How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have limitations in their walking. It is important to learn how to move your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to guide you in this area.

Wheelies are a very popular method for moving in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have large hands to span these rims and good grip strength to propel forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to both the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them.

It is important that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are a variety of things to do to ensure this. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to make sure they are facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.

It is possible to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests may increase pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort when they are too high.

A strap for the forehead can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. They can be adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a specialist in mobility.

It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to choose a wheelchair with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable height.

A cushion that is well-fitted for a wheelchair is crucial, especially if a wheelchair user is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation can develop when being in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can reduce the chance of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs let users move themselves independently and without the need for a person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles that are fitted to their sides. They can travel across many surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip material in the palms. This will help improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair and can lead to the loss of control or even injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be beneficial to put some extra padding on the front casters.

If you are climbing a curb or small step it is recommended that you best self-propelled wheelchair enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you'd like to accomplish this independently, you will require more instruction and practice under the supervision of a health professional. When you are doing this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels just before the edge of the curb.

It is crucial to leave enough space in front of you when pushing up an uphill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and might be struck by other people. You can avoid this by being aware of the people around you while on a slope. Also, make sure you have an adult or caregiver available to help you if you start to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when the chair is on an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a here controlled way.

Always make sure your hand is in the correct position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair to the right, allowing you to stay sitting. Wheelchairs are also read more available with anti-tip bars to stop them from tipping backwards.

Refer to the user's manual that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated manually to negotiate steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended to seek assistance from someone you know or a family member and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended click here to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will minimize the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres and allow you to travel over the kerb with greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber feature which can aid in this get more info process. It increases the ability of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will then stop and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids and safely get out of the chair.

Steering

The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are many ways to accomplish this dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and the additions like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as in size and weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters let a chair move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift.

On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to maintain the momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing with a uniform hand. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the hand rims in order to avoid injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair makes a turn. It is also recommended that the user of a wheelchair try leaning forward and backwards to different degrees to determine an optimal balance between lean and control.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The wheelchair user should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they must be ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience with this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on any other surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can help reduce the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is essential to be aware that untrained strangers are often able to force wheelchair users against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them inwards.