Adolph Meeson

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair, and have occupational therapy or a doctor assist you in this.

Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". The client must have large hands to be able to reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel the wheelchair forward.

Seating Position

self propelled all terrain wheelchair propelled wheelchairs allow you to move independently and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many who want to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also minimises the risk of injury to the person using the wheelchair and those who are around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. To achieve this, there are several ways to go about it. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them to ensure they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates.

It is possible to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the bones of the seat and cause pain and discomfort.

A forehead strap can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs without headrests by a professional in mobility.

It is important that if the chair has armrests, they are in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and glued to the armrest's back to elevate them to a more comfortable level.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of a wheelchair. In some cases skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in one position for a long time. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.

Pushing

lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted on their sides. They can travel across many surfaces without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to hold the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply.

It is essential to keep the front casters free of debris such as sticks and rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and could cause a loss of control and/or injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it might be useful to get some additional padding for the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or just a tiny step. If you want to do this independently, you will require additional training and experience under the supervision of medical professionals. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or with small steps and place the front tires close to the edge.

When you are pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear path ahead of you so that you don't cross paths with other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and may hit other people. You can avoid this by staying aware of other people around you while on a slope. Also, make sure you have a friend or caregiver ready to help you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is secure, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is particularly crucial when the chair is on a slope, as the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not applied in a controlled manner.

Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps keep the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn left 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 turn the wheelchair right and allow you to remain seated. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always read the user's guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. If this is the case it is recommended to seek help from someone you know or a family member and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to move over the kerb with greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber feature that can assist in this process. It boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. 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 steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can be able to handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs self propelled to move over rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and cause over-corrections as the chair turns a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between self control wheelchair and lean.

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 are travelling with a caregiver, they must be prepared to assist when needed. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the opposite rim back. The wheelchair user must practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can ease the pressure on the user, and also make turning easier. It is important to be aware that untrained people tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them down.