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Powered Mobility
About Powered Mobility
For some people who have limited mobility, powered (motorized) wheelchairs bring greater independence. People drive powered wheelchairs using joysticks or switches near their hands, feet, head, knees or elbows. People also can operate powered wheelchairs using controlled breaths –– a method known as “sip and puff.” Some people use powered wheelchairs all the time. Others use powered wheelchairs only for long distances in community or educational settings.
Our Patients
At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, we provide powered mobility evaluations for children, teens and adults who have:
- Ataxia or movement disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Spinal muscular atrophy (we can evaluate children as young as 18 months)
- Spinal-cord injuries
Evaluations
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Powered mobility evaluations help patients and families decide whether powered mobility is a good option. An occupational therapist and seating specialist perform the evaluations, which take about two hours. During an evaluation, a patient drives a powered wheelchair. The occupational therapist assesses whether, with training, the patient will be able to use the wheelchair safely and effectively.
Patients and families may invite their community therapists and equipment vendors to powered mobility evaluations. Check with your insurance company for a list of approved durable medical equipment vendors. If your insurance company has no list, we can provide a list of potential vendors.
After the evaluation, the therapist makes one of the following recommendations:
- Powered mobility is a good option.
- The patient needs additional skills before considering powered mobility.
- Powered mobility isn’t a good option.
If powered mobility is a good option, the occupational therapist and seating specialist will write a detailed prescription for a wheelchair base, seating and other recommended adaptations. The referring physician will then review and sign the prescription. The medical vendor will set up an in-home trial with a powered wheelchair to make sure it works well at home and in the community. We encourage community therapists to participate in the in-home trial, because patients might also use the equipment at school and other community locations.
Training
Learning to operate a powered wheelchair correctly and safely requires instruction and practice. That’s why we offer personalized training at several of our clinics.
Scheduling
If you or someone you know might benefit from powered mobility, please call Gillette Scheduling at 651-290-8702 or Rehabilitation Therapies at 651-229-3900. We’ll ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your mobility needs before scheduling an appointment. Questionnaires are available on this site by going to the Resource Center and clicking on Forms).
