Module 6 - Seating Made Easy: Solving a Puzzle
Key steps in solving the seating puzzle
Keep the big picture in mind
For all seating there are the following goals:1. To protect the skin integrity of the user
2. To allow optimal mobility of the user
3. To create or to maintain normal anatomical alignment, with particular attention to the spine.
(Seating Assessment and Planning, Jennifer D. Hastings, MS, PT)The overall seating goals are concerned with pressure care, functional mobility and posture.
Two key strategies to keep the big picture in mind during goal-setting are:
- The seating and mobility system must fit the user in optimum size and shape to maximise pressure care (refer to Module 8) and postural alignment (refer to Module 7).
- Seating and mobility systems should enable the user to function in all life roles and access the environment.
Identify issues arising systematically: thread key components, themes and patterns together
- Summarise key findings and issues arising (refer to Modules 2-5: developing a client profile, physical assessment, body measurements and description of current seating and mobility systems)
- State the objectives of mobility system (refer Modules 7-10)
- State the objectives of the seating system (refer Modules 7-10)
Team Work
- Revisit the initial reason for referral with the referrer, client and carer
- Summarise your findings in Modules 2-5 with client/carer. Explain how the issues arising may have a cause and effect on identified problems during the referral
- Make an agreement to communicate with relevant clinicians, rehab engineers, suppliers, medical staff and allied health members to address any issues arising