How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence to those with limitations in walking. It is essential to know how to move your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help guide you in this area. Wheelies are a popular technique for moving the wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands large enough to span these rims and good grip strength to propel forward. Seating Position Like the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury for the wheelchair user as well as the people surrounding them. The wheelchair user must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To achieve this, there are a few ways to go about it. First, the footplates need to be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around to make sure they are facing the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is even pressure on their feet. The height of the footrest may require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are too high they could cause pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort. A forehead strap can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. These can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a mobility expert. If the wheelchair has armrests, it is essential to ensure that they are in a proper position so that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting their arms while they move. It is best to choose the wheelchair with swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and put on the armrest's back to raise them up to a more comfortable position. It is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the wheelchair surfaces. In electric self propelled wheelchair , the skin can become irritated and raw from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time and can cause blisters. To reduce the chances of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be moved frequently. 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 since they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted to the wheels. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs. Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You may also find it beneficial to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply. It is crucial to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as sticks and rocks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move in the manner 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 extremely high, you may be thinking about adding additional padding to the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or an easy step. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you are doing this, it is important to place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and place the front wheels close to the edge of the curb. When pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear space ahead of you so that you don't cross paths with other people. You'll gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You could also crash with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people around you while on an upslope. Also, you should have a friend or caregiver ready to assist you in case you fall off your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is secure the user must use the braking and steering actions in a specific manner. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled way. Always ensure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight remains on the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps keep the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn right and will allow you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping over in the reverse direction. Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair is able to traverse. In some cases the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended that you seek assistance from an individual or a relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide. When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended that you remove and mount your vehicle using ramps as often as you can. This will minimize the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option that can help with this process. It improves the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4") To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to de-clutch the motor and then release the brakes. The wheelchair will come to a stop which allows you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and exit the chair. Steering The user is accountable for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, for instance will 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 like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be 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 accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. The hands should not be encased around the rims of your hand in order to avoid injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users must prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The wheelchair user should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they travel with a caregiver they should be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar with this. To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other forwards. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair could tip over if it is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and make turning a lot easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the wheelchair user should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.
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