There are a few fundamental factors to consider when choosing the right wheelchair:
- Does the chair provide maximum comfort?
- Does the chair minimise the risk of pressure sores?
- What materials are used in the chair?
A proper wheelchair assessment will ensure that the chair is the right size for the user, so let’s look at the more fundamental principles of what constitutes the right chair for the user.
Wheelchairs provide the function of mobility by allowing the user to get from one place to another.
This is achieved by a variety of methods:
- Self propelled
- Powered/motorised
- Attendant propelled
Given the length of time the user will spend in a wheelchair, it needs to provide maximum comfort, where possible. Wheelchairs can be highly adjustable, and the accurate measurement of the user is critical to ensuring suitable choice of equipment and correct setup.
Wheelchairs have to minimise the risk of pressure ulcers and skin damage as these can be highly detrimental conditions and can have serious consequences.
An important aspect in choosing a wheelchair is maximising body surface contact. This means that the weight of the user is distributed as evenly as possible, which helps avoid focal points of loading (where a high amount of weight is focused through a small amount of space).
Different materials can be used for the surface, depending on the contact point and the user’s vulnerabilities. Air, foam and gel are among the materials that are used as surfaces.
The anatomy of a wheelchair is covered in our guide here, but it is fair to say that most chairs will have a combination of materials in their parts. The more complex the needs of the user, the more sophisticated the prescription of the right wheelchair and in some cases, bespoke moulded seating systems are developed to ensure the maximum surface contact.
Posture vs Function
In an ideal situation, the user’s postural and functional needs can be met. Sometimes, however, this is not possible. There are certain conditions, where it is appropriate to compromise on the optimal positioning for the prose of maximising function. The key is having a patient centred discussion to negotiate the goal setting for the user.
In plain terms, it may be that the posture of a wheelchair user looks badly positioned, but this may be the best position for the user to be able to move or to function.