Week 12 Flashcards
Purpose of wheelchairs?
Used to enhance function, improve independence, enable independent mobility in the home or community
What percent of the cost of the wheelchair is covered by the province, and what percent is paid out of pocket?
75% –> province
25% –> out of pocket
What are the different wheelchair types?
Manual vs power
Cushions: gel, air, foam, tilt wheelchairs
Different back rests
Bariatric, regular, smaller sized
Manual assistance
What is a Type 1 wheelchair?
- Standard wheelchair
- Few movingparts
- For basic & occasional use
- Self-propelling: UE or LE
–> transport wheelchairs used at airports, hospitals, museums
What is a type 2 wheelchair?
- Lighter weight than type 1
- For active users
- Daily use of wheelchair
- Adjustable parts: back rest, arm rests, vertical adjustments to make the w/c higher or lower.
–> Self-propelling : UE and LE
What is a type 3 wheelchair?
- Includes all descriptions of Type 2 + more specific adaptations to the client’s needs
- Lighter weight than type 2
- For very active users
- Mostly upper extremity propelling
Features:
- Anti-tippers (to prevent falls)
- Quick release axels for quick and tool-free removal of the wheels
- Adjustable centre of gravity
What is a type 4 wheelchair?
Performance wheelchair
- Ultra light materials (less than 25 lbs)
- For every day and very active users
- Rigid frame (non folding)
- Fixed foot rests
- Upper extremity propelling
What is a type 5 wheelchair?
- Tilt in space wheelchairs
- the entire seat and self-propel tilt in space to offer support and positioning to clients who often cannot move on their own.
- Heavy , difficult to self-propel
- Some removable parts
- Tilt – the entire chair tilts
- Recline – the back angle increases – reclines back
What are power wheelchairs?
- For clients who are not able to propel wheelchair manually for a variety of reasons (e.g. strength, endurance)
- Features – joy stick, sip and puff, head control
- Speed adjustable
- Must consider cognition !
What is a scooter?
- Usually ambulatory population: bariatric clientele, poor endurance
- Features: steering wheel, pivoting seat
- Battery needs to be charged
- Must consider cognition !
What is the purpose of wheelchair cushions?
- Effectively distribute body weight over a larger surface area of the buttocks
- Improve posture, balance, and comfort
- Decrease and prevent pressure on bony areas
What is the main function of gel cushions?
prevent pressure injuries
Gel does not help/cure existing pressure injuries
What is something you need to be careful of with air wheelchair cushions?
Bottoming out (do not want this, need to be careful)
What are some factors to consider when picking out a wheelchair seat?
- Activity level: time spent sitting
- Body type
- Ability to transfer
- Tendency to perspire
- Ability to control bladder , bowel
- Ability to care for for the cushion
- Pressure relief required
What are the benefits of a proper fitting wheelchair?
- Prevention of deformities
- Prevention of pressure injuries
- Maximizes sitting tolerance
- Optimizes respiratory function
- Provides proper body alignment
- Maximizes function and independence
