5 Lessons You Can Learn From How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
How to Use My Mobility Scooters Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is important that you know how to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.
Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique called "wheelies". This requires the user to have hands large enough to span these rims and have a strong grip to propel forward.
Seating Position
Like the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many people to regain their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury for the wheelchair user and those surrounding them.
It is essential that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are a variety of ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates need to 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 that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates.
It is possible to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap can help keep the wheelchair user upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. These can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a specialist in mobility.
It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in a good position so that the user of the wheelchair does not hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose the wheelchair with swing-away or removable armrests for this purpose. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to a more comfortable height.
It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of a wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can become irritated and raw from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time and may also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for someone else to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have bigger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted to them. They can be used across a variety of surfaces, without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be careful not to grip your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can use. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip materials in the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you 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 could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can lead to the loss of control or even injury. If your seat-to-floor height is very high, you may want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.
When going up an unassuming step or a curb it is recommended you have a person with you to push the wheelchair assistance. If you'd like to accomplish this independently, you will require more instruction and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just before the edge.
It is essential to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will prevent you from running into other people. You'll speed up quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You could also crash with another person. To avoid this take care to be aware of the people who are around you when you're on a slope. You should also have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not applied in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that your hand is in the correct position, with the ideal being at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel and released at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim, then pull back on the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain in a seated position. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair might need to be temporarily dismounted and operated manually to climb steep slopes. In this situation it is recommended you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can aid in this process by increasing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").
To stop a wheel chair you need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, prepare walking aids and get out of the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast.
On smooth, level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections as the chair turns a turn. It is recommended that the user of a wheelchair test leaning forward and backwards to different degrees to find the optimal balance between leaning and control.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more difficult terrain. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when they need to. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on a different surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this could reduce some of the pressure off the user, making turning easier. It is crucial to be aware that untrained strangers tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them inwards.