Power Mobility and Safety Concerns<br /><br />Power mobility allows those who are in long-term care to take part in their daily activities and leisure activities. However, the devices can also pose safety risks that must be addressed.<br /><br />The majority of participants choose to take a teleological approach and allow all residents the chance to test the device, instead of exclude those with specific diagnoses which could be considered a prejudicial risk management.<br /><br />Mobility<br /><br />A power mobility device enables people who are disabled to move about their homes or communities and participate in daily living activities that would otherwise be impossible for them. These devices can be a danger not just to the individual using them, but also to other people who are in their the space. Occupational therapists must carefully assess each client's safety needs to make the best suggestions regarding powered mobility.<br /><br />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 evaluate the extent to which they used power mobility. The aim was to develop an environment that allowed for client-centred power movement prescribing. The findings revealed four main themes: (1) power mobility meaning, (2) learning road rules, (3) red flags security concerns and (4) solutions.<br /><br />Power mobility can improve the quality of life of people with mobility limitations. This is due to the fact that it lets them participate in daily activities at home and within the community. Participation in self-care, productive and leisure occupations is essential to physical and mental health for older adults and for a lot of people who are suffering from progressive illnesses power mobility is the opportunity to keep participating in these important activities.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.mymobilityscooters.uk/brands/green-power">green mobility scooter My Mobility Scooters</a> found it unacceptable to remove a wheelchair from a resident's home in order to alter their life's narrative and direction and hinder them from engaging in the same things they had prior to their illness worsened. This was especially relevant to those in the Facility 1 who were capable of maintaining their power chairs for brief periods of time, but were forced to rely on other residents to help them move around the facility.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another option is 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. In the end, taking away a resident's chair was considered the most drastic and least desired solution to safety concerns.<br /><br />Safety<br /><br />Power mobility allows people to move more freely. They can also participate in a broader range of activities, and run the errands. With increased mobility comes an increased chance of accidents. These incidents can result in serious injuries for some. This is why it is important to think about the safety of your client prior to suggesting that they use a power mobility.<br /><br />First, determine whether your client is able to safely operate their scooter or power chair. Based on their impairment and the state of their health, this could require a physical examination by a physician or occupational therapist, or an interview with a mobility specialist to determine whether a specific device is appropriate for them. In certain situations your client may require an automobile lift to be able to load and unload the mobility device at home, community or workplace.<br /><br />Understanding the rules of road safety is another aspect of safety. This includes sharing space with other wheelchair users, pedestrians, and drivers of cars or buses. Most participants in the study discussed this topic.<br /><br />Some people learned to drive their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving in busy areas or on curbs (unless the wheelchair was specially made to be used in this way). For others, it meant driving more cautiously in a noisy environment and keeping an eye out for people walking.<br /><br />The final and least popular option of removing the wheelchair of a person was seen as a double-punishment that would result in the loss of mobility and preventing them from participating in activities with the community or at facilities. This was the viewpoint of most participants who were able to remove their chairs and included Diane and Harriet.<br /><br />Other solutions that were suggested by participants included educating other residents as well as family members and staff on the safe operation of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as using the right side of a hallway) and encouraging residents to practice driving strategies when they leave and helping them understand how their behavior can influence other people's mobility.<br /><br />Follow-Up<br /><br />A device that is powered by electricity can have a profound impact on the child's ability to function and be a part of life. There isn't much research on the experience that children experience when they learn to use these devices. This study uses 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 who suffer from severe cerebral Palsy (CP).<br /><br />We conducted interviews in qualitative format with 15 parents, along with occupational and physical therapists for children. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes. The first, 'Power in Mobility,' described the ways in which powered devices changed more than just locomotor abilities. Learning to drive a power mobility device was often an emotional, transformative journey for participants.<br /><br />The second theme, 'There isn't any cookbook,' revealed that learning to use a power mobility device was an individualized process that unfolded over time in a cycle. Therapists were tasked with unearthing what was realistic for the individual child's needs and abilities. Through the training and post-training phases, therapists were expected to be patient with children and parents. Therapists and parents alike emphasized the need to assist families celebrate their successes and resolve issues that arise from the process of training.<br /><br />The third theme, "Shared space", examined how the use of an electric device can affect other people's interactions and lives. The majority of the participants in this study believed that people should be mindful when using a power device. This was especially applicable when driving on roads that are public. Participants also said that they've witnessed situations where property of someone else's had been damaged by the use of a power mobility device or an individual had been injured by a driver who failed to yield the right of way.<br /><br />The results of this study suggest that power mobility and socialization training for preschoolers with CP can be done in a variety of classroom settings. The next research study should study the training and results for this type of intervention for children with CP. This will hopefully lead to the development of more uniform training protocols for this population.<br /><br />