red flags concerning safety, and (4) solutions.

Power mobility can boost the quality of life of individuals who have limited electric mobility scooter fastest. This is because it allows them to participate in daily activities at home and within the community. Self-care, active and recreational activities are essential to the physical and mental well-being of the elderly. For many with advanced illnesses, power mobility allows them to take part in these vital activities.

Many participants considered it unacceptable to remove the chair of a resident, since this could cause a huge interruption to their life or trajectory and essentially prevent them from continuing with the same activities they had been doing before the progression of their illness. This was especially relevant for those in Facility 1 who had only been able use their power chairs for a short time and were now dependent on others to push them.

Another option is to slow down the speed at which some residents drive their chairs. However this could cause a number issues such as privacy and the impact on the rest of the community. The most drastic solution to safety concerns was to remove the wheelchair from a resident's.

Safety

Power mobility allows people to move around more freely. They can also participate in a greater variety of activities, and do around on their own. With greater mobility comes a higher risk of accidents. For some, these accidents could cause serious injuries to themselves and others. This is why it is vital to consider the security of your client before suggesting they use a power mobility.

First check if your client can safely operate their power chair or electric wheel scooter. This could involve an assessment of physical health by a doctor or occupational therapist or a mobility specialist, depending on the nature of your client's impairment and their current health. In certain situations your client may require an automobile lift to be capable of loading and unloading the device at their home, community or workplace.

Another aspect of safety is to learn the rules of the road. This includes sharing space, with other pedestrians, wheelchair users and drivers of buses or cars. A majority of the participants have mentioned this issue.

Some people learnt to drive their wheelchairs along sidewalks instead of driving in crowded areas or on curbs (unless the wheelchair was specifically made to be used in this way). Others drove slower and kept an eye out for pedestrians in a crowd.

The final and least desired option was taking away the chair of a person. This was viewed as a double punishment: losing independent mobility power scooters and preventing access to facilities and community activities. This was the view of the majority of participants who were able to remove their chairs among them Diane and Harriet.

Participants also suggested that family members, and staff members be informed about the proper use of power mobility. This could include educating residents on the fundamentals of driving (such as using the correct side of the hallway) and encouraging residents to practice driving skills while out, and assisting them in understanding how their behavior affects other people's mobility.

Follow-Up

The capacity and willingness of a child to participate in life can be profoundly affected by a device for power mobility. There isn't much research on the experience that children experience when they learn to use these devices. This study uses the post-previous method to analyze the effects of 6 months of experience with one of four early mobility devices on a group of school-aged children of children with severe cerebral palsy (CP).

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents as well as pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes. The first theme, 'Power for mobility explained how using the power of a device affected more than just the child's motor skills. Learning to drive a mobility device was often an emotional, transformative journey for the participants.

The second theme, 'There's no such thing as any cookbook,' revealed that the process of learning how to use the power mobility device was a bespoke process that developed over time in a cycle. Therapists were charged with determining the most appropriate solution for each child's needs and capabilities. In the initial phase of training and following, therapists were required to be patient with children and parents. Parents and therapists alike described the need to help families celebrate their achievements and resolve issues that arise from the process of training.

The third theme, "Shared space", examined how the use of the power device can affect other people's lives and interactions. The majority of those who participated in this study felt that one must be mindful of other people when using their mobility device. This is especially true when driving on public roads. Several participants also noted that they've had to deal with situations in which someone else's property was damaged due to the use of the power mobility device or in which an individual was injured by a driver who not yielded right-of-way.

Overall, the results of this study suggest that short-term power mobility and socialization training is feasible for preschoolers with CP in certain classroom environments. The next research study should examine the effectiveness of training and outcomes for this type of intervention in children with CP. This will hopefully lead to the development of more standardized training protocols for this population.