How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is essential to learn how to use your wheelchair and let occupational therapy or a doctor assist you with this.
Wheelies are a popular technique for moving a wheelchair. The user must have big hands to be able extend the rims of the wheelchair, and have enough grip strength to propel it forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury to the wheelchair user as well as those surrounding them.
It is essential that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To achieve this, there are a few ways to go about it. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch, then swing them round so that they are at the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.
The footrest height may need to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the spine and increase pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs without headrests by a specialist in mobility.
If the wheelchair has armrests, it is crucial that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user can move without hitting them with their arms when they move. To ensure this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with removable or swing away armrests. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and attached to the back of the armrest in order to raise them to a more comfortable level.
It is also important that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, especially if the wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation can develop when sitting in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for a third party to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted on their sides. This enables them to travel across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps.
When you are moving forward with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip material on the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.
Keep the front casters free of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair and can result in a loss of control and/or potential injury. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you may think about adding extra padding to the front casters.
When going up a curb or small step it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you'd like to accomplish this independently, you will need more training and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When doing this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and place the front wheels close to the curb's edge.
It is important to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from colliding with other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and could collide with other people. To avoid this take care to be aware of those around you when you are on a slope. Also, have mymobilityscooters.uk or a friend waiting to catch you in case you start to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled chair requires the user to control the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the centre of gravity to move forward if the braking action is not performed in a controlled way.
When pushing a wheelchair, make sure that the hand is in the proper position, ideally at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and released at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight remains on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right rim and then pull back the left rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and allows you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide included with your chair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some instances the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated by hand to overcome steep slopes. In this situation, it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will minimize the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to move over the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs will assist with this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by approximately 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 before exiting the chair.
Steering
If you are using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be accomplished in various ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any add-ons like armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be 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 hand rims and pushing with a uniform hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and cause over-corrections as the chair turns a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with various degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for more challenging terrain. The user of the wheelchair should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or other people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. The wheelchair user should practice this on a smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on any other surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can help reduce the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is important to be aware that untrained strangers tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them down.