Wheelchair Assessment

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Top Contributors - Naomi O'Reilly, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Kim Jackson, Rucha Gadgil, Amrita Patro and Olajumoke Ogunleye  

Introduction

Assessment is a second wheelchair service step. Information collected from the assessment will help the wheelchair service personnel and wheelchair user to;

• choose the most appropriate wheelchair from those available;
• determine the most appropriate wheelchair components from those available including any possible additional postural support;
• decide what training or support the wheelchair user family member/caregiver may need to use and maintain their wheelchair.

Assessments should always be carried out in a clean, quiet space, which may be a space within the wheelchair service, at another health care or community facility, or at the user’s home. If it is necessary to check whether a person has a pressure sore, do this in a private space. Respect the dignity and privacy of the wheelchair user irrespective of their age, gender, religion or socioeconomic status. The assessment process should incorporate two parts:

• Assessment Interview
• Physical Assessment

Assessment Interview

The first part of the assessment is the assessment interview. During this part of the assessment the wheelchair service personnel gather information about the wheelchair user, which will help to identify the most appropriate wheelchair for the wheelchair user. Even though the assessment interview components at basic and intermediate levels are very similar, more information is gathered at intermediate level about the wheelchair user’s diagnosis and any physical issues.

The assessment interview components includes information about the wheelchair user, their physical condition, their lifestyle and environment and also examines their existing wheelchair, if applicable.

Information about the Wheelchair User

These questions are important so that the wheelchair user can be contacted for the follow up in the future. They also give statistical information about the users seen by the service. Goals for the individual is vital to understand what the wheelchair user expects from their wheelchair.

Physical Condition

These questions are important because some of the features of health conditions can affect the choice of a wheelchair.

Lifestyle and Environment

These questions gather information about where the wheelchair user lives and the things that he/she needs to do in the wheelchair.

Existing Wheelchair

These questions help to find out if the wheelchair user’s existing wheelchair is meeting his/her needs, and if not, why not.

Physical Assessment

Physical assessment is the second part of the assessment process and includes:

Identifying the Presence, Risk of or History of Pressure Sores

Identifying the Method of Propulsion

Taking Measurements

Assessing Wheelchair Skills

• Finding out how the wheelchair user sits and what additional postural support they may need through:
  • Observing sitting posture without support;
  • Carrying out a pelvis and hip posture screen. Pelvis and hip posture screening helps to understand how any problems around the pelvis or hips may be affecting the wheelchair user’s sitting posture;
  • Carrying out hand simulation. The wheelchair service personnel uses their hands to ‘simulate’ the support that a wheelchair and additional postural supports may provide; 
  • Taking Measurements.

Good Practice

Resources

References