The Most Common How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair Mistake Every Newbie Makes

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is important that you know how to use your wheelchair and let occupational therapy or a doctor assist you in this.

Wheelies are a common method to move in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands large enough to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel them 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 regaining or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people surrounding them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. To ensure this, there are a few things you can do. First, ensure that the footplates are in the proper position. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to place them in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to put their feet on the footplates, and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.

The footrest height may need to be reduced, particularly for those 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 in the event that they are too high.

A forehead strap can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a specialist in mobility.

It is important that if the chair has armrests that they are placed in the correct position so that the wheelchair user doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and glued to the armrest's back in order to raise them to a more comfortable position.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can be irritated and rough from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. It can cause blisters. To reduce the chances of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be rotated frequently.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver 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 steps that are small.

As you move forwards with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. Too much pressure can cause your hands get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you use.

Keep the front casters free of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair, and could result in an uncontrolled movement and/or injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it might be beneficial to purchase extra padding on the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you climb a steep hill or an easy step. If you'd like to accomplish this on your own, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of a health professional. When doing this, it is important to place the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels near the curb's edge.

It is essential to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will prevent you from crashing into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and may hit other people. To prevent this from happening take care to be aware of those in the vicinity when you are on a slope. You should also have a friend or carer prepared to help you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is safe users must perform the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is especially important when the chair is placed on a slope, as the center of gravity can move forward if brakes are not applied in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that the hand is placed in the correct position, ideally at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two hours (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.

To turn right in 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 seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards.

Always read the user's guide included with your chair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended that you seek help from a friend or relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure that is required on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to travel over the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also 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 break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will come to a stop which allows you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids and get out of the chair.

Steering

When using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be done in different ways dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters allow a wheelchair to glide over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as fast.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and lead to over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with various degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users must plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user must be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if required. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar in this.

To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on a different surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily fall over if the motion is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier.  My Mobility Scooters  is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained people often attempt to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.