What is a wheelchair seating assessment?
Author: Sharon Jang | Reviewer: Emma M. Smith | Published: 25 May 2020 | Updated: ~
A wheelchair seating assessment is a complex process where healthcare professionals assess your body and fit you to a wheelchair to suit your needs. How you fit in your wheelchair can significantly impact your health and comfort while using your device. A proper seating assessment can be used to prevent conditions (for example, spine deformation) from getting worse, to correct posture, and to accommodate for other aspects that are not changeable. The seating process is done in combination with other rehabilitation interventions (such as exercises, physical therapy, and spasticity management), and should be done with specific therapeutic goals in mind.
In this document, we will focus on the components on seating. Seating components consist of backrests, cushions, and accessories (e.g., footrests and arm rests). Having appropriate seating is important to having good posture while in your wheelchair, being able to function while using the wheelchair, and maintaining good skin health.