When Manual Mobility Isn't Enough: Refer for Power Assist

Is your patient struggling to self-propel their manual wheelchair? If so, they may be a candidate for power assist.

What is power assist?

Power assist is a motorized system added to a manual wheelchair to assist with propulsion.

Who can benefit from power assist?

• Patients with mobility limitations related to:
  • Stroke
  • Spinal cord injury (SCI)
  • Neuromuscular conditions
  • Cardiopulmonary conditions
  • And more
• Pediatric clients and aging/geriatric clients
• Patients with weakness, pain, poor endurance, or impaired coordination limiting manual propulsion
• Patients who want to be more independent in a manual wheelchair

Why refer for power assist?

• Reduces effort to self-propel
• Increases independence
• Conserves energy
• Reduces pain
• Reduces risk of overuse injuries
• Easier to transport than a power wheelchair

How to refer for power assist?

Contact your local therapy clinic or medical equipment supplier. Be sure to include diagnosis, description of mobility limitations, and supporting documentation in your chart notes. Document why a manual wheelchair alone does not meet the client's needs.

Sunrise Medical's Empulse line provides comprehensive power assist solutions.