5 Power Mobility Projects For Any Budget

Power Mobility and Safety Concerns

Power mobility allows those in long-term care to participate in their daily activities and leisure activities. The devices can also create safety risks, which need to be addressed.

The majority of participants choose to adopt a teleological view and provide all residents with the chance to try a device, rather than restrict residents with certain diagnoses that could be viewed as a prejudicial risk management.

Mobility

A power mobility device is an option for those with limited mobility to move around in their home or community and also to take part in everyday activities that they may not be able to perform. These devices can pose a risk not only for the person who uses them but also to others who are in their the space. Occupational therapists must carefully assess the safety requirements of each client prior to making recommendations regarding powered mobility.

In an exploratory study conducted by OTs in three residential care facilities of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, qualitative interviews were conducted with residents to assess the extent to which they used power mobility. The goal was to create a framework that could allow for client-centred power movement prescribing. The findings revealed four main themes: (1) power mobility meaning, (2) learning road rules, (3) red flags safety concerns, and (4) solutions.

Power mobility can dramatically improve the quality of life for those who have limited mobility, giving them the opportunity to participate in a range of daily life activities, at home as well as in the community (Brandt, 2001; Evans, 2000). Participation in self-care, productive and leisure occupations is essential to physical and mental health for older adults, and for those with chronic illnesses power mobility can be a way to continue participating in these vital activities.

Participants found it unacceptable to remove a resident's wheelchair, as this would disrupt their life's narrative and direction and hinder them from engaging in the same things they did before their disease progressed. This was especially applicable to those in Facility 1 who had been allowed to use their power chairs for a brief period and were now reliant on others to push them.

Another possible solution is to limit the speed at which residents drove their chairs, however this raised a number of issues such as a lack of privacy and the impact on other residents in the community. The most drastic solution to safety concerns was to remove the wheelchair of a resident.

Safety

Power mobility lets people move more easily. They are also able to participate in a wider range of activities, and run the errands. With increased mobility comes an increased chance of accidents. For some, these accidents could cause serious injuries to themselves and others. It is important to think about the safety of your clients prior to suggesting the use of power mobility.

First, determine whether your client is able to safely use their power chair or scooter. Depending on their impairment and the state of their health, this could involve a physical evaluation by a physician or occupational therapist, or having a conversation with a mobility expert to determine whether a specific device would be appropriate for them. In certain situations the use of a vehicle lift may be required to make it possible for your client to unload and load their mobility device at home or in the community at work.

Another aspect of safety is to learn the rules of the road. This involves sharing space with other pedestrians, wheelchair users, and drivers of cars, trucks or buses. green power of participants in the study discussed this topic.

For some, this required learning to use their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving through busy areas or over curbs (unless specifically designed to do so). For others this meant driving more slowly in a busy environment and keeping an eye out for people walking.

The final and least desired option was taking away a person's chair, which was viewed as a two-fold penalty loss of mobility independent and preventing access to facilities and community activities. Diane and Harriet among others were among those who had their chairs removed.

The participants also suggested that residents, family members, and staff members be informed about the proper use of power mobility. This could include educating residents on the basics of driving (such as driving on the right side of the hallway) as well as encouraging residents to practice driving strategies when they go out and helping them to understand how their actions can affect other people's mobility.

Follow-Up

A power mobility device can significantly impact the ability of a child to function and take part in life. However, very little research has been conducted on the experience of children who are learning to use this device. This study employs an approach that is pre-post to study the effects of six months' experience using one of four early power mobility devices on a group of school-aged children with severe cerebral palsy (CP).

We conducted interviews in qualitative format with 15 parents as well as occupational and physical therapists who work with children. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes. The first theme, 'Power for Mobility The theme described how the use of an electric device impacted more than just locomotor skills. The process of learning to drive a powered mobility device can be an emotional and transformative experience.

The second theme , 'There's no cookbook' revealed that the process of learning to utilize the mobility device was a process that unfolded in a cyclical manner over time. Therapists were required to determine what was realistic in light of the child's capabilities and needs. Through the training and post-training phases, therapists were also required to be patient with children and parents. Parents and therapists alike described the need to assist families celebrate their successes and resolve issues that arise from the process of training.

The third theme, "Shared space", looked at how the use of a power device can impact other people's lives and interactions. The majority of participants in this study felt that people must be mindful of other people when using their mobility device. This is especially important when driving in public areas. Participants also mentioned that they had seen situations where property of someone else's had been damaged by the use of a motorized device or an individual had been injured by a motorist who didn't yield the right of way.

The results of this study indicate that power mobility and socialization training for preschoolers with CP can be conducted in certain classroom environments. Future research should continue to explore the effects of training and results of this kind of intervention with young children with CP. This could lead to the development of more standard training protocols for this group.