How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is crucial to master the use of your wheelchair, and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this.
Many people move their wheelchair using a technique called "wheelies". This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also minimises the risk of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those who are around them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. To accomplish this, there are many options you can take. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest latch and swing the footrests around so they are directly in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is enough pressure on their feet.
It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest particularly if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests can increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain when 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 with no headrests by a specialist in mobility.
If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential that they are in a proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting their arms as they move. To achieve this it is recommended to choose a wheelchair with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height.
It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, especially if the wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some cases, skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in a single position for long periods of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs let users move independently, without the need of someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move across a variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or steps that are small.
As you move forwards with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material on the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of debris, such as rocks or sticks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and could result in a loss of control and/or injury. If self propelled wheelchairs for sale of your seat to floor is high, you might be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.
When climbing a curb or small step, it is recommended that you have a person with you to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you'd like to do this on your own, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When doing this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and place the front wheels near the curb's edge.
It is important to leave plenty of space in the front of you when going up the hill. This will keep you from running into other people. You'll gain speed quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of people who are around you on an upslope. Also, make sure you have an adult or caregiver available to catch you if you fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled chair requires the user to perform 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 an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not applied in a controlled way.
When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that your hand is in the proper position, with the ideal being at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel and released at two clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right hand rim and then pull back the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the chair from tipping in the reverse direction.
Always refer to the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep slopes. In this situation it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for assistance and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating the kerbstones. This will minimize the pressure that is required on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to travel over the kerb with greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by increasing the capacity 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 break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can take off the footrests and prepare walking aids before exiting the chair.
Steering
When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for steering and controlling. There are numerous ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and the additions like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as size and weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. 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 they won't be nearly as fast.
The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing with both hands. 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 around. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with various degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. The wheelchair user should be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or other people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when needed. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.
To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of the wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also helpful to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person in wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.