For Ombudsmen, Peer Supporters, and Advocates

Accessing Assistive Equipment and Devices in Nursing Facilities People in nursing facilities do not always receive the equipment and devices they need and deserve. As advocates, we can assist people living in nursing facilities to receive appropriate assistive equipment and devices. De vices such as customized wheelchairs can help make people in nursing facilities more mobile and help them feel that they can transition to a home. This presentation focuses on informing you how to use a checklist when helping people in nursing facilities attempt to acquire customized wheelchairs.

Overview Why did we create a checklist? Is completing the checklist a guarantee for a customized wheelchair? What can an advocate do? What does this mean for vendors? Where can I access a copy of the checklist?

Why did we create a checklist? We developed a checklist to support advocates as they guide people who live in nursing facilities and their families through the process of acquiring the customized wheelchairs they need. The checklist Provides a road map for people to request a customized wheelchair while in a nursing facility. Specifies locations where people can obtain wheelchair evaluations. Includes locations to submit customized wheelchair requests.

Is completing the checklist a guarantee for a customized wheelchair? Using the checklist is not a guarantee that a person living in a nursing facility will receive a wheelchair. Ombudsmen, peer supporters, and advocates are a necessary part of using the checklist to help people living in or transitioning from nursing facilities to seek out customized wheelchairs. By requesting that nursing facilities provide customized wheelchairs with Medicaid dollars, people in nursing facilities and their families will put pressure on DCH to change the way they fund customized wheelchairs. In addition to asking nursing facilities to provide customized wheelchairs, people should also make a direct request to Medicaid.

What can an advocate do? Help the person complete the checklist. Make sure that an occupational or physical therapist evaluates the need for a customized wheelchair. Get a physician to prescribe a customized wheelchair Submit the request. If you do not have a response in 30 days, or if you receive a denial, contact the Resource Advocates at the Georgia Advocacy Office at , or

What does this mean for vendors? Encourage people living in nursing facilities to request approval for customized wheelchairs. Submit the request to the nursing facility and to Medicaid. Request help from an advocate if the approval is denied. Increase the chances for systems change by submitting requests.

Where can I access a copy of the checklist? Ombudsmen can access the checklist on the Ombudsman website at All others can contact Naomi Walker at the Georgia Advocacy Office at , or