How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for those who have limitations in walking. It is crucial to learn how to maneuver your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it.
Wheelies are a popular technique to move a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands large enough to span these rims and have strong 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 reduces the chance of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.
The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable when seated in the chair. To accomplish this, there are a few options you can take. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Release the footrest latch and move the footrests to place them directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure on their feet.
The height of the footrest may require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high.
A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a mobility expert.
If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential to ensure they are in a proper position so that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms as they move. To ensure this, it is best to use wheelchairs that have swing away or removable armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to a more comfortable height.
easy self-propelled wheelchair is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. 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 due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time and may also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs let users move themselves independently and without the need for a person to push them. They are easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be careful not to grip your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands tighten and reduce the amount of force you are able to apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip material on the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the amount of force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. This material could make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you think. It can also lead to a loss in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you might want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.
When climbing a small step or curb it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you are planning to do this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you do this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and place the front wheels just before the curb's edge.
It is important to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from crashing into other people. You will gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You may also collide with another person. To prevent this from happening, try to be aware of the people around you when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer ready to catch you in the event that you begin to fall from 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 especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.
Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right, allowing you to stay seated. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping forwards.
Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair for the most safe slope your chair can traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair might need to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended to seek assistance from an individual or a relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.
When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres and allow you to traverse the kerb at a faster speed. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can also assist with this process by increasing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, and you can take off the footrests or prepare walking aids before getting out of the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they won't be nearly as fast.
The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing them with both hands. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and lead to over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that the user of a wheelchair experiment with leaning forward and backward to different degrees to find the optimal balance between leaning and control.
For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are prepared to assist when required. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other rim forwards. The wheelchair user must practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on a different surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user, making turning easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers can try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of a wheelchair must ensure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.