How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is important that you master the use of your wheelchair, and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this.

Wheelies are a very popular method to move in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have large hands to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward.

Seating Position

As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people who are around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. There are many things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, make sure the footplates are 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 seated comfortably on the footplates.

The height of the footrest may require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can put the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.

A strap for the forehead can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a mobility specialist and can be used with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests, they are in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose a wheelchair with swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and attached to the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable position.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation can occur when sitting in one position for a long time. To decrease the chance of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be rotated regularly.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move on their own and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have bigger rear wheels and pushing handles that are fitted to them. They can be used across a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You may also find it useful to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.

Keep the front casters clear of debris, such as sticks or rocks. If the casters have been covered with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and could lead to an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If you have a very high seat-to-floor height, it could 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 a small step. If you want to try this on your own, additional training and experience is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and place the front tires just before the edge.

It is important to leave enough space in the front of you when going up an uphill. This will keep you from crashing into other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You may also collide with another person. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of the people around you when you are on a slope. Also, have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled chair requires the user to perform all terrain self propelled wheelchair uk the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when the chair is situated on an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled way.

When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that the hand is placed in the correct position, usually at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn right in a wheelchair push forward on the right hand rim, then pull back on the left rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allows you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to stop more info them from tipping backwards.

Always refer to the user guide included with your chair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In certain situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended to seek assistance from an individual or a relative and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available 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 wheelchair, pull the joystick inward towards you to release the motor, and then release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to getting out of the chair.

Steering

When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. 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 differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters let wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces but it isn't as fast.

On smooth surface that is level the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. The hands should not be encased around the rims of the hand as this could cause injuries and lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with various degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users must be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the user read more of the wheelchair look over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, when they travel with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is used on a steep slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with click here this.

To turn to turn, the user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other forwards. It is more info recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could tip over if it is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this can relieve some pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person in the wheelchair against their will, so the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.