What Do You Know About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair?
How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking ability. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.
Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". The user must have big hands in order to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel the wheelchair forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those around them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To accomplish this, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure that the footplates are in the proper position. Lift the latch for the footrests and move the footrests to make sure they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.
The footrest's height could require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are not high enough, they could cause pressure on the bones of the seat and increase pain and discomfort.
A strap for the forehead can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright particularly for those with weak neck muscles. These can be adapted by a mobility specialist and can be used on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
It is crucial that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in the correct position so that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to use the wheelchair with swing-away or removable 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 for those who are at high risk for skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some instances, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time and can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move independently, without the need of someone to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles that are fitted to their sides. This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.
When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You might also find it useful to wear a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you use.
Keep self-propelled wheelchairs My Mobility Scooters of debris, such as rocks or sticks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and can result in a loss of control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you may think about adding extra padding to the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or a small step. If you want to do this on your own, you'll require additional training and experience under the supervision of a health professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or small steps and position the front tires close to the edge.
When pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear area ahead of you so that you don't cross paths with other people. You'll gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You may also collide with someone else. You can avoid this by staying aware of other people in the vicinity when you are on an upslope. Also, have an adult or caregiver available to assist you in case you fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not performed in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is placed in the proper position, with the ideal being at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, making it easier to push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.
To turn right with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Refer to the user's manual that is included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair can travel. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek the assistance of someone you know or a family member and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.
When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps whenever you are able to. This will decrease the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to travel over the kerb at a faster speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option that can assist in this process. It increases the wheelchair's climbing ability by 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to de-clutch the motor and then release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and safely exit the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be accomplished 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 size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick.
On smooth and level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand as this can cause injuries and cause over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.
For more difficult or challenging terrain, the wheelchair user should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. It is important that the user of the wheelchair look over both shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, in the event that they are traveling with an adult, they should ensure that they are ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is used on a steep 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 a wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on any other surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and make turning much easier. It is important to be aware that untrained strangers tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them inwards.