Use this part of the screening form to decide if the person may benefit from mobility assistive products.
Walking aids and wheelchairs
Ask the person:
Can you stand and walk?
People who can walk, but need assistance to walk safely, can only walk short distances, walk with one leg or have other difficulties walking may benefit from a walking aid.
A walking aid assessment will identify what type of walking aid would be most suitable.
Some people may benefit from a walking aid and a wheelchair.
Remember Cali?
Cali has arthritis and is frail. She uses a walking frame to walk indoors where the ground is flat.
To move around outside or for longer distances, Cali uses a wheelchair.
Refer people who may need a wheelchair to a wheelchair service.
Activity
Have a copy of the TAP Mobility assistive product screening form in front of you.
Complete the walking aid and/or wheelchair part in Section 4 of the screening form for the case study below and decide what actions you would take.
Jackeline is an older woman who is frail. She has difficulty moving around and would like assistance.
Jackeline can only walk short distances as she gets tired very quickly. She can put weight through both of her legs. She does not have any leg or foot injuries.
Complete the relevant sections of the screening form for Jackeline.
What actions would you take?
- Jackeline may benefit from a walking aid. The next step is to carry out a walking aid assessment.
- Jackeline may also benefit from a wheelchair. The next step is to discuss this option with her. If she feels that a wheelchair would be useful for her, refer her to a wheelchair service.
Portable ramps
Ask the person:
Do you need to get up and down a small number of steps and/or in and out of a vehicle regularly?
People who use a wheelchair, rollator or walking frame can use ramps. A portable ramp can be useful if they need to get up and down just a couple of steps and/or in and out of a vehicle.
A portable ramps assessment will identify if a portable ramp will suit them.
Grab bars
Ask the person:
Do you have difficulty around your home balancing, sitting up, standing up or moving?
Grab bars in people’s homes can assist people who have difficulty moving around because of poor balance.
Grab bars can also reduce the risk of falls.
A grab bar assessment can identify if a grab bar will assist them.
Transfer boards
Ask the person:
Do you have difficulty moving your body from one place to another?
Transfer boards can assist some people to transfer more easily from one position to another. For example to and from the bed, toilet, sofa or into a vehicle.
People who use a walking aid or a wheelchair in particular may benefit.
A transfer board assessment can identify if a transfer board will assist them.
Prosthetic foot or leg
Ask the person:
Do you use a prosthesis?
It is important that a person who uses a prosthetic leg or foot has regular follow up.
Prosthetic devices can wear out, and the person’s stump and their needs change.
Discuss with the person:
- Is their prosthesis still fitting well and comfortable?
- Do they have any red marks or sores or painful areas on their stump?
- Is the prosthesis still in good working order?
If you or the person has any concerns, refer them back to the prosthetic service.
Not everyone is able to use a prosthesis successfully. This depends on:
- The person’s health and fitness
- The condition of the remaining part of their leg
- The condition of their other leg.
- The types of prosthesis available.
A qualified prosthetist needs to assess each person to decide if a prosthesis will assist them.
If there is a prosthetic service in your area, refer the person for assessment. If the service is a long way away, it is a good idea to contact the service first, to see if they recommend a referral.
People who have had an amputation can move around in different ways, for example by using walking aids and/or a wheelchair.
People who do use a prosthesis are likely to use other mobility assistive products as well.
Other types of assistive products
Ask the person:
Do you have difficulty with seeing, hearing, self care, communication, thinking and/or remembering?
People who have a mobility assistive product may also benefit from other types of assistive products.
Remember Aliesha?
Aliesha has cerebral palsy. She uses a posterior walker and assistive products that assist her with self care and going to the toilet.
Remember Aida?
She has had a stroke. She uses a walking stick and dressing aids to assist her to get dressed and get to the toilet more easily.
Even though this is a mobility screen, it is important to remember that the person may benefit from assistance in other areas.
If they tell you they have difficulties in other areas (such as in seeing, hearing, self care, communication, thinking and/or remembering), explain that you would like to ask some more questions to find out more information.
See the other TAP introduction modules for simple screening questions and tools to identify other assistive products a person may need.