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Power Seat Lift-Advantages and Disadvantages

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS

October 13, 2015

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Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a power seat lift?

Answer

Power Elevate

A power seating option is power elevate.  The seating angles, as in tilt, remain the same at the hips, the knees, and the ankles, but the seat to floor height increases.  Driving is usually possible while elevated.  Depending on the system, the driving speed may automatically be reduced while the chair is elevated, because it is inherently less stable.

Advantages.  One of the main justifications is this extends functional reach for the client.  Things that were out of reach may now become in reach, if the client has the motor ability, by changing the seat to floor height.  Changing the seat to floor height also helps optimize transfers, particularly when the client is transferring to various height surfaces.  The height of the toilet, the height of the bath seat, and the height of the bed may all be different and this allows the client to find that optimal height for that transfer.  It also provides access to a variety of height work surfaces and this is where I think that power elevate can be particularly helpful with children.  Children may go from a small desk, to a counter-height table in Art class, and then to the dining room table at home.  This provides access to those varying heights.  By raising the height of the system, the client now has better visual regard of their environment and certainly better social interaction.  These two justifications are not always very helpful from a funding standpoint, but they are certainly benefits to our client.

Disadvantages.  The main disadvantage of power elevate is the price.  It is very difficult to get funding for these.  Also there are only certain power wheelchairs that offer this feature and so we might be limited in the bases that we choose.  The initial seat to floor height might also start off a little higher, when we add this to a base.


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

Dynamic Seating
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3093Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Excellent presentation and valuable information'   Read Reviews
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

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3098Level: Intermediate2 Hours
  'Applicable and practical knowledge was added'   Read Reviews
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

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3157Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'clarity of speaker, calm voice, easy to follow'   Read Reviews
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.

Wheelchair Seating: Considerations for the Hands-Free Sitter
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3585Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'It was very well organized'   Read Reviews
Wheelchair seating is designed to provide postural support and alignment, stability for function and mitigate pressure issues. This course will address assessment and intervention when working with a client who can sit without the support of their hands, referred to as the ‘hands-free’ sitter.

The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) Certification: An Overview
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #3586Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'obvious good knowledge about material from presenter, including personal experiencewell organized content'   Read Reviews
The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification recognizes competence in assessment and intervention. This course will cover what this certification is, who the SMS is designed for, why it was developed, why the SMS may be beneficial to a clinician and how to acquire this certification.

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