How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to master the use of your wheelchair and let occupational therapy or a doctor assist you with this.

Wheelies are a very popular method to move in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have strong grip strength to propel them forward.

Seating Position

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to travel on their own and not depend on others. For many it is the only way to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as the people who are around them.

It is crucial that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. There are many ways to make sure this is the case. First, make sure that the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are at the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is pressure beneath their feet.

It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest particularly if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests can put the pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.

A forehead strap can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair particularly for those with weak neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a professional in mobility.

It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in a good position so that the user of the wheelchair doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and put on the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable height.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, especially if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In certain instances, skin irritation and blisters may occur after being in one position for a long time. To minimize the risk of developing pressure ulcers, the chair should be repositioned regularly.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and eliminate the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels as well as pushing handles that are fitted to their sides. This lets them travel over a wide range of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps.

Be cautious not to hold the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip material on the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can apply.

It is essential to keep the front casters free of any debris like sticks and rocks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair, and could result in an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some extra padding for the front casters.

If you are climbing a small step or curb, it is recommended that you enlist the help of read more a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you want to try this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you are doing this, it is important to place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and then place the front wheels close to the edge of the curb.

When you are pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with someone else. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people around more info you while on a read more slope. Also, make sure you have a friend or caregiver ready to catch you if you fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is safe, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on a slope as the center of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.

Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn left with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars to stop them from tipping backwards.

Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to confirm the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. If this is the case it is recommended to seek assistance from a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow more info you to go faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs have an option to climb the kerb that can help with this process. It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will then stop and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids and exit the chair.

Steering

If you are using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. This can be accomplished in various ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any accessories such as armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will manage. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and cause over-corrections when the chair turns a turn. It is also recommended that the user of a wheelchair experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different levels to find the optimum balance between lean and control.

The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. The wheelchair user should look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this.

To turn, the wheelchair user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other rim forwards. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable and the chair could slide over if not properly mastered. more info If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and make turning a lot easier. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push someone in wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.