Tilt Wheelchair

Equipment Description

The front pivot tilt mechanism provides a constant seat to floor height on the tilt-in-space wheelchair. The chair can be tilted to 20 degrees. The chair compactly folds for individual transport.

When To Order:

• A tilt-in-space wheelchair should be considered for individuals who require a wheelchair as a result of an amputation, stroke, plegia, dementia or other cognitive impairment.
• The individual is a foot propeller and requires a specific and constant floor to seat height to ensure a proper foot strike.
• The individual is at risk of sliding down in the chair resulting in sheer.
• The individual is at risk of falling out of the wheelchair and seat belts and other restraints have been determined to be inappropriate.
• The individual’s low level of endurance makes propulsion in a light weight wheelchair difficult and the individual would benefit from changing the center of gravity to make propulsion easier.
• The individual has limited upper extremity strength.

Medical Documentation:

The clinical care team needs to document in the individual’s medical record the following:

• The individual has a mobility limitation that impairs performance of mobility related activities of daily living (MRADL).
• The individual has not expressed an unwillingness to use the wheelchair.
• The individual can not use a cane or walker to resolve the mobility limitation.
• The individual will be able to propel in a tilt-in-space wheelchair or has a caregiver.
• The individual can safely use the wheelchair in the home to accomplish their activities of daily living (ADL).
• The individual requires tilt.
• The individual must have a wheelchair evaluation performed by a physical therapist and an assistive technology professional.
• The individual’s provider (MD, DO, NP or PA) must complete a written order.

Selecting Equipment:

The following considerations impact the selection of equipment:

• Tilt-in-Space wheelchairs come in seat widths from 16 to 20 inches and seat depths from 16 to 20 inches.
• Tilt-in-Space wheelchairs seat to floor height can be adjusted from 14 to 15 inches.
• Wheelchairs need to provide the individual access to different parts of the home, such as the bathroom and kitchen.  Measure the doors to determine the size of the wheelchair that will fit through the door.  The overall width of a wheelchair is the seat width plus 8 inches.
• Tilt-in-space wheelchairs can accommodate special backs to adjust for postural control issues.
• Ensure individuals have seat cushions and back cushions to ensure proper seating and pressure sore prevention.

Select the correct accessories for the individual’s safety, proper seating and clinical needs:

• Height adjustable desk arm
• Full arm
• Anti-tippers
• Wheel lock extensions
• Swing away foot rest
• Elevating foot rest
• Articulating foot rest
• Limb support
• Arm trough