10 Places To Find How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for people with limited walking ability. It is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and to consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to guide you in this area.
Wheelies are a very popular method to move the wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have strong grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
Self propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not be dependent on others. This is the primary factor that helps many who want to regain their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury to the wheelchair user as well as those surrounding them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. There are a variety of ways to ensure this. First, the footplates should be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them to ensure they are on the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is enough pressure under 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). The footrests can put the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause pain and discomfort in the event that they are too high.
A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a professional in mobility.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms while they move. For this purpose, it is best to use wheelchairs that have swing away or removable armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height.
It is also important that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some cases skin irritation and blisters can develop when sitting in a single position for a long time. To minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be rotated regularly.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move on their own and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.
When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. A lot of pressure can cause your hands tighten and reduce the amount of force you are able to apply. You may also find it beneficial to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip material built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you apply.
It is important 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 could make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair, and could result in an uncontrolled movement and/or potential injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it could be beneficial to put some extra padding on the front casters.
When going up a curb or small step it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If self propelled wheelchairs uk My Mobility Scooters are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or small steps and set the front tires close to the edge.
It is essential to leave plenty of space in front of you when pushing up an uphill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and could collide with other people. You can avoid this by staying aware of other people who are around you on a slope. Also, make sure you have someone with you to assist you in case you fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled chair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is placed on a slope as the center of gravity can move forward if braking is not done in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that the hand is placed in the right position, usually at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.
To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right and allow you to remain sitting. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping in the reverse direction.
Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some instances the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated by hand to overcome steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps as often as you can. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").
To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will then stop which allows you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and safely exit the chair.
Steering
The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the structure of the chair and any accessories such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult with rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast.
On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and lead to over-corrections as the chair turns around. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with various degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. The wheelchair user should look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on an inclined slope, it must be assisted or driven by an adult until the user is familiar with this.
To turn to turn, the user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other hand forwards. The wheelchair user should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on other surfaces, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily tip over if the action is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can relieve some pressure off the user, making turning a lot easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push someone in wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of a wheelchair should make sure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.