How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for people with limited walking ability. It is essential to learn how to use your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Many people maneuver their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have large hands to span these rims and have a strong grip to propel forward.

Seating Position

As the name implies, a self propelled lightweight folding wheelchair propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair and those who are around them.

It is crucial that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are many ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around so they are facing the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.

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

A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user of a wheelchair upright particularly for those with neck muscles that are weak. They can be fitted by a mobility specialist and can be used with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is crucial to ensure that they are in a proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is recommended to use the wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests to accomplish this. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to an appropriate height.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some cases, skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in one position for a long time. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be repositioned regularly.

Pushing

electric self propelled wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have larger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted to their sides. This allows them to move over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps.

When you are moving forward with your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. It may also be helpful to wear a handrim protector or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve the hand's position and increase the amount of force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters clear of any debris like rocks and sticks. This can make it difficult to move your wheelchair in the way you think. It could also lead to an impairment in control and/or injuries. If the height of your seat to floor is high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.

When going up a curb or small step, it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. When doing this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and then place the front wheels just before the curb's edge.

When you're pushing up a hill, it is essential to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you don't run into other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space ahead of you. You could also crash with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of other people around you while on a slope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available to assist you in case you start to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is secure users must perform the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the centre of gravity to shift forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled way.

When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that the hand is placed in the correct position, with the ideal being at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and released at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.

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

Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair for the highest level of safety your chair can traverse. In some 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 the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure that is required on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to travel over the kerb with greater speed. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs can assist with this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, and you can take off the footrests or make walking aids before getting out of the chair.

Steering

When using a self propelled wheelchairs uk-self propelled wheelchair with power assist wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling the. This can be done in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any accessories such as armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can manage. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow wheelchairs to travel over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as quick.

The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing with a uniform hand. The hands should not be encased around the rims of the hand in order to avoid injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for more difficult terrain. It is crucial that the wheelchair user looks over both shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are prepared to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on the slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user has gained experience with this.

To turn to turn, the user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. The user of a wheelchair must practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair might easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and make turning a lot easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push a person in wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.