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What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Power Seat Lift?

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS

August 18, 2015

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Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a power seat lift?

 

Answer

Power Elevate

A power seating option is power elevate.  The seating angles, as in tilt, remain the same at the hips, the knees, and the ankles, but the seat to floor height increases.  Driving is usually possible while elevated.  Depending on the system, the driving speed may automatically be reduced while the chair is elevated, because it is inherently less stable.

Advantages.  One of the main justifications is this extends functional reach for the client.  Things that were out of reach may now become in reach, if the client has the motor ability, by changing the seat to floor height.  Changing the seat to floor height also helps optimize transfers, particularly when the client is transferring to various height surfaces.  The height of the toilet, the height of the bath seat, and the height of the bed may all be different and this allows the client to find that optimal height for that transfer.  It also provides access to a variety of height work surfaces and this is where I think that power elevate can be particularly helpful with children.  Children may go from a small desk, to a counter-height table in Art class, and then to the dining room table at home.  This provides access to those varying heights.  By raising the height of the system, the client now has better visual regard of their environment and certainly better social interaction.  These two justifications are not always very helpful from a funding standpoint, but they are certainly benefits to our client.

Disadvantages.  The main disadvantage of power elevate is the price.  It is very difficult to get funding for these.  Also there are only certain power wheelchairs that offer this feature and so we might be limited in the bases that we choose.  The initial seat to floor height might also start off a little higher, when we add this to a base.

 


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS

Michelle Lange is an occupational therapist with over 35 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 15 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide. She is the former NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of NRRTS Directions magazine. Michelle is a RESNA Fellow and member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a RESNA certified ATP and SMS.

 


Related Courses

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While some clients require a power wheelchair to achieve independent mobility, not all will be able to use a standard joystick. Clients with paralysis, muscle weakness, increased muscle tone, and uncontrolled movements can often drive a power wheelchair successfully when matched to the most appropriate alternative driving method. This course will systematically explore various alternative driving methods, including specific features, to match these complex client needs. Case studies will be used throughout.

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This course will present a hierarchy of computer and tablet access options for clients unable to use standard access, such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch screen. Access assessment requires analysis of motor skills, vision, cognition, and functional applications. Alternative keyboards and mice will be presented, as well as other alternative access options.

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