Positive Effects

Positive outcomes of using wheelchairs ONLY FOR TRANSPORTATION
and using normal furniture for stationary seating.
Maintaining normalization in seating and mobility speaks clearly to the goal of quality first in resident care. For discussion purposes these outcomes, selected by the co-founders from research materials and practical experience, are listed under physical (P), mental (M) and psychosocial (PSY) categories.

(P)Increased physical functioning
(P)Maintenance of muscle mass-Combating Sacropenia where immobility can cause a 3% to 5% muscle mass loss per day
(P)Decreased Muscle shortening
(P)Maintenance of periarticular and cartilaginous joint structure
(P)Maintenance of marked leg strength and gait
(P)Decreased frailty
(P)Reduced incidence of infections, such as: skin abrasions, UTI’s, pneumonia
(P)Reduced development of pressure sores
(PSY) Decreased agitation and frustration resulting from loss of independence whether manifested verbally and non-verbally
(PSY)(P) Maintenance of continence and reduced potential for fecal impaction
(PSY)(P)Decreased falls and accidents
(P) Decreased head trauma due to falls from wheelchairs
(PSY) Maintenance of autonomy
(PSY) Maintenance of dignity and respect
(PSY) Maintenance of self respect
(PSY) Maintenance of social contacts with and from others
(M)(PSY) Decrease in potential for depression
(PSY)(P)Maintenance of nutritional intake and weight
(M)(P) Appetite encouragement related to exercise
(P) Maintenance of bodily function and lung capacity
(P) Decreased incidence of pneumonia
(PSY)(P)Maintenance of ability to perform ADL’s
(P)Reduced risk of edema, increased cardiac load or decreased blood flow
(M) Increase in tactile stimulation
(M) Increased sensory stimulation
(PSY) Maintenance of confidence
(P)Maintenance of body symmetry
(P) Increase in restful sleep in comfortable chairs
(PSY)(P)Increased physical exercise
(P) Maintenance of ability to stand and pivot, walk and turn
(PSY)(P)Maintenance of bone density decreases fracture potential
(PSY) Reduction in learned dependency-senescence
(PSY) Increased will to live
(M)(P) Maintenance of hydration
(M)(P)(PSY) Increased quality of life
(M) Maintaining utilization of mental skills
(M) Reduction in dehumanization resulting from attitude toward persons in wheelchair
(M)(PSY) Increased feelings of usefulness
(M)(PSY) Maintenance of self confidence
(P) Decreased stiffness
(PSY)(P)Maintenance in self-mobility
(M)(PSY)(P) Maintenance of physical, mental and psychosocial rehabilitation potential
(PSY)(M)Retention of mental status
(M)(PSY) Maintenance of interest in accomplishing activities
(M)(PSY(P) Maintenance of stability in physical, mental and psychosocial functioning
(PSY) Decreased agitation from non-ambulation
(PSY)(P) Reducing cachexia
(P) Decreased shoulder muscle fatigue
(P) Decrease in pain, neck, arm, leg numbness, joint arthritic pain
(M)(PSY) Decrease dependence on obeying authority
(M)(PSY) Decreased subservience

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