How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to train you in this area.
Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as "wheelies". The user must have big hands to be able to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and also have the strength to push it forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also minimises the risk of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those around them.
The wheelchair user must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To ensure this, there are a few options you can take. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests so they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
The height of the footrest may require to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are too high they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and cause discomfort and pain.
A strap for the forehead can assist the wheelchair user to stay straight, particularly if their neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a mobility specialist and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is crucial to ensure they are in a proper position so that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms as they move. It is recommended to use a wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests to accomplish this. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height.
It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if a person using the wheelchair is at a higher chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against surface of the wheelchair. In certain instances, the skin can become dry and irritated because of sitting in a single position for a prolonged period of time. It may also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs let users move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are more maneuverable due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel across a variety of surfaces, without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You may also find it useful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.
It is essential to keep the front casters clear of any debris like rocks and sticks. This material can make it difficult to move your wheelchair in the way you think. It could also lead to a loss in control and/or injuries. If you have a very high seat-to-floor height, it might be beneficial to purchase extra padding on the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you go up a curb or an easy step. If you are planning to do this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is essential to place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and place the front wheels just before the curb's edge.
It is essential to leave plenty of space in front of you when pushing up a hill. This will keep you from running into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and might hit other people. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer prepared to help you in the event that you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is secure the user must use the braking and steering actions in a certain manner. This is particularly important when on a slope as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is website not applied in a controlled way.
Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right rim and then pull back the left rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allows you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping forwards.
Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can traverse. In some instances the wheelchair may need to be dismounted temporarily and operated manually to climb steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended that you seek help from a friend or relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will decrease the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres and allow you to move over the kerb at a faster speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by increasing the capacity of the chair by around 10cm (4").
To stop a wheel chair you more info need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will then stop and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids, and then safely get out of the chair.
Steering
The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in different ways depending on the structure of the chair and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but they will not be as swift.
On smooth surface that is level on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injuries and could result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns a corner. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user try leaning forward and backward website to different levels to determine an optimum balance between lean and control.
For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users must prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. It is essential that the wheelchair user looks over both shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, when they travel with an adult, they should make sure that they are prepared to assist when needed. here If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.
To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. The wheelchair user should practice this on a smooth flat website ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can help ease the pressure on the user and make turning easier. It is crucial to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them back.