How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is crucial to learn how to move your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help train you in this area.
Wheelies are a common method to move the wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands that are large enough to reach across the rims and good grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury to both the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them.
The wheelchair user must be comfortable in the chair. To achieve this, there are a few ways to go about it. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to make sure they are directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is pressure beneath their feet.
It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they could cause pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a professional in mobility.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential to ensure they are in the proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can propel without hitting them with their arms as they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have swing away or removable armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to a more comfortable height.
A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is crucial, especially if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the wheelchair surfaces. In some instances the skin may become dry and irritated because of sitting in a single position for long periods of time and can also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of developing pressure ulcers, the chair should be rotated regularly.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and eliminate the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel across various surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
When you are moving forward with your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. A lot of pressure can cause your hands to tighten and reduce the amount of force you can apply. It may also be useful to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves that have grip material built into the palms. This will help improve your hand positioning and increase the force you can apply.
It is crucial to keep the front casters free of any debris like sticks and rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and can cause an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is extremely high, you might be thinking about adding additional padding to the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you go up a curb or just a tiny step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. When doing this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and place the front wheels close to the curb's edge.
It is crucial to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from crashing into other people. You'll speed up quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You may also collide with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people who are around you on a slope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available 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 specific manner. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not applied in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is placed in the proper position, ideally at ten clock (10:00) on the wheel and released at two clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right hand rim, then pull back on the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain seated in your chair. wheelchair self propelled folding My Mobility Scooters come with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide provided with your wheelchair to confirm the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. In this instance, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs will assist with this process by increasing the climbing capability of the chair by around 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair you need to release the brakes gently and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will then stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids and safely exit the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to be able to handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to travel over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as swift.
On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand as this can cause injuries and cause over-corrections as the chair turns around. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different levels of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and prepare for more difficult terrain. The user of the wheelchair should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or people. If they travel with a caregiver, they must be prepared to assist when they need to. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be assisted or driven by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may slide over if not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of the wheelchair should ensure that the handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.