Power Mobility and Safety Concerns
Power mobility can enhance participation in daily activities and activities for people who are in long-term care. However, the devices could also cause safety issues that must be addressed.
Most participants chose to take a teleological approach and allow all residents the chance to try the device, instead of exclude those with specific diagnoses that could be viewed as a prejudicial risk management.
Mobility
A power mobility device is an option for those who are unable to move about their community or home, and to participate in daily activities that they would not be able to participate in. These devices can be a danger not just to the person using them, but also to other people who share their space or environment. Occupational therapists must carefully evaluate the safety needs of each client to make the most appropriate recommendations for powered mobility.
In are green power mobility scooters any good mymobilityscooters (von Zweck, 1999), OTs from three residential care facilities in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority conducted qualitative interviews with residents regarding their use of power mobility. The objective was to establish an environment that allowed for a client-centered power movement prescription. 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 improve the quality of life for individuals who have mobility limitations. This is because it lets them participate in daily activities at home and in the community. Self-care, productive and recreational jobs are essential for the mental and physical health of the elderly. For many with advanced illnesses, power mobility offers a way to participate in these essential activities.
The majority of participants felt it was not acceptable to remove the resident's chair since this could cause a huge disruption in their life story or trajectory and essentially prevent them from pursuing the same activities that they used to do prior to their illness progressed. This was especially the case for those in Facility 1 who were able to maintain their power chairs for brief durations and were forced to rely on other residents to push them around the facility.
Another option is to reduce the speed that some residents drive their chairs. However this could cause a number issues such as privacy and the impact on the rest of the community. In the end, taking away the chair of a resident was thought to be the most drastic and least preferred solution to security concerns.
Safety
Power mobility allows people to move around more freely. They can also participate in a broader range of activities, and do errands. However, with greater mobility comes a greater risk for accidents. These accidents could result in serious injuries for some. This is why it is vital to consider the safety of your client before suggesting they use a power mobility.
First check whether your client can safely operate their power chair or scooter. Depending on the nature of their condition and their the condition of their current health, this might require a physical examination by an occupational or physician therapist, as well as an interview with a mobility specialist to determine if a specific device is suitable for them. In some instances your client may require a vehicle lift to be able to load and unload the mobility device at their home, workplace or community.
Learning the rules of road safety is an additional aspect of safety. This includes sharing space with other pedestrians, wheelchair users, and drivers of trucks, cars or buses. The majority of participants in the study have mentioned this issue.
For some it required learning to use their wheelchairs on sidewalks, instead of driving through areas that were crowded or over curbs (unless specifically designed for doing this). For others it meant driving cautiously in a noisy environment and watching out for pedestrians.
The last and least preferred option of removing the wheelchair of a person, was viewed as a double punishment as it would mean losing mobility and preventing the person from participating in community and facility activities. Diane and Harriet, among others, were among those who had their chairs taken away.
Participants also suggested that family members, and staff members be trained on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching driving basics (such as which side to walk on in the hallway) as well as encouraging residents to practice driving techniques when they leave and assisting them to be aware of how their actions affect other people's mobility.
Follow-Up
A child's ability and willingness to participate in life can be greatly affected by a power mobility device. However, very little research has been conducted about the experience of children who are learning to use this equipment. This study employs a pre-post design to examine 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).
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents as well as pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis identified three major themes. The first, 'Power in Mobility,' described the ways in which powered devices changed more than just a child's motor skills. The process of learning to operate a powered mobility device is usually an emotional and transformative one.
The second theme, 'There isn't any cookbook,' revealed that the process of learning how to utilize the power mobility device was an individualized process that developed over time in a cycle. Therapists were required to discover the most appropriate solution for each child's needs and abilities. In the initial phase of training and afterwards, therapists needed to be patient with children and parents. A number of parents and therapists emphasized the need to assist families celebrate their successes and solve problems that arise from the process of training.
The third theme, "Shared space", examined how the use of a power device can impact other people's lives and interactions. The majority of the participants in this study believed that people should be considerate when using a power device. This is especially important when driving in public areas. Several participants also noted that they've had to deal with instances where another's property was damaged through the use of a power mobility device, or where a person was injured by a driver who not yielded the right-of-way.
The results of this study show that power mobility and socialization training for preschoolers with CP can be conducted in specific classroom settings. Future research should be focused on the effects of training and results of this kind of intervention for children with CP. This could lead to more standardized training protocols for children who have CP.