Page 25 - Mobility Management, September/October 2021

that driver control. And they’re usually using switches of some type or a specialty control. So true tracking has just been a godsend. Hopefully for [clients] who are using switches, people are aware of these tracking systems, because they’re a huge advantage to someone who’s driving with a specialty control.”
The Power Base Decision Tree
Asked how he decides on a power base, Scanlan said, “The first thing I look at is ‘Is this a new client or an existing one?’ Then: Is it a replacement base vs. a new base? Is it an adult vs. a child? If it’s a new client, what do they like to do? What’s their activity level? Are they an outdoor individual or family? Are they working or going to school?”
Next: “Are they in a home, an apart- ment, or townhome? A rural or an urban setting? What’s the home entry like? Is it a zero entry? Will the home need to be
ramped if it’s a new client? Or is there an elevator in the apartment? If it’s a rural setting, are there any paved surfaces outside the home? I’m looking at those environments, and once I get that infor- mation, I can start to tell them the pros and cons of each of the three drive-wheel configurations.
“With a rural setting, with front-wheel drive, the first point of impact is that drive wheel. And it just climbs better when you’re going over uneven terrain. I tell
the family: You might want to consider front-wheel drive in this scenario because you’ve got uneven terrains in this envi- ronment. You are not in an urban setting where most of the surfaces are flat and hard. If it’s a child, I start thinking about being able to keep them interacting in different areas outside the home. That’s when I may consider a base that transitions over uneven surfaces a little bit easier.”
Does he gravitate toward a certain
drive-wheel configuration if the client
is a child? “It just depends on the child and the input device,” Scanlan said. “If you’re using a head control, it might be
a little more intuitive when turning if you don’t have the back end of that front- wheel drive swinging [behind you]. With mid-wheel, when you’re turning, those drive wheels are right under the pelvis and right under the head, depending on your positioning. Equal distance, front and back. So it’s a little more intuitive with the turning. But with some kids, the primary reason they’re getting it is to be out on the playground. Most kids are on different surfaces, and I’ve had clinicians and families tell me: We need a chair that goes on all surfaces effectively.
“Ultimately, it’s trying both and educating the families. Here are the pros and cons. We’ve got a lot of good choices; it’s just what’s going to best meet your needs.” m
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