Power Mobility and Safety Concerns
Power mobility allows those who are in long-term care in their routine activities and leisure activities. These devices also raise safety concerns, which must be addressed.
The majority of participants opt to take a teleological approach and give all residents the chance to test the device, instead of exclude those with specific diagnoses that could be viewed as a risk management decision that is prejudicial.
Mobility
A power mobility device is a method for people who are unable to move around in their home or community and also to take part in activities of daily living that they might not otherwise be able to participate in. These devices can pose a risk not only to the person using them, but also to other people who share their space or the space. Occupational therapists must carefully evaluate the safety needs of each client to make the best suggestions regarding powered mobility.
In a study that was conducted by OTs at three residential care facilities of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, qualitative interviews were conducted with residents to assess their use of power mobility. The goal was to create a framework that would allow for a client-centered power movement prescription. The results revealed four major themes: (1) power mobility meaning, (2) learning road rules, (3) red flags - safety concerns and (4) solutions.
Power mobility can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility by permitting them to take part in a variety of daily living activities, both at home and in the community (Brandt 2001; Evans, 2000). Self-care, active and recreational jobs are essential for the physical and mental health of people who are older. For many who suffer from advanced illnesses, power mobility can be a means to participate in these important activities.
The majority of participants felt it was not acceptable to remove the chair of a resident, since this could cause a huge interruption to their life or course of action, and ultimately stop them from continuing with the same activities that they had been doing before their disease progression. This was especially the case for those in the Facility 1, who had been able to maintain their chairs for short periods of time, but were forced to rely on others to push them around the facility.
Another solution would be to reduce the speed that some residents drive their chairs. However, this could raise various issues like privacy and the impact on the rest of the community. The most drastic solution to safety concerns was to get rid of a resident's wheelchair.
Safety
Power mobility allows people to move more easily. They can also take part in a broader range of activities, and do the errands. However, with greater freedom of movement comes a greater chance of accidents. mymobilityscooters could result in serious injuries for a few. It is essential to consider the safety of your clients prior to suggesting the use of power mobility.
The first step in determining security is to determine if your client is able to safely operate their scooter or power wheelchair. This could involve an assessment of physical health 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, your client will need a vehicle lift to be able to load and unload the mobility device at workplace, home, or community.
Understanding the rules of road safety is an additional aspect of safety. This includes sharing space with pedestrians, other wheelchair users and drivers of cars, trucks or buses. A majority of the participants discussed this topic.
For some this, it meant learning to drive their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving through busy areas or over curbs (unless specifically designed for doing so). Others drove more slowly and kept an eye out for pedestrians in an area that was crowded.
The final and least preferred option was taking away the chair of a person. This was viewed as a two-fold penalty: losing independent mobility and preventing access to facilities and community activities. Diane and Harriet among others were among those who were stripped of their chairs.
Other solutions that were suggested by participants included educating other residents, family members and staff on the proper operation of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as the correct side to walk on in a hallway) and encouraging residents to practice driving techniques while outside and assisting them to be aware of how their actions affect other people's mobility.
Follow-Up
A power mobility device can have a profound impact on the ability of a child to function and take part in life. Yet little research has been done about the experience of children who are learning to use this device. This study employs an approach that is post-previous to study the effects of six months of experience with one of the four early mobility devices on a school-aged group of children suffering from severe cerebral Palsy (CP).
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents and pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis identified three main themes. The first, 'Power in mobility explained the ways in which powered devices affected more than just the locomotor abilities. Learning to drive a mobility device can be an emotional, transformative journey for participants.
The second theme, 'There's no such thing as any cookbook,' revealed that the process of learning how to utilize the power mobility device was a bespoke process that evolved over time in a cyclical fashion. Therapists were charged with determining the most appropriate solution for each child's needs and abilities. During the training phase, and following, therapists were required to be patient with children and parents. Therapists and parents alike emphasized the need to assist families celebrate their accomplishments and address issues related to the process of training.
The third theme, "Shared space", explored how the use a power device can impact other people's lives and interactions. The majority of participants in this study believed one must be mindful of others when using their power mobility device. This was especially true when driving in public spaces. Many participants also reported that they had encountered situations in which someone else's property was damaged due to the use of an electric mobility device, or where a person was injured by a driver who had failed to yield right-of-way.
The results of this study indicate that socialization and power mobility training for preschoolers with CP can be carried out in certain classroom settings. Future research should continue to investigate the effectiveness of training and outcomes of this type of intervention for young children with CP. This could eventually lead to more standardized training protocols for children suffering from CP.