The following resources are provided to guide occupational therapists’ practice in seating and mobility assessments and interventions.
Occupational therapists at Nova Scotia Health are involved in the provision of temporary and/or permanent seating and mobility prescriptions, depending on practice area.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined the following eight steps for clinicians to follow in the provision of an appropriate wheelchair. The steps may be carried out in a different order or multiple steps may be combined in some wheelchair services.
Wheelchairs and related equipment can be costly for clients and their families. The following is a list of some potential funding sources and programs available throughout Nova Scotia:
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit clients with coverage for a range of health benefits.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides limited, temporary coverage of health care benefits to resettled refugees, refugee claimants and certain other groups.
This program is managed by Easter Seals in partnership with Nova Scotia Department of Community Services (DCS). Eligible clients of DCS may receive new or refurbished wheelchairs.
The Equipment Repair Program is also available for DCS clients who require repairs to their wheelchair. Certain conditions apply.
The Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) provides Canadians with short-term loans of health equipment on a donation basis.
The Seniors Community Wheelchair Loan Program provides new and recycled wheelchairs (manual and/or electric) to eligible Nova Scotia residents to support them in their homes and communities.
This program applies to qualified veterans, Canadian Forces and RCMP members. Specific information required for equipment approval can be found on the benefits grid at:
Some benefits may require:
Some communities may have local clubs that offer funding (e.g. Royal Canadian Legion, Rotary Club, Kin Club). As well, condition-specific organizations may also provide financial assistance (e.g. MS Society of Canada, ALS Society of Canada, Parkinson Canada, The War Amps).
Some clients may have private health insurance coverage for medical equipment supplies such as wheelchairs. Plans may differ from person to person (e.g. rental vs. purchase, lifetime amount) and typically require prior authorization before purchase.
If your client has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, they may be entitled to Section B benefits. Section B Benefits max out at $50,000 and can last up to four years, whichever comes first.1
WCB Nova Scotia is the province’s provider of workplace injury insurance. An Assistive Device Request Form is typically required for approval. Forms can be found at:
The Wheelchair Skills Program (WSP) is a set of free, online, low-tech, high-impact, evidence-based resources to train and assess users' wheelchair skills (with or without the assistance of a caregiver) with manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and motorized mobility scooters2.
Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide by References