Residential Healthcare Facilities 2014 Guidelines Revision Project: Resident Operated Mobility Devices

It is generally recognized that there is an increase in usage of resident operated mobility devices in long term care settings. This is supported by evidence based research information on aging demographics. The design of the physical environment is directly impacted by the presence of resident operated mobility devices necessitating the inclusion and consideration of issues related to equipment storage at point of use, charging station locations, corridor widths, battery storage, and appropriate maintenance areas for equipment in senior living settings. The workgroup proposal recommendations provided for the 2014 Guidelines clearly address storage, clearance, operation, safety and liability, and maintenance issues of resident operated mobility devices.