Power Mobility and Safety Concerns
Power mobility allows people who are in long-term care to take part in their routine activities and leisure pursuits. The devices can also pose safety risks, which need to be addressed.
The majority of participants choose to take a teleological approach and provide all residents with the opportunity to test a device, rather than restrict residents with certain diagnosis that could be viewed as a prejudicial risk management.
Mobility
A power mobility device allows those who are unable to move about their home or community and engage in daily activities that would otherwise be not accessible to them. 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 examine each client's safety requirements to provide the most appropriate recommendations for powered mobility.
In an exploratory study carried out by OTs at three residential facilities of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, qualitative interviews were conducted with residents to evaluate their use of power mobility. The goal was to develop a framework for client-centered power mobility 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 greatly improve the quality of life for people who are mobility-challenged by permitting them to take part in a variety of daily living activities both at home and in the community (Brandt, 2001; Evans, 2000). Participation in self-care or leisure activities, as well as productive ones is essential for physical and mental health for older adults, and for those who are suffering from progressive illnesses, power mobility offers the opportunity to keep participating in these vital activities.
Many participants considered it unacceptable to take away a resident's chair, as this would cause a major change in their life or path and prevent them from pursuing the same activities they were doing prior to their disease progression. This was especially the case for those in the Facility 1, who had been in a position to use their power chairs for brief periods of time and were dependent on others to move them around the facility.
Another potential solution was reducing the speed at which residents drove their chairs, but this raised a number of issues such as a lack of privacy and impact on other people in the community. Ultimately, removing the chair of a resident was deemed the most drastic and least preferred solution to safety concerns.
Safety
Power mobility lets people move more freely. They can also take part in a broader range of activities and complete errands. With the increased mobility comes an increased chance of accidents. For some, these accidents can cause serious injuries to themselves or others. It is crucial to think about the safety of your clients before suggesting power mobility.
First, determine whether mymobilityscooters is able to safely use their power chair or scooter. Depending on the nature of their impairment and the condition of their current health, this might require a physical examination by an occupational or physician therapist, or an interview with a mobility expert to determine whether a specific device would be appropriate for them. In some instances, your client will need a lift for their vehicle to be capable of loading and unloading the mobility device at their home, community or workplace.
Learning the rules of road safety is another aspect of safety. This involves sharing space with other pedestrians, other wheelchair users, and drivers of cars, trucks or buses. The majority of participants in the study discussed this topic.
For some, this required learning to drive their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving through areas that were crowded or over curbs (unless specifically designed to do so). Others drove more cautiously and kept an eye out for pedestrians in a crowded environment.
The final and least preferred option was to remove 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.
Participants also suggested that residents, family members, and staff members be trained on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as the correct side to walk on in the hallway) as well as encouraging residents to practice driving when they leave and assisting them to be aware of how their actions affect the mobility of other people.
Follow-Up
A power mobility device can have a profound impact on the child's ability to function and be a part of life. There has been little research into the experiences children go through when they first learn to utilize these devices. This study employs the post-previous method to analyze the effects of 6 months of experience with one of four early mobility devices on a school-aged group of children suffering from severe cerebral palsy (CP).
We conducted qualitative interviews with 15 parents, and also pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes. The first theme, 'Power to move', described how the use of a powered device affected more than just locomotor abilities. The experience of learning how to drive a powered mobility device is usually an emotional and transformative experience.
The second theme 'There's no recipe book' revealed that learning to make use of the mobility device was a process that developed in a cyclical manner over time. Therapists were tasked with unearthing what was appropriate for each child's needs and abilities. Through the training and post-training phases, therapists were also expected to be patient with parents and children. Many parents and therapists mentioned a need to help families celebrate successes and problem-solve problems that arise from the training process.
The third theme, "Shared space", examined how the use of a power device can impact the lives of others. The majority of the participants in this study believed that one must be mindful of others when using their power mobility device. This was particularly relevant when driving on roads that are public. Several participants also noted that they've encountered instances where another's property was damaged due to the use of a power mobility device, or where a person was injured by a driver who had failed to yield right-of-way.
Overall, the results of this study suggest that short-term socialization and power mobility training is possible for preschoolers with CP in certain classroom settings. Future research should continue to examine the effectiveness of training and outcomes for this kind of intervention in children with CP. This could eventually lead to more standardized training protocols for children who have CP.