Specialist Wheelchair & Seating Assessments (Occupational Therapy)

For individuals who rely on a wheelchair for mobility, either part-time or full-time, the right seating system is crucial. Standard wheelchairs often don’t provide adequate support or pressure relief for long-term use. A specialist assessment by a skilled Occupational Therapist (OT) ensures that your wheelchair and seating meet your specific needs for posture, comfort, pressure care, and functional independence. Medella Home Physio & OT provides these expert assessments in your own home or care setting across Hampshire and Dorset.

Finding the Right Wheelchair & Seating: The Importance of Specialist OT Assessment

Choosing appropriate seating is complex. An incorrect or poorly adjusted wheelchair or cushion can lead to pain, poor posture, fatigue, pressure sores (pressure ulcers), reduced ability to participate in activities, and difficulties with mobility and transfers. Our specialist Occupational Therapists have advanced knowledge and experience in assessing and recommending seating and wheelchair solutions tailored to the individual.

H2: Who Needs a Specialist Seating Assessment?

This detailed assessment is particularly important for individuals with:

Complex physical disabilities.
Neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Cerebral Palsy, advanced Parkinson’s Disease, or significant impairments following a Stroke or Brain Injury.
Fixed or progressive postural asymmetries (e.g., scoliosis, pelvic obliquity).
Increased risk of developing pressure sores.
Needs for specific functional adaptations to their wheelchair/seating.
Requirements for powered mobility or highly configurable manual wheelchairs.
Discomfort or pain related to current seating.

What We Consider During the Assessment

Our assessment is holistic, considering factors such as:

Postural Support: Providing stability for the pelvis and trunk, accommodating or correcting asymmetries, supporting the head and limbs as needed.
Pressure Care: Selecting appropriate cushion materials (foam, gel, air) and designs to redistribute pressure effectively and reduce shear forces, minimising the risk of skin breakdown.
Comfort: Ensuring the seating system is comfortable for the required duration of use.
Function: Enabling maximum independence with mobility (self-propelling or powered controls), transfers, and participation in desired activities (e.g., eating, working, hobbies).
Mobility Base: Determining the most appropriate wheelchair base (manual, powered, attendant-propelled) considering your abilities, energy levels, and environmental needs.
Integration: Ensuring the seating system works with other equipment (e.g., hoists) and fits within your environment (doorways, transport).

Experienced Occupational Therapists with Seating Expertise

Wheelchair and seating provision is a specialist field. Our HCPC-registered Occupational Therapists undertaking these assessments have specific post-graduate training and significant practical experience in complex postural management and seating solutions.

Our Comprehensive Assessment Process (Conducted at Home)

A thorough assessment, conducted in your familiar environment, is key to finding the right solution. Our OT will:

Discuss Your Needs: Understand your diagnosis, lifestyle, daily routines, functional goals, environments you access (home, work, community, transport), and any problems with current seating.
Physical Evaluation: Assess your posture (in and out of current seating if applicable), range of movement, muscle tone, strength, sensation, and skin condition (especially over bony prominences).
Measurements: Take detailed body measurements relevant to seating dimensions.
Functional Observation: Observe how you transfer, propel (if applicable), and perform key activities relevant to wheelchair use.
Environmental Review: Consider how the wheelchair needs to function within your home and other key environments.
Equipment Review: Evaluate your current wheelchair and seating components.
Collaborative Planning: Discuss findings, explain seating principles, and explore potential equipment options with you (and family/carers). This may involve arranging trials of specific cushions, backrests, or wheelchairs with equipment suppliers.

Types of Wheelchairs & Seating Solutions

We assess for and advise on a wide range of equipment, including:

Basic to highly configurable manual wheelchairs.
Powered wheelchairs with various control systems (joystick, head controls, switch access).
Specialist cushions designed for pressure relief and positioning.
Modular and custom-contoured seating systems (backrests, lateral supports, headrests).
Tilt-in-space, reclining, and standing functions on wheelchairs.
Specific postural support components (harnesses, belts, pommels).

Benefits of a Professional Wheelchair & Seating Assessment

Optimal Posture: Supports health, comfort, and physiological function (e.g., breathing).
Reduced Pressure Sore Risk: Correct pressure distribution significantly lowers risk.
Increased Comfort & Reduced Pain: Properly fitted seating reduces discomfort and fatigue.
Enhanced Function & Independence: Enables greater participation in daily life.
Appropriate Equipment Prescription: Ensures you get the right solution first time, avoiding costly errors.
Clinical Justification: Provides necessary reports for funding applications (e.g., NHS Wheelchair Services, Access to Work, private funding) or equipment suppliers.

Serving Hampshire and Dorset

Medella Home Physio & OT offers specialist wheelchair and seating assessments via home visits throughout Hampshire and Dorset, including assessments within care homes, schools, or day centres as appropriate.

Arrange a Specialist Assessment

Ensuring correct wheelchair and seating is vital for health and quality of life. If you or someone you care for requires a specialist assessment, please contact Medella Home Physio & OT to discuss your needs and arrange a comprehensive evaluation with one of our expert OTs.