How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to those with limitations in walking. It is crucial to master the use of your wheelchair and let an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this.
Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to extend these rims, and have a strong grip to propel them forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.
It is essential that the chair seating position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To achieve this, there are a few options you can take. First, the footplates need to be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to make sure they are directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
The height of the footrest may require to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are not high enough, they can put pressure on the spine and cause discomfort and pain.
A strap for the forehead can help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from neck muscles that are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs without headrests by a specialist in mobility.
It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are in an appropriate position so that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. It is recommended to use an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and attached to the armrest's back in order to raise them to a more comfortable position.
It is also important that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some instances skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in one position for a long period of time. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated frequently.
Pushing
Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and eliminate the need for a third party to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This enables them to travel over a wide variety of surfaces without having to worry about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps.
As you move forwards with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. Too much pressure can cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you can use. It may also be useful to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves that have grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you apply.
It is essential to keep the front casters free of debris such as sticks and rocks. This material could make it hard to move your wheelchair as you would expect. It could also lead to an impairment in control and/or injuries. If the seat-to-floor distance is high, you might be thinking about adding extra padding to 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 are planning to do this on your own, additional training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare 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 close to the curb's edge.
It is important to leave enough space in front of you when pushing up an uphill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and might collide with other people. To help you avoid this, try to be aware of people who are around you when you're on a slope. Also, have a caregiver or a friend waiting to catch you in the event get more info that you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when the chair is on a slope, as the center of gravity could move forward if braking is not done in a controlled way.
Always make sure your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight get more info remains over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to sit in your chair. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping forwards.
Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair for the highest level of safety your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair might need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. In this instance, it is recommended that you ask a family member or family member to help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will decrease the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres, which will allow you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs have an option to climb the kerb that can help with this process. It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then 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
When using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be done in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any additional features such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. more info The size of the front casters, for example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces such here as cobblestone or grass. Large casters electric self propelled wheelchair allow a wheelchair to move over rough surfaces but the chair will not be as fast.
The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair turns around. It is advised that the wheelchair user test leaning back and forward to different extents in order to find an optimum balance between lean and control.
The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and plan ahead for terrain that is more challenging. It is essential that the user of the wheelchair looks over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are able to help when required. If the wheelchair is placed on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable, and the chair could fall over if not mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can help ease the pressure on the user, and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair must ensure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.