Families across Tennessee are helping loved ones with disabilities stay comfortable, safe, and independent every day. One important service is the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (TDDA) Seating and Positioning Clinic. You can learn more about it here: Seating and Positioning Clinic.
If someone in your family has an intellectual or developmental disability and needs support with how they sit, move, or use a wheelchair, this clinic may help. The clinic offers:
· Evaluations by a therapist who knows how to work with special seating and positioning.
· Custom seating systems, light molded seats, backs, and footrests.
· Modifications to existing equipment (wheelchairs and special chairs).
· Mobile services for areas far from a clinic. (This is important for rural regions in Tennessee.)
Families often see benefits like:
· Better posture and comfort.
· Improved breathing and digestion.
· Less risk of skin sores, muscle tightness, or joint problems.
· More independence and freedom to move.
These benefits are great because it's not just about a chair, it's about the quality of life for your loved ones and a sense of relief for your family.
How to get started:
· Visit the clinic's web page and review eligibility and referral forms.
· Contact one of the regional clinics in West Tennessee (Arlington), Middle Tennessee (Nashville), or East Tennessee (Greenville/Afton).
· Fill out the required forms, including the intake, medical history, and physical referral forms, then check your insurance coverage (TDDA accepts Medicare Part B, Medicaid, and many private plans).
· Plan for either a visit to the clinic or a mobile unit visit if you live far away.
In our state, a lot of families live far from major cities, so the mobile clinic helps bring care right to their communities.
If you're caring for someone who needs special seating and positioning support, don't wait. Check the link above, talk with your therapist or physician, and explore how the seating and positioning clinic can help your family today.