Power Mobility and Safety Concerns
Power mobility improves participation in daily activities and activities for people in long-term care. However, the devices can also create safety concerns which need to be addressed.
The majority of participants choose to take a teleological approach and allow all residents the chance to try devices, not to restrict residents with certain diagnosis which could be considered an unfair risk management.
Mobility
A power mobility device allows those who are disabled to move around their community or home and participate in daily living activities that might otherwise be impossible for them. These devices can cause danger not only to the individual using them, but also to other people who share their space or the space. Occupational therapists must be aware of the safety needs of each client prior to making recommendations on powered 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 aim was to develop a framework that would allow the use of power mobility that is centered on the needs of the client. The results revealed four main themes: (1) the meaning of power mobility, (2) learning the rules of the road, (3) red flags: concerns about safety and (4) solutions.
Power mobility can significantly increase quality of life for people who are mobility-challenged by permitting them to take part in a variety of daily life activities, both at home and in the community (Brandt, 2001; Evans, 2000). Self-care, productive and recreational jobs are essential for the physical and mental health of the elderly. For many who suffer from chronic illnesses, power mobility offers a way to participate in these vital activities.
The majority of participants felt it was not acceptable to remove the resident's chair since this could cause a huge interruption to their life or path and prevent them from continuing with the same activities they used to do prior to the progression of their illness. green power scooter reviews was particularly true for those in the Facility 1 who were only able use their power chairs for a short time and were now reliant on others to push them.
Another potential solution was reducing the speed at which some residents drove their chairs, however this led to a variety of issues such as privacy concerns and impact on other people in the community. In the end, taking away the chair of a resident was thought to be the most drastic and least desirable solution to safety concerns.
Safety
Power mobility lets people move more freely. They can also take part in a greater variety of activities, as well as do errands. However, with greater freedom of movement comes a greater risk for accidents. For some, these incidents could cause serious injuries to themselves or others. It is crucial to think about the safety of your clients prior to recommending power mobility.
First, determine if your client can safely operate their power chair or scooter. This could involve a physical assessment by a doctor or occupational therapist, or a mobility specialist, based on the nature of your client's impairment and their current health. In some instances the use of a vehicle lift may be required to allow for your client to unload and load their mobility device at home in the community, or at work.
Another aspect of safety is learning the rules of the road. This includes sharing space, with other wheelchair users, pedestrians, and bus drivers. Most participants in the study have mentioned this issue.
Some people learned to drive their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving through crowded areas or on curbs (unless the wheelchair was specially designed for this). Others drove more cautiously and kept an eye out for pedestrians in a crowded environment.
The final and least desired alternative was to take away the chair of a person. This was viewed as a double punishment loss of mobility independent and preventing access to facilities and community activities. Diane and Harriet among others were among the participants who had their chairs taken away.
The participants also suggested that family members, and staff be educated on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching the fundamentals of driving (such as using the correct side of a hallway) as well as encouraging residents to practice driving strategies when they leave and helping them understand how their actions can affect the mobility of others.
Follow-Up
A device that is powered by electricity can profoundly affect a child's ability to function and be a part of life. There has been little research into the experiences children experience when they learn to utilize these devices. This study uses an approach that is pre-post to study the impact of 6 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 and also occupational and physical therapists for children. Thematic analysis identified three major themes. The first theme, 'Power for mobility The theme described the ways that using the power of a device affected more than just motor skills. The experience of learning to drive a powered mobility device is often an emotional and transformative experience.
The second theme, 'There's no such thing as a recipe book,' showed that learning to utilize a power mobility device was an individual process that developed over time in a cyclical fashion. Therapists were tasked with unearthing what was realistic for each child's needs and abilities. Throughout the training and post-training phases, therapists were also expected to be patient with children and parents. Therapists and parents alike emphasized the need to help families celebrate their accomplishments and resolve issues that arise from the training process.
The third theme, "Shared space", explored how the use a power device can impact other people's interactions and lives. The majority of the participants in this study believed that people should always be mindful when using a device that is powered by electricity. This was especially relevant when driving on public roads. Several participants also noted that they've encountered instances where another's property was damaged through the use of an electric mobility device, or when a person was injured by a driver who failed to yield right-of-way.
Overall, the findings of this study suggest that short-term socialization and power mobility training appears feasible for preschoolers with CP in certain classroom environments. Future research should continue to examine the effectiveness of training and outcomes for this type of intervention in children with CP. This could lead to the development of more uniform training protocols for this group.