Understanding Wheelchair Necessity in Various Disorders

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Five Conditions that Require Wheelchairs
Mobility limitations are the leading cause of functional limitations and are strong predictors of challenges in ADL performance (Simpson, LoPresti, & Cooper, 2008). Individuals suffering from illnesses such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy (CP), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can greatly benefit from wheelchair assistance. A wheelchair will enable individuals with the conditions to maneuver through space within their environment and participate in daily occupations. The following lists the rationale.
• ALS - is a progressive neurological disease that causes premature degeneration of motor neurons, which results in progressive …show more content…

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wheelchair Features
Manual/Electric
Traditional manual wheelchairs provide mobility to individuals with physical impairments but are poorly suited for individuals with a combination of physical, cognitive and perceptual impairments (Simpson et al., 2008). Also, manual wheelchairs are more physically demanding than electric wheelchairs; however, electric wheelchairs require cognitive and physical skills that not all individuals possess (Simpson et al., 2008).
Manual Recline/Power Recline
According to Shankar, Mortenson, & Wallace (2015), power recline wheelchairs enable user control. This promotes autonomy as it enables clients to take control of their own reclining schedule and influences comfort and sitting tolerance. Yet, many individuals with cognitive impairments are automatically denied access to wheelchairs with power recline functions (Shankar, Mortenson, & Wallace (2015)
Folding/Rigid …show more content…

This may cause the wheelchair user to experience additional expenses for repairs or replacements.
Safety Issues Regarding Wheelchair Use According to Gebrosky et al. (2013), if a wheelchair fails prematurely, it may be rendered useless and may cause serious injury to the user. Major wheelchair failures include the deformation, fraction, or complete separation of an integral frame component (Gebrosky et al., 2013). Additionally, wheelchairs may cause user injury by tipping or falling. In a s recent study, over 87% of wheelchair users reported at least one tip or fall in the past three years (Erickson et al., 2016).
Advantages and Disadvantages Wheelchair Rental or Purchase Purchasing a high-end wheelchair may be a costly option, yet, purchasing one a lower cost may require frequent repairs or placement (Gebrosky et al., 2013). Renting a wheelchair will allow a user to remain current with new wheelchair features and technologies; however, renting may prevent a user to customize the fitting and features of the

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