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Power Mobility

Power Mobility
Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
August 10, 2015
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Learning Objectives

Our learning objectives for this course are that the participant will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast clinical indicators for scooters and power wheelchairs.
  • List three readiness indicators for power mobility.
  • List three power wheelchair alternative drive methods.  

Categories of Power Mobility

Power mobility devices fall into two main categories: power-operated vehicles or scooters and power wheelchairs.  Medicare refers to scooters as power-operated vehicles or POVs.  Each of these is designed to provide independent mobility using a motorized mobility base.

Goals of Power Mobility

Power mobility devices are designed to provide independent mobility to a client who is unable to self-propel a manual wheelchair or unable to self-propel a manual wheelchair efficiently.  There are some clients that we work with who can use a manual wheelchair, but perhaps not efficiently, safely, in a timely manner, without undue fatigue, or without undue cardiopulmonary effort.   If it is taking our client too much time or too much effort to complete the task, then this is not an efficient means of propulsion.  

Power Mobility Assessment

Clients who have an array of diagnoses and ages use power mobiity devices.  Clients having difficulty achieving independent, efficient mobility with other mobility options are the ones that may need power mobility.  Assessment of power mobility, just like assessment for more complex manual wheelchairs, is typically done with the wheelchair supplier.  Power wheelchairs tend to fall into two main categories: consumer level power wheelchairs and complex rehab power chairs.  Any power mobility device, whether it is a scooter or a power wheelchair, falls into an area of equipment where typically an ATP (Assistive Technology Practitioner) or a SMS (Seating and Mobility Specialist) may be involved.  We discussed those certifications in our last course.  It is very important to have competent team members involved so that the client is truly getting their very best solution.  When considering a power mobility device, the assessment needs to include several key items.  First, if this is the client’s initial power mobility device, we need to determine if the client is ready.  This is very pertinent with children.  Is this child ready for a power mobility device?  Once we determine that the client is ready for power mobility, we then have to determine what the best power mobility base is, including the optimal seating and best driving method.  For a lot of clients, the driving method will be a joystick, but not for all of our clients.  We also have to determine if power seating is required.  This can include features like a power tilt or power recline, and other related options that are available.


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle is an occupational therapist with 25 years of experience and former Clinical Director of The Assistive Technology Clinics of The Children’s Hospital of Denver. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally and has authored 7 book chapters and over 175 articles. She is the editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA and the University of Pittsburgh. She is on the RERC on Wheeled Mobility Advisory Board. Michelle is a credentialed ATP, credentialed SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.



Related Courses

Sensory Technologies: Preparing for the ATP Exam
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #2630Level: Introductory1 Hour
The RESNA Assistive Technology Professional certification examination includes questions from a variety of content areas. One of those areas is Sensory Technologies. This module will cover the content area including technologies for people who are hard of hearing, deaf, have low vision, are blind or who are deaf blind.

A New Era: From EADLs to Alexa!
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3699Level: Intermediate1 Hour
Electronic Aids to Daily Living provide an alternative means of controlling devices, primarily within the home environment, including audiovisual equipment, lighting, and thermostats. Advances in consumer home automation technologies have opened new control opportunities for people with disabilities. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.

Dynamic Seating
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3093Level: Intermediate1 Hour
Dynamic seating has four primary functions – to allow movement, to diffuse force, to protect the client, and to protect the seating system and mounting hardware. This course will take a look at the product options, discuss clinical indicators and contra-indicators for dynamic components and present case studies to illustrate these points.

Positioning the Head
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3098Level: Intermediate2 Hours
This course will discuss various strategies to optimize head position. First, we will explore strategies beyond the head support, including specific positioning interventions and addressing visual issues. Second, we will explore posterior head supports in depth, matching specific features to client needs. Third, we will explore other options which may be required if posterior support alone is inadequate, including anterior head support.

Positioning the Pelvis
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar
Course: #3157Level: Intermediate1 Hour
The position of the pelvis very much determines the position of the trunk and lower extremities and so achieving and maintaining the optimal position is critical. This course will present common pelvic asymmetries with suggested strategies to address each challenge. Providing as neutral a pelvic position as possible improves overall posture, stability and function.

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