5 Clarifications Regarding How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is crucial to learn how to maneuver your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to train you in this area.
Wheelies are a very popular method to move the wheelchair. The client must have large hands to be able reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel it forward.
Seating Position
As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many people to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as the people surrounding them.
The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To ensure this, there are several options you can take. First, make sure the footplates are in the proper position. Release the footrest latch and then move the footrests to make sure they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is even pressure under their feet.
The footrest height may need lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can put pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.
A forehead strap can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a specialist in mobility.
It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't strike them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose a wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests for this purpose. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.
A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is important, especially for those who are at high risk for skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become irritated and raw because of sitting in a single position for long periods of time and can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are more maneuverable because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move over a wide range of surfaces without having to worry about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps.
Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you apply.
Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. This can make it hard to move your wheelchair as you would think. It could also lead to a loss in control and/or injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is high, you may think about adding extra padding to the front casters.
If you are climbing a curb or small step it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. 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.
It is essential to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will keep you from colliding with other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and could collide with other people. To prevent this from happening, try to be aware of those in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a carer or friend prepared to help you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is safe users must perform the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled way.
Always make sure your hand is in the right position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim, then 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 to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair can travel. In this page might need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. If this happens, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined 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 and allow you to traverse the kerb at a faster speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also assist with this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids and safely get out of the chair.
Steering
When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for controlling and steering. This can be done in various ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any additional features such as armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example, can decide the type of terrain a wheelchair can be able to handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast.
The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This can be done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing with both hands. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the rims of the hand as this can cause injuries and result in over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is also recommended that the user of a wheelchair test leaning back and forward to different extents to find the optimum balance between lean and control.
The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. The wheelchair user must look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on the slope, it should be assisted or driven by an adult until the user is familiar in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on a different surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily slide over if the technique is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this could reduce some of the pressure off the user and make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair must ensure that their handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.