Considerations for Wheelchair Seating and Positioning for the Older Adult- An Introduction

Course Description

This introductory course for clinicians will discuss the normal aging process and how additional positioning supports may be necessary when faced with medical complications. The clinicians will understand the different expectations involved parties may have related to seating, positioning and wheeled mobility. Concepts of function, support and positioning will be discussed as optimal as opposed to the “mythical” seating positions of “90/90/90” to further allow participation in self-care. Stability and comfort and how it interrelates with function will also be explored. In some settings a screening process for functional limitations related to positioning and seating may assist the clinician and this will covered.

This course will focus on the evaluation process for seating and positioning, including how to conduct a mat evaluation. Abnormalities and external considerations will also be explored in this presentation.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1)      Discuss the normal aging process and implications on positioning.

2)      Identify the key elements of a screening process

3)      Complete a patient evaluation related to seating and positioning.

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Basic

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to complete a 10 question post-test with a minimum passing score of 70%.