SHORT ANSWER: During a wheelchair assessment, a specialist wheelchair therapist asks questions about your health, mobility, daily routine and the places where you use your wheelchair. The therapist also carries out a physical assessment, taking measurements to help them recommend the right wheelchair for you.
There are many different types of wheelchair, and finding one that's just right for you can make a significant difference to your quality of life. Here at Silver Fern Therapy, we provide independent wheelchair assessments that are designed to match you – the wheelchair user – with a chair that's perfectly suited to your needs.
Ideally, your wheelchair needs to fit your body and provide good postural support while also giving you the ability to comfortably navigate your everyday environment and enjoy life to the full.
A properly-conducted wheelchair assessment should take all of these things into consideration. Read on to learn more about our wheelchair assessments and what they tend to involve.
Short answer: the comfort of your wheelchair is determined almost entirely by the seating within it – that is: the cushion and back support. You can improve the comfort of your wheelchair by adding or changing the seating or by finding a wheelchair that is better suited to your measurements. A wheelchair assessment can help with this.
A comfortable wheelchair can boost your quality of life and make daily activities much easier. If you’ve been struggling with discomfort, pressure sores or postural issues, it is time to make some changes.
Seating components aren’t limited to just the cushion and back support. Items such as the armrests, headrest, lateral supports and footrests can all have an impact on your comfort.
Yes, you may be able to access a free wheelchair through the NHS but this depends on the outcome of a referral to an NHS wheelchair service.
Even though they are a necessity for many people, wheelchairs are unfortunately expensive. This is why it’s so important to consider every option for funding your wheelchair. This guide will explain some common options, including how you might get a wheelchair for free from the NHS.
Thank you John,
Thank you for such a comprehensive report and sound clinical reasoning to support the provision.
Case Manager - Stokes Case Management
Thanks John for making this part of getting new chair so easy. I love it - it's so whizzy! Going up Lane was much easier.
