The power of power wheelchairs: Mobility choices of community-dwelling, older adults
Sammanfattning
Background: Power wheelchairs are purported to have a positive effect on health, occupation, and quality of life. However, there
is limited knowledge about what factors shape power wheelchair use decisions. Aims/objectives: A study was undertaken to
understand the mobility choices of community-dwelling, power wheelchair users. Methods: A series of semi-structured
qualitative interviews was conducted with 13 older adult power wheelchair users. Participants were interviewed at enrollment
and four months later. Data analysis was informed by Bourdieu’s theoretical constructs of habitus, capital, and field. Results:
Three main styles of power wheelchair use were identified: reluctant use, strategic use, and essential use, and each type is
illustrated using an aggregate case study. Conclusion/significance: These findings highlight the need to alter the power
relationship that exists between prescribers and device users and to effect policy changes that enable people with physical
impairments to make as wide a range of mobility choices as possible.