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Power Mobility and Safety Concerns Power mobility allows those in long-term care to participate in their routine activities and leisure pursuits. The devices can also pose safety risks, which need to be addressed. The majority of participants opt to adopt a teleological view and give all residents the chance to test the device, instead of exclude residents with specific diagnoses, which could be considered a risk management decision that is prejudicial. Mobility A power mobility device is a way for people who are unable to move about their community or home, and also to take part in everyday activities that they would not be able to perform. However, these devices could also pose a risk for the person using them, as well as other individuals who share their space or space. Occupational therapists should carefully consider the safety requirements of each client before making recommendations about 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 use of power mobility. The aim was to develop a framework that would allow for client-centred power movement prescribing. The results revealed four major 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 those who have limited mobility, permitting them to take part in a range of daily life activities, both at home and in the community (Brandt 2001; Evans, 2000). Participation in self-care, productive and leisure occupations is essential to physical and mental health for older adults and for those with chronic illnesses power mobility is a way to continue participating in these important activities. The majority of participants felt it was not acceptable to remove the resident's chair since this would cause a major change in their life or path and prevent them from continuing to engage in the same activities that they had been doing before their disease progression. This was especially relevant to those in the facility 1 who were able to maintain their power chairs for short periods of time, but were forced to rely on others to help them move around the facility. Another solution would be to reduce the speed that residents drive their chairs. However it could create a number issues such as privacy and the impact on the rest of the community. Ultimately, removing a resident's chair was considered the most drastic and least preferred solution to security concerns. Safety Power mobility lets people move around more freely. They are also able to participate in a wider range of activities, as well as run errands. However, with greater mobility comes a greater chance of accidents. For some, these accidents could result in serious injuries to themselves or others. It is important to think about the safety of your clients before suggesting the use of power mobility. First, determine if your client can safely operate their scooter or power chair. Depending on the nature of their disability and the state of their health, this could involve a physical evaluation by an occupational or physician therapist, and having a conversation with a mobility specialist to determine if a particular device is appropriate for them. In some instances your client will require a vehicle lift to be able to load and unload the mobility device at their workplace, home, or community. Understanding the rules of road safety is an additional aspect of safety. This includes sharing space with pedestrians, wheelchair users, and drivers of cars, trucks or buses. The majority of participants in the study mentioned this theme. For some, this meant learning to use their wheelchairs on sidewalks, instead of driving through areas that were crowded or over curbs (unless specifically designed for doing this). For others, it meant driving more slow in a crowded area and keeping an eye out for people walking. The last and least preferred option, which was to remove a person's wheelchair, was viewed as a double-punishment that would result in the loss of mobility, and also preventing them from participating in the activities of the community and facilities. Diane and Harriet among others were among those who had their chairs taken away. Participants also suggested that residents, family members, and staff be educated on the safe use of power mobility. This could include teaching the basics of driving (such as using the correct side of the hallway) and encouraging residents to practice driving strategies while out, and helping them to understand how their behavior can influence the mobility of others. Follow-Up The capacity and willingness of a child to participate in life can be profoundly affected by a power mobility device. There isn't much research on the experience that children go through when they first learn to make use of these devices. This study uses an approach that is post-previous to study the effects of six months of experience with one of the four early mobility devices on a school-aged group of children with severe cerebral Palsy (CP). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents as well as pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes. The first, 'Power and mobility,' described the ways in which powered devices affected more than just motor skills. Learning to drive My Mobility Scooters can be an emotional and transformative experience for those who participated. The second theme , 'There's no cookbook' revealed that the process of learning to utilize a mobility device was a process that took place in a continuous manner over time. Therapists were tasked with unearthing what was appropriate for each child's needs and capabilities. In the initial phase of training and afterwards, therapists needed to be patient with children and parents. Several parents and therapists described a need to help families celebrate their successes and work through problems that arise from the training process. Finally, the third theme, 'Shared space The study explored the ways in which using an electric device can influence other people's lives and interactions. The majority of the participants in this study believed that people should always be mindful when using a power mobility device. This was especially true when driving on roads that are public. Participants also mentioned that they've seen instances where property of someone else's was damaged due to the use of a motorized device, or a person has been injured by a driver who did not yield the right of way. The results of this study show that power mobility and socialization training for preschoolers with CP can be conducted in certain classroom settings. The next research study should study the training and results for this kind of intervention for children with CP. This could lead to the development of more uniform training protocols for this group.