Wheelchair Seating and Positioning

For medical emergencies call 911.

Central Illinois offices: Peoria, Morton, Washington, Pekin, Bartonville, Metamora & Chillicothe

Correct seating and positioning in a wheelchair can mean the difference between a productive and meaningful life or one where mobility and quality of life are reduced.

When an individual is unable to walk as a result of an illness, an injury or a congenital condition, a wheelchair may be the means to a productive and meaningful life. Technology over the past several decades has produced lightweight alloys, computerized navigation systems and new materials for cushioning.

Depending on the individual’s type and degree of impairment, selecting the correct components of a wheelchair and seating system is a decision involving the individual, family members and the medical team, especially the Occupational Therapist with training and experience in Wheelchair Seating and Positioning.

A chair that allows the best positioning gives the client a base of support and a sense of stability. It frees up the arms and/or hands and permits the person to perform daily tasks independently. A person who is poorly positioned may lean or slide, may end up having to use hands or arms to keep upright, and may have difficulty with breathing or with digesting food.

One of the main concerns for anyone in a wheelchair is the risk of “bedsores” or decubitus ulcers. Any part of the skin that is in friction with a surface can break down, so cushioning, headrests, and supports for arms, legs or the torso can help maintain correct posture and reduce the risk of skin breakdown.

At IPMR an Occupational Therapists evaluate the physical abilities of individuals, as well as their interests and their goals. They recommend the most appropriate mobility device—manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs and special-use wheelchairs.

The wheelchair evaluation considers the person’s:

• medical history
• home environment
• community activities of daily living (ADL)
• functional and sensory processing skills
• ADL status in the home
• communication
• mobility, balance and positioning issues.

The Occupational Therapist helps the client and family work with the vendors who, in turn, approach the third-party payors. Together the team works to provide the client with the most appropriate mobility device.