Power Mobility and Safety Concerns
Power mobility improves participation in daily activities and activities for people who are in long-term care. These devices also raise safety risks, which need to be addressed.
The majority of participants opt to adopt a teleological perspective and allow all residents the chance to test a device, rather than exclude those with specific diagnosis which could be considered a risk management decision that is prejudicial.
Mobility
A power mobility device provides a way for people who are unable to move about their home or community, and to participate in everyday activities that they may not be able to participate in. These devices could pose a risk not only for the person who uses them, but also to those who are in their environment. Occupational therapists should carefully consider the safety requirements of each client prior to making recommendations about powered mobility.
In an exploratory study (von Zweck 1999), OTs from three residential care facilities of the 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 results revealed four major themes: (1) power mobility meaning, (2) learning road rules, (3) red flags - safety concerns and (4) solutions.
Power mobility can boost the quality of life for individuals who have mobility limitations. This is due to the fact that it allows them to take part in daily activities at home and in the community. Self-care, active and recreational jobs are essential for the physical and mental health of people who are older. For many who suffer from progressive diseases, power mobilty offers a way to participate in these essential activities.
Most participants found it unacceptable to take away a resident's chair, as it would result in a significant disruption in their life story or trajectory and essentially prevent them from pursuing the same activities that they had been doing before their illness progressed. This was especially applicable to those in the Facility 1 who had only been able use their power chairs for a short time and were now reliant on others to push them.
Another option is to limit the speed at which residents drive their chairs. However, this could raise various issues like privacy and the impact on the rest of the community. In the end, taking away a resident's chair was considered the most drastic and least desired solution to security concerns.
Safety
Power mobility lets people move more freely. They can also participate in a broader range of activities, as well as run the errands. However, with increased mobility comes a higher risk of accidents. These accidents can cause serious injuries for certain. It is essential to consider the safety of your clients prior to recommending the use of power mobility.
The first step in determining safety is to determine whether your client is safe to operate their power scooter or power chair. Depending on the severity of their disability and current health, this may involve a physical evaluation by a doctor or occupational therapist, as well as an interview with a mobility expert to determine if a particular device is appropriate for them. In some instances the use of a vehicle lift may be required to allow for your client to load and unload their mobility device at home in the community, or at work.
Another aspect of safety is to learn the rules of the road. This includes sharing space with other wheelchair users, pedestrians and the bus drivers. A majority of the participants have mentioned this issue.
For some this, it meant learning to use their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving through busy areas or over curbs (unless specifically designed for doing so). Others drove more slowly and paid attention to pedestrians in a crowd.
The last and least preferred option that was to take away the wheelchair of a person was viewed as a double whammy: losing independence in mobility and preventing them from participating in the activities of the community and facilities. Diane and Harriet among others were among the participants who were stripped of their chairs.
The participants also suggested that family members, and staff be educated on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as using the correct side of the hallway), encouraging residents to practice driving techniques when they go out and helping them to 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 participate in life. However, very little research has been conducted on the experiences of children who are learning to use this device. This study uses the post-previous method to analyze the effects of six months of using one of four early mobility devices on a group of school-aged children of children with severe cerebral Palsy (CP).
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents as well as pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes. The first, 'Power in mobility explained how the use of a powered device changed more than just locomotor abilities. Learning to drive a mobility device was often an emotional and transformative journey for participants.
The second theme, 'There's not a cookbook,' revealed that the process of learning to use a power mobility device was an individual process that unfolded over time in a cycle. electric power scooters were tasked with unearthing what was realistic for each child's needs and abilities. During the training phase and following, therapists were required to be patient with children as well as parents. Therapists and parents alike spoke of the need to assist families celebrate their successes and resolve issues that arise from the process of training.
green power electric scooter , "Shared space", explored how the use an electric device can affect other people's lives and interactions. The majority of participants in this study believed that people should always be considerate when using a device that is powered by electricity. This is particularly true when driving in public spaces. Participants also mentioned that they've witnessed situations in which property belonging to someone else had been damaged by the use a power mobility device or a person had been injured by a driver who didn't yield the right of way.
The results of this study indicate that socialization and power mobility training for preschoolers with CP can be done in certain classroom environments. The next research study should study the training and results for this kind of intervention for children with CP. This could eventually lead to more standardized training protocols for children who have CP.