How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help train you in this area. Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have large hands to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward. Seating Position Self-propelled wheelchairs enable you to be able to move on your own and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many people to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also reduces the risk of injury to the wheelchair user and others around them. The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable when seated in the chair. To accomplish this, there are a few ways to go about it. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Release the footrest catch and then swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest, especially if the user is hemiplegic. The footrests can put pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high. A forehead strap will assist the wheelchair user to stay straight, particularly if their neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a specialist in mobility and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests. If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential to ensure they are in a proper position so that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting their arms while they move. To achieve this, it is best to choose a wheelchair with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is crucial, especially for those who are at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases blisters and skin irritation may occur after being in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for someone else 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 them. This allows them to move across a variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small. Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. It may also be helpful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply. Keep the front casters free of debris, like rocks or sticks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair, and could lead to a loss of control and/or potential injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is extremely high, you may think about adding additional padding to the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or an easy step. If best lightweight self propelled wheelchair 'd like to accomplish this on your own, you'll require additional training and experience under the supervision of medical professionals. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or small steps and place the front tires just before the edge. When pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear path ahead of you so that you don't cross paths with other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You could also crash with another person. To prevent this from happening, try to be aware of people who are around you when you're on a slope and have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in case you start to fall off your wheelchair. Braking A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not executed in a controlled manner. Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of shoulder, elbow and wrist joint. To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right hand rim and pull back on the left rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and allows you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping forwards. Always read the user's guide included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be dismounted temporarily and operated manually to climb steep slopes. In this case it is recommended you ask a family member or family member to help and follow the steps in the User Guide. When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back 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 climbing capability of the chair by around 10cm (4"). To stop a wheelchair 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 and prepare walking aids before exiting the chair. Steering When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair structure and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example, can decide the type of terrain a wheelchair is able to manage. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but it won't be nearly as fast. On smooth surface that is level, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to keep momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and cause over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that the wheelchair user test leaning back and forward to different extents to determine an optimal balance between leaning and control. The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for terrain that is more challenging. The wheelchair user should be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or other people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they should be prepared to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is going to be used on the slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar with this. To turn the wheelchair, the user must push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on any other surface, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is crucial to be aware that strangers who are not trained are often able to push a wheelchair user against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them inwards.
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