Lona Westbury

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is essential to master the use of your wheelchair, and have occupational therapy or a doctor assist you with this.

Wheelies are a common method for moving 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, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself 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 using the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.

The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable when seated in the chair. To achieve this, there are many things you can do. First, make sure the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch and swing them round so that they are at the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to put their feet on the footplates, and that there is pressure on their feet.

The footrest height may need lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain when 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 adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a professional in mobility.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is crucial to ensure they are in the right position so that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting their arms while they move. For this purpose, it is best self-propelled wheelchair to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.

It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, especially if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In certain instances, skin irritation and blisters may occur after being in one position for a long time. To decrease the chance of pressure ulcers, the chair should be repositioned regularly.

Pushing

lightweight self propelled wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move independently, without the need of someone to push them. They are easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.

Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands get cramped and limit 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 help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you apply.

Keep the front casters free of any debris, like rocks or sticks. This material can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you would expect. It could cause a loss in control and/or injuries. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some 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'd like to accomplish this independently, you will require additional training and experience under the supervision of medical professionals. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or small steps and position the front tires just before the edge.

When pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure that you don't cross paths with other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with another person. To help you avoid this, try to be aware of people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. You should also have a carer or friend prepared to help you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is secure users must perform the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled way.

When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that your hand is in the proper position, with the ideal being at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping forwards.

Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair can travel. In some instances the wheelchair might need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this situation it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member for help and follow the directions in the User Guide.

When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended to remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerb-climber feature that can help with this process. It boosts the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheel chair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will come to a halt which allows you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids, and then safely exit the chair.

Steering

The user is responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone or 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 allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift.

The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing with a uniform hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair makes a turn. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different extents in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control.

For more difficult or challenging terrain, the wheelchair user should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver they should be prepared to assist when required. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on a slope, it should be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.

To turn to turn, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. It is best self propelled wheelchair to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could fall over if not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this could relieve some pressure off the user, making turning much easier. It is crucial to be aware that untrained people tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them inwards.