Wheelchair Seating and Positioning

If you are an individual who uses a wheelchair for their primary means of mobility, you are aware that your level of independence is greatly influenced by having a wheelchair that best meets your needs. There has been an explosion of technological advances over the past few years in the areas of wheelchair and seating component design. In many cases funding for equipment is less available than in the past. For these reasons, it is very important that each wheelchair user be provided with the most appropriate and functional wheelchair, cushion and positioning equipment that is possible in order to meet his or her individual needs.

The Physical Therapy Department at Spain Rehabilitation Center offers a Seating Clinic for outpatients who use a wheelchair for mobility. The purpose of the clinic is to evaluate the specific needs of each individual and recommend equipment to best meets those needs, assist with providing the necessary documentation to gain funding for the equipment and then work with the supplier to fit and adjust the equipment once it arrives. The clinic is staffed by a physical therapist, and the equipment supplier chosen by the patient is also asked to be present for the evaluation. Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy are consulted, if necessary. The client’s size, body type, posture, range of motion, skin condition, functional abilities, home environment, and funding sources are assessed, with recommendations made accordingly. Once the equipment arrives, the patient is seen in clinic to fit and adjust the chair and seating equipment. The clinic has many types of wheelchairs, cushions and other equipment available for trial during the evaluation. The clinic is also fortunate to have the Force Sensing Array (FSA), which is an evaluation device that provides a means of measuring the pressures between the patient and the seating surface. This allows for the evaluation of several different wheelchair cushions in order to determine which cushion provides the best pressure reduction for that client. This equipment can be very helpful in selecting cushions and positioning strategies for those clients who are at risk for or already have pressure sores.

1. A physician’s referral for “Physical Therapy evaluation for seating equipment”

2. If you have an equipment supplier that you prefer to use, indicate your preference to the scheduling secretary and we will ask that supplier to be present at the evaluation.

 3. Please bring your current wheelchair, cushion and any positioning equipment with you to the evaluation.

4. If possible, please have the information regarding when you received your current equipment, which supplier provided it and how it was paid for.

5. Prior to coming in for the evaluation, make a list of features or characteristics of your current equipment that work well for you or are not working well for you, so that these issues can be taken into account.

1. You will have the expertise and input of the physical therapist as well as the equipment supplier to ensure that you receive the wheelchair and seating equipment that is best suited for your individual situation.

2. You will have access to up to date information about the equipment that is currently on the market.

3. You will be able to see and try some of the optional equipment before making a choice.

4. You will have the assistance of the therapist in completing and gathering the necessary documentation to obtain payment for the equipment.

5. The therapist will verify the fit and function of the equipment at the time of delivery and work with the supplier on any modifications that need to be made.

In most cases, your health insurance will pay for this service as a “Physical Therapy Evaluation”. If you have Medicare and are being seen by a Home Health Agency, you will need to talk with the Home Health agency regarding coverage of the visit.

Contact your physician for a referral to Physical Therapy for a “Seating Evaluation”. The physician’s office can FAX the referral to us at 205 934 4351.

If you have questions regarding these services, please do not hesitate to call us at 205 975 4922.