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Power Mobility and Safety Concerns Power mobility can enhance participation in daily activities as well as activities for people in long-term care. However, these devices can also cause safety issues that need to be addressed. Rather than exclude residents with a specific diagnosis from the power mobility option that could be considered prejudicial risk management, most participants preferred to take an approach based on teleology and let all residents test the power mobility device. Mobility A power mobility device is an option for those who are unable to move around their home or community, and participate in everyday activities that they would not be able to perform. However, these devices may also pose a risk to the person who uses them, and also to other people who share their environment or space. Occupational therapists should carefully consider the safety needs of each client before making recommendations regarding powered mobility. In an exploratory study (von Zweck 1999), OTs from three residential care facilities within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority conducted qualitative interviews with residents regarding their power mobility use. The objective was to develop a framework for client-centred power mobility prescribing. The results revealed four main themes: (1) the meaning of power mobility, (2) learning the rules of the road, (3) red flags concern about safety and (4) solutions. Power mobility can dramatically improve the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility by giving them the opportunity to participate in a range of daily life activities, both at home and in the community (Brandt 2001; Evans, 2000). Self-care, active and recreational occupations are vital for mental and physical health of the elderly. For many with advanced illnesses, power mobility offers a way to participate in these essential activities. Many participants considered it not acceptable to remove the chair of a resident, since this could cause a huge change in their life or path and prevent them from pursuing the same activities they used to do prior to their disease progression. This was particularly true for those in Facility 1, who had been capable of maintaining their chairs for short periods of time, but were forced to rely on other residents to help them move around the facility. Another potential solution was reducing the speed at which residents drove their chairs, however this could have raised concerns, including privacy issues and impact on other people in the community. The most drastic solution to safety concerns was to remove a resident's wheelchair. green power mobility allows people to move more freely. They are also able to participate in a greater variety of activities and complete around on their own. However, with greater freedom of movement comes a greater risk for accidents. For some, these accidents could result in serious injuries to themselves and others. This is why it is important to think about the safety of your client before recommending that they utilize power mobility. First check whether your client can safely operate their scooter or power chair. This could involve an assessment of physical health by a physician or occupational therapist or a mobility specialist, based on the nature of your client's disability as well as their current health. In certain situations your client will require a vehicle lift to be capable of loading and unloading the mobility device at their home, community or workplace. Another aspect of safety is to learn the rules of the road. This includes sharing space, with other pedestrians, wheelchair users and the drivers of buses or cars. Most participants in the study have mentioned this issue. Some people learned to drive their wheelchairs on sidewalks instead of driving in busy areas or on curbs (unless the wheelchair was designed for this purpose). For others this meant driving more slow in a crowded area and watching out for pedestrians. The final and least preferred option was taking away the chair of a person, which was viewed as a two-fold penalty loss of mobility independent and preventing access to facility and community activities. This was the view of the majority of participants who had their chairs removed, including Diane and Harriet. The participants also suggested that residents, family members, and staff members be trained on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as the correct side to walk on in a hallway) as well as encouraging residents to practice driving techniques while outside and helping them recognize how their behavior affects the mobility of others. Follow-Up The ability of a child and their willingness to participate in life can be profoundly affected by a power mobility device. There has been little research on the experience that children experience when they learn to use these devices. This study employs the pre-post method to investigate the effects of six months of experience using one of four early power mobility devices on the children in school with severe cerebral palsy (CP). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents as well as pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis identified three major themes. The first, 'Power in Mobility,' described the ways in which a powered device changed more than just a child's motor skills. The process of learning to operate a powered mobility device is often an emotional and transformative one. The second theme, 'There's not any cookbook,' revealed that learning to use a power mobility device was an individualized process that evolved over time in a cyclical manner. The therapists were asked to decide what was appropriate based on each child's abilities and requirements. During the training phase and following, therapists were required to be patient with children as well as parents. A number of parents and therapists emphasized the need to assist families celebrate their successes and solve challenges associated with the training process. The third theme, “Shared space”, explored how the use a power device can impact the lives of others. The majority of the participants in this study believed that people should always be mindful when using a power mobility device. This was particularly applicable when driving on roads that are public. A few participants also mentioned that they've had to deal with situations where someone else's property was damaged due to the use of a power mobility device, or where a person was injured due to a driver who failed to yield right-of-way. Overall, the results of this study suggest that short-term power mobility and socialization training is possible for preschoolers with CP in certain classroom settings. Future research should continue to investigate the effects of training and results of this type of intervention for children with CP. This will hopefully lead more standardized training protocols for children who have CP.