The document discusses the benefits of tilt and recline features in wheelchairs and seating for reducing pressure and maintaining proper posture, as well as some disadvantages like reduced access or increased shear. It also covers common mistakes in seating like using cushions incorrectly or having footplates at the wrong height. The presentation provides recommendations for optimizing wheelchair and seating configurations to improve client comfort and functionality.

1. 1
Presented by
Andrew Heath
Mobility & postural Specialist
Everyday Mobility
Posture Recommendations
For Wheelchairs & Seating

2. SITTING!

3. ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?
Symmetrikit™

4. What is tilt ?
• “System which changes a person’s
orientation in space while maintaining
fixed hip, knee and ankle angles”
What is recline?
• “system which changes a person’s seat to
back angle”

5. WHY USE TILT?
ADVANTAGE
 Effects of gravity can be reduced
(Collins 2005)
 Prevent sheer
 Aids a clients starting posture
when they are hoisted
 Aids clients comfort /functional
level(Collins 2005)
 “-ve” tilt can aid standing transfers.
 Pressure relief
 Help maintain head and eye
position
 Used to increase sitting tolerance
/breathing/speech
DISADVANTAGES
• “-ve” tilt can cause the client to
slide out of the chair!
• Makes the chair longer!
• Client fixed looking at he sky!
• Accessing surfaces - table
• Bladder
• Tray

6. WHY USE RECLINE?
ADVANTAGE
• Accommodate certain
postures better
• Can ease transfers
• Bladder
• Increase comfort
• Epilepsy
DISADVANTAGES
• Patients with spasticity
• Go beyond a clients
ROM
• Sheer
• Laterals move

7. Pressure Mapping
To Belt up or Not to belt up that is the question ?

8. Pressure Mapping

9. Pressure Mapping the Bed

10. Pressure Mapping

11. COMMON SEATING/POSTURAL MISTAKES
• NO CUSHION
• TWO CUSHIONS
• CUSHION DOWN THE BACK
• CUSHION ON THE WRONG WAY ROUND
• FOOTPLATES AT THE WRONG HEIGHT
• EQUIPMENT NOT WORKING
• INCORRECTLY FITTED/USE OF BELTS
• HOISTING INCORRECTLY
• CLIENTS SAT IN INAPPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT