The perceived effectiveness of customized mobility equipment on occupational engagement for clients in long-term care through a recycling program.

摘要

This study compared the perceived effectiveness of non-customized stock wheelchairs and customized wheelchairs on occupational engagement for residents of long term care. In addition, since the province of Nova Scotia had a wheelchair recycling program for residents of long term care, comparisons were also made between the qualities of recycled and newly purchased wheelchairs. A mixed methods approach using a survey and interview was utilized to gather data from occupational therapists practicing in long term care. The participants involved in this research perceive customized wheelchairs to enable more occupational engagement than stock wheelchairs, that newly purchased and recycled wheelchairs are of comparable quality, and that the administration of the program was well run with a few places that need improvement. Through the interviews it was also found that many therapists experienced situations where residents were forced to choose between occupations as their wheelchair could not enable both.