How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to those with limitations in their walking. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and let an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this.

Many people move their wheelchair by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to reach across the rims and have a strong grip to propel forward.

Seating Position

As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many people to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those around them.

It is crucial that the seat position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. There are many things to do to make sure this is the case. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them to ensure they are at the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is enough pressure under their feet.

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

A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a professional in mobility.

If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is important to ensure that they are in the proper position so that the wheelchair user can propel without hitting them with their arms as they move. To ensure this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if a 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 wheelchair surfaces. In some instances, the skin can be irritated and rough because of sitting in a single position for a long period of time and can cause blisters. To minimize the risk of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated regularly.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for someone to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted on the wheels. This lets them travel over a wide range of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as small steps or curbs.

Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. It may also be helpful to wear a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you can use.

It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and here can result in a loss of control and/or injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some additional padding for the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or a small step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. It is crucial 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're pushing check here up a hill it is important to have a clear path ahead of you so that you don't cross paths with other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you'll gain speed very quickly and might be struck by other people. You can avoid this by being aware of people who are around you on a slope. Also, you should have someone with you to catch you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure that 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 brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is placed in the right position, ideally at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight is on the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to keep the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.

To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping over forwards.

Always refer to the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to confirm the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to overcome steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.

When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber feature that can help with this process. It increases the ability of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheel chair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop which allows you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids and get out of the chair.

Steering

The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and the additions like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they will not be as swift.

On smooth surface that is level the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep the momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and cause over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is advised that the wheelchair user test leaning back and forward to different levels to find the optimal balance between lean and control.

The click here person using a self-propelled wheelchairs wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. It is important that the wheelchair user looks over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people, and when they travel with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are prepared to assist if needed. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the chair could fall over if not properly mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and help with turning. It is also helpful to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often wheelchairs self propelled try to push a person in wheelchair against their will, therefore the wheelchair user should make sure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.