How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is important that you master the use of your wheelchair and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this.

Wheelies are a very popular method to move the wheelchair. The person using the wheelchair must have large hands in order to span the rims, and have enough grip strength to propel it forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many who want to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also reduces the risk of injury to the wheelchair user as well as the people who are around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To ensure this, there are many things you can do. First, ensure that the footplates are in the proper position. Release the footrest latch and swing the footrests around to place them directly in 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.

The footrest's height could require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and increase pain and discomfort.

A strap for the forehead can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is essential to ensure that they are in a proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can propel without hitting them with their arms while they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have swing away or removable armrests. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and attached to the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable height.

It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases blisters and skin irritation can develop when sitting in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need for someone to push them. They are easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as small steps or curbs.

Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip materials in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters clear of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair, and could cause a loss of control and/or injury. If check here the height of your seat to floor is high, you may be thinking about adding additional padding to the front casters.

When going up a small step or curb it is recommended you have a person with you to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you want to do this independently, you will need more training and practice under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or small steps and place the front tires just prior to the edge.

When you are pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear path click here ahead of you to ensure you don't run into other people. If you don't have 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 people around you while on the slope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available to catch you if you fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled chair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is on an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the braking is not done in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is placed in the proper position, usually at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair to the right and allow you to remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping backwards.

Refer to the user's manual that comes with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can traverse. In some instances the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you ask a family member or family member for assistance and follow the directions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can assist with this process by increasing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and exit the chair.

Steering

When using a self propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling the. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can be able to handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast.

On smooth and level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and lead to over-corrections when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair looks over both shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, when they travel with a caregiver, they should make sure that read more they are prepared to help when required. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. It is here best to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could slide over if not mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can help ease the pressure on the user and help with turning. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but read more untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.