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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to those with limited walking ability. It is essential to learn how to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Wheelies are a common method for moving a wheelchair. The user must have big hands to be able to span the rims, and also have the strength to push the wheelchair forward.

Seating Position

Self-propelled wheelchairs enable you to move independently and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people surrounding them.

It is essential that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To accomplish this, there are many options you can take. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and swing the footrests around to place them facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.

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

A forehead strap can help keep the wheelchair user upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be adapted to wheelchairs without headrests by a professional in mobility.

It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in the correct position so that the wheelchair user isn't able to strike them with their arms when they move. To ensure this, it is best to use wheelchairs that have swing away or removable armrests. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the armrest's back in order to raise them to a more comfortable height.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, especially if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against the wheelchair surfaces. In some instances the skin may become dry and irritated from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. It can cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted to their sides. They can be used on various surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. Too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. It may also be beneficial to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip materials built into the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair and can lead to the loss of control or even injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.

If you are climbing a small step or curb it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you want to do this yourself, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of a health professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just prior to the edge.

When pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure that you don't run into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and could be struck by other people. To prevent this from happening take care to be aware of those who are around you when you're on a slope and have a carer or friend prepared to help you in case you start to fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled chair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is on a slope as the centre of gravity can move forward if braking is not done in a controlled way.

Always make sure that your hand is in the correct position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over 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 push forward on the right hand rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also 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 most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations, the wheelchair may have to be dismounted temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this situation it is recommended you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide.

When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you take off and remount your vehicle via ramps as often as you can. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by increasing the ability of the chair by around 10cm (4").

To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or make walking aids prior to getting out of the chair.

Steering


When using a self propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling. There are numerous ways to do this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. 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 allow a chair to move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters will allow a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but it won't be nearly as fast.

On smooth, level surfaces on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair makes a turn. ultra lightweight self propelled wheelchair is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the user of the wheelchair look over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are ready to assist when required. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on the slope, it should be assisted or driven by an adult until the user is familiar 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, level ground before trying it on any other surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user, making turning a lot easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers can try to push a person in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.

Member since: Monday, October 28, 2024

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