Article

This case study describes an occupational therapy intervention to
increase the self-mobility and social participation of a nursing home resident
with dementia using a power wheelchair equipped with a collision-prevention
system. METHOD: We used an exploratory case study design.
Data sources included
the medical record, standardized assessments, interviews, observations of daily
activities, and a driving log. RESULTS: During driving sessions, changes in
affect such as smiling and attempts to socialize were noted. The resident
required ongoing prompting to operate the modified power wheelchair. CONCLUSION:
The resident was unable to achieve self-mobility with an intervention involving a
modified power wheelchair. However, this study demonstrates that even supervised
mobility can have a positive impact on affect and social participation.
Observations from this study are being applied to the design and testing of the
next generation of power wheelchairs intended for use by nursing home residents
with dementia.

Langue : ANGLAIS