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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is essential to learn how to use your wheelchair and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this. Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique called "wheelies". The user must have big hands in order to reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel it forward. Seating Position Self propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many people to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as the people around them. The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. There are a variety of things to do to ensure this. First, ensure that the footplates are in the right position. Lift the latch for the footrests and move the footrests to place them in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet. It is possible to lower the footrest height particularly if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and increase pain and discomfort. A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user upright in their wheelchair, particularly if they have weakness of the neck muscles. These can be fitted by a specialist in mobility and can be used with wheelchairs that do not include headrests. It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are placed in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't strike them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is essential, particularly when a person who uses a wheelchair is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can be irritated and rough from sitting in the same position for a long period of time. This may also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of pressure ulcers, the chair should be repositioned regularly. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for someone to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move across a variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps. Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You might also find it helpful to wear a handrim protector or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you apply. It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as sticks and 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 injuries. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you might think about adding extra padding to 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 need more training and practice under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just before the edge. When you're pushing up a hill it is crucial to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you don't cross paths with other people. You will gain speed quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with another person. To avoid this take care to be aware of the people who are around you when you're on a slope. You should also have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in case you start to fall out of your wheelchair. Braking A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is placed on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity can move forward if braking is not done in a controlled way. When pushing wheelchair self propelled folding ensure that the hand is placed in the correct position, ideally at ten hours (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 placed over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair to the right so that you can remain sitting. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping over forwards. Always read the user's guide provided with your wheelchair to confirm the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. If this happens, it is advised to seek help from someone you know or a family member and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide. When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps as often as you can. This will reduce the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs will assist with this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4"). To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or make walking aids before exiting the chair. Steering The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair structure and the additions like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster, but they struggle with rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces but it won't be nearly as fast. On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to maintain the momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair makes around. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean. The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. It is important that the user of the wheelchair looks over both shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Also, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they should make sure that they are ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is used on a steep slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this. To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily fall over if the motion is not mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and make turning a lot easier. It is essential to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them down.
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