Services
Mobility and Wheelchair Seating
Mobility and wheelchair seating are vital aids that empower individuals facing significant mobility challenges. They are instrumental in preserving their independence and health management while prioritizing comfort. An optimal seating system plays a crucial role in preventing pressure ulcers, alleviating pain, and promoting proper posture, ultimately fostering a greater sense of control over one's well-being.
Identifying poor posture is crucial to understanding how ill-fitting wheelchair components can contribute to it and increase the risk of pressure-related injuries.
Examples of poor posture
- Pelvic Obliquities: Where one side of the pelvis is higher than the other, leading to an uneven weight distribution and potential spinal curvature.
- Scoliosis: An abnormal sideways curvature of the spine.
- Kyphosis: An excessive outward curvature of the spine, resulting in a rounded upper back or "hunchback."
- Lordosis: An excessive inward curvature of the lower spine, often referred to as "swayback."
- Posterior Pelvic Tilt: This occurs when the pelvis rotates backward, causing the tailbone to tuck under and often resulting in a flattening of the natural curve in the lower back. Effects can include increased pressure on the sacrum and coccyx, hamstring tightness, and a tendency to slump forward in the wheelchair, potentially affecting breathing and digestion.
- Anterior Pelvic Tilt: This occurs when the pelvis rotates forward, causing an exaggerated inward curve in the lower back (increased lordosis). Effects can include increased pressure on the ischial tuberosities and pubic symphysis, tight hip flexors, a protruding abdomen, and potential for lower back pain.
Mobility and Seating Solutions:
Coverage varies depending on the medical aid provider and the documented medical necessity. A thorough evaluation and justification are usually required.
Walking Aids
- Providing support and stability for individuals with balance issues, leg weakness, or arthritis. Options include:
- Canes/Walking Sticks: Offering single-point support for improved balance.
- Walking Frames (Standard): Providing a wider base of support for increased stability.
- Rollators: Wheeled walkers with hand brakes and often a seat, allowing for rest stops.
- Reverse Walkers: Designed for individuals who tend to lean forward, promoting a more upright posture.
Crutches
Assisting with balance and weight distribution, commonly used during recovery from injury or surgery.
Adaptive Strollers and Buggies
Specifically designed to accommodate the postural support needs of children and adults with disabilities.
Standing Frames
Assistive devices that enable individuals who typically use wheelchairs to achieve a standing position, offering benefits such as improved circulation, bone density, and respiratory function.
Pressure Management Seating and Surfaces
- Engineered to maximize comfort and support during extended periods of sitting or lying down. This includes:
- Pressure Relief Cushions: Designed to redistribute pressure and minimize the risk of pressure ulcers.
- Pressure Redistribution Mattresses: Offering similar benefits for individuals who spend significant time in bed.
Specialized Back Supports
Contoured and often adjustable backrests that provide enhanced postural support and cushioning while seated. These can be rigid or semi-rigid to meet individual needs.
Bathroom and Toileting Aids
A variety of devices designed to promote safe and independent use of bathroom facilities, maintaining privacy and dignity for individuals with reduced mobility. Examples include commode chairs, raised toilet seats, grab bars, and transfer benches.
How do you know you need wheeled mobility?
Recognizing the need for wheeled mobility is a significant step towards regaining control over one's movement and independence. Wheeled mobility solutions, such as manual and power wheelchairs with customizable seating and positioning systems, as well as alternative mobility aids like specialized strollers and standing frames, become necessary when an individual is primarily non-ambulatory and experiences factors that compromise their safety and functional mobility.
This can include situations where:
- Walking is no longer a safe or efficient means of independent movement.
- Endurance for ambulation is significantly limited.
- Balance issues or the risk of falls are high during attempts to walk.
- Pain or discomfort restricts the ability to walk.
- Progression of a condition leads to increasing difficulty or inability to walk.
What is a seating evaluation/ assessment?
A seating system evaluation is a comprehensive and individualized assessment conducted by a qualified clinician to determine the most appropriate seating and positioning system for an individual who uses or will use a wheelchair or other mobility device.
The evaluation goes beyond simply prescribing a wheelchair. It is crucial because it:
- Addresses Individual Needs: Clinicians take a holistic approach, thoroughly assessing the person's unique physical abilities (e.g., muscle strength, range of motion, sensation, reflexes), functional limitations, postural issues (like pelvic obliquities, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, anterior or posterior pelvic tilt), skin integrity risk, pain levels, respiratory and digestive considerations, and overall health status.
- Considers Lifestyle and Goals: The evaluation also takes into account the individual's lifestyle, daily activities, environments they navigate (home, work, community), transportation needs, and personal goals for mobility and participation.
- Optimizes Comfort and Function: The primary aim is to recommend a seating system that maximizes comfort, supports proper posture and alignment, and facilitates optimal functional abilities, such as reaching, transferring, and interacting with their environment.
- Prevents Secondary Complications: An appropriately designed seating system is vital in preventing or minimizing the risk of serious secondary complications, including:
- Pressure Ulcers (Pressure Sores): By ensuring proper weight distribution and reducing pressure on bony prominences.
- Pain: By providing adequate support and correcting postural imbalances.
- Skeletal Deformities: By promoting and accommodating optimal spinal alignment.
- Respiratory and Digestive Issues: By supporting an upright and stable posture.
- Contractures and Muscle Imbalances: By maintaining proper joint alignment and reducing abnormal muscle tone.
- Ensures Proper Equipment Selection: Based on the comprehensive assessment, clinicians can recommend the most suitable type of wheelchair (manual or power), seating components (cushion, backrest, lateral supports, headrest, etc.), and positioning accessories.
- Facilitates Independence and Safety: A well-fitted seating system enhances the user's ability to manoeuvre their wheelchair efficiently and safely, promoting greater independence in daily tasks and reducing the risk of falls or injuries.
- Supports Caregiver Training: The evaluation process often includes education and training for family members and caregivers on the proper use, adjustment, and maintenance of the equipment, ensuring they can effectively support the user.
- Justifies Equipment Funding: For many funding sources, a thorough seating evaluation with clear documentation of medical necessity and functional benefits is required to obtain approval for specialized mobility equipment.
FAQ
Are there alternatives to manual wheelchairs?
- Mobility scooter
- Motorised wheelchairs
- Power assist devices
Will my medical aid cover a seating system evaluation and equipment?
Coverage varies depending on the medical aid provider and the documented medical necessity. A thorough evaluation and justification are usually required.
We are dedicated to improving your mobility and quality of life.
With personalized prosthetic and orthotic solutions, we strive to help you achieve greater independence, comfort, and confidence. Together, we will move forward—one step at a time. This commitment is at the heart of everything we do.
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