Page 13 - Mobility Management, January 2019

take a wooden dining room chair and keep it in their family room to relax and be comfortable in. We can’t expect kids to do the same thing for hours a day in a standard non-accommodating wheelchair and not experience physical issues and discomfort.”
“Tilt is a must-have due to pressure redistribution,” Tucker said. “Tilting shifts body weight to relieve pressure from certain areas of the body, which is important for users who spend all day in their wheelchairs. It also helps improve circulation. With tilt we can also enhance visual orientation, speech and alertness.
“Reclining has some of the same benefits of tilt. We do need to keep an eye out for shearing in recline mode. When the chair is reclined, gravity comes into effect and causes the body to slide downward. Tilt-in-space adjustments can position the child for their physical health benefits, and also impact numerous daily activities. Capacity for use of communication devices can be improved, and feeding capabilities can be improved as well.”
Other Considerations to Include
When working with a child with complex needs, Tucker noted the importance of system growth: “Growability is something we need to pay attention to as the child is still in a developmental
state. We also need to know if the child is fed by mouth or feeding tube; if so, does the chair they are in support that?”
To encourage being active in the community, the family must also believe the seating and mobility systems are travel friendly. “Transportation is always important with parents,” Tucker said. “How easy does the chair collapse or fold down? How much does it weigh — does Mom need a ramp, or are they picking the chair up for trips? How are Mom and Dad transporting the child, because transportation tie downs may be needed? Will they be using a tray? Where does the communication device mount?”
First and foremost, though, is ensuring that the child is opti- mally positioned.
“You will often see custom molding, aggressive specialized backrests, headrests, cushions in these scenarios,” Malmberg said. “You have to position and support first. Growability and transportability all become secondary needs. Obviously, they are needed, but support, posture, and positioning are primary.
“Adaptive seating is also associated with decreased risk of spinal deformity,” Tucker said. “In some cases, these devices promote the correction of scoliosis in children with cerebral palsy.” m
Ki Mobility is dedicated to providing and devel- oping best-in-class seating and mobility products that provide optimal performance, experience and value to our customer.
COMPANY PROFILE
Ki Mobility
We recognize that in
today’s market, service is
part of the product, and
that a great product ex-
perience — for custom-
ers and the people we
serve — lasts a lifetime. What makes the experience extraordinary is how well it fits the needs and ambitions of the person using it.
Our service and product lines ensure that each individual story matters. With Ki Mobility, you will find that both our people and our products remain acces- sible and available to you as we strive to create a unique place in the market: offering you more than just best-in-class products. We are here to support you. And we don’t just make wheelchairs. We make wheelchairs better.
Discover for yourself at www.kimobility.com.
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MOBILITY MANAGEMENT | JANUARY 2019
9:47 AM
Ki Mobility
(800) 981-1540
www.kimobility.com