The Reasons You'll Want To Read More About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to those who have limitations in walking. It is crucial to learn how to move your chair and consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to train you in this area.
Wheelies are a common method to move a wheelchair. The person using the wheelchair must have large hands to be able to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and also have the strength to push it forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury to both the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. To ensure this, there are many things you can do. First, the footplates need to be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.
It could be necessary to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are too high they can put pressure on the seat bones and increase pain and discomfort.
A strap for the forehead can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a mobility expert.
It is essential that if the wheelchair comes with armrests, they are in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user does not hit them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height.
A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is important, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some instances the skin may be irritated and rough because of sitting in a single position for a long period of time. It may also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted on them. They can travel across a variety of surfaces, without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can use. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and can cause the loss of control or even injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you might be thinking about adding extra padding on the front casters.
When climbing a small step or curb, it is recommended that you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you'd like to accomplish this independently, you will require more instruction and practice under the supervision of a health professional. When you are doing this, it is important to place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels just before the curb's edge.
It is crucial to have enough space in the front of you when going up a hill. This will prevent you from running into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and could be struck by other people. To prevent this from happening take care to be aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope and have a friend or carer ready to catch you in the event you begin to fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is safe, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a specific way. This is particularly important when the chair is situated on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity could move forward if brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.
Always make sure your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally, self propelled wheelchair mymobilityscooters should place it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps keep the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right hand rim and then pull back the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping over backwards.
Always refer to the user guide that comes with your wheelchair 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 operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for assistance and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended to remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerb-climber option that can help with this process. It improves the ability of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will then come to a stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids, and then safely leave the chair.
Steering
The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and accessories like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces however, 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 rims of the hand and pushing with both hands. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and cause over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user try leaning forward and backwards to different levels to find the optimal balance between leaning and control.
For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users must prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The wheelchair user must look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they should be prepared to assist when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on a slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair may tip over if it is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this could reduce some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier. It is also helpful to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the wheelchair user should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.