The Most Common How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair Mistake Every Beginner Makes
How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. lightweight self propelling wheelchair is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to train you in this area.
Many people move their wheelchair by using a method known as "wheelies". The client must have large hands to be able to reach the rims and also have the strength to push the wheelchair forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining 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 person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. There are a variety of things that can be done to ensure this. First, the footplates should be in the correct position. Release the latch on the footrest and then move the footrests to place them in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.
It is possible to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. The footrests can increase 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 aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a specialist in mobility and can be used with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is important that they are in the right position so that the wheelchair user can propel without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is recommended to use an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to the desired height.
A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is important, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become dry and irritated because of sitting in a single position for a long period of time. It can also cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and eliminate the need for a third party to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as small steps or curbs.
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 cramp and reduce the force you can apply. It may also be useful to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.
Keep the front casters free of debris, such as sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can cause a loss of control and/or potential injury. If you have a very high seat-to-floor height, it could be beneficial to put some extra padding for the front casters.
If you are climbing a curb or small step, it is recommended that you have a person with you to push the wheelchair assistance. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and set the front tires close to the edge.
It is essential to leave enough space in front of you when pushing up a hill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and might collide with other people. You can avoid this by being aware of people who are around you on an upslope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available to assist you in case you begin to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that 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.
Always make sure your hand is in the proper position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps keep the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn left with a wheelchair, 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 seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping over forwards.
Always read the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. In this situation, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member to help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the back and front tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber option that can assist in this process. It improves the wheelchair's climbing ability by around 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 stop which allows you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids, and then safely leave the chair.
Steering
When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. This can be done in various ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any accessories such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters allow wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as fast.
The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the hand rims in order to avoid injuries and result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.
For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of a 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 fall over if the motion is not mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can help ease the pressure on the user and make turning easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained people often attempt to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the wheelchair user should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.