Appendix B5: Falls Assessment Cue Sheet: Wheelchair Comfort Information (Text Description)

The Falls Management Program Manual

Use the following measurements to determine if the wheelchair seat and armrests are the correct size for the resident.

• Correct Seat Width: Hip width + 2 inches = _______
• Correct Seat Depth: Thigh length - 2 inches = _______
• Correct Armrest Height: 1 inch higher than elbow = _______

After the resident has been seated in the wheelchair for at least 1 hour, compare her position with the pictures to determine if she is seated correctly.

• Correct position with two 90º angles [Image shows woman sitting upright in wheelchair].
• Sliding down [Image shows man slumped and sliding down out of wheelchair].
• Leaning over [Image shows woman sitting bent forward in wheelchair].
• Leaning to one side [Image shows woman leaning with one arm dangling over wheelchair armrest].