How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is crucial to learn how to maneuver your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help train you in this area.

Wheelies are a popular technique for moving in a wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to span 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, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair and those who are around them.

The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To accomplish this, there are a few things you can do. First, the footplates need to be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around so they are facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.

It may be necessary to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests can put the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain when they are too high.

A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user upright in their wheelchair especially if they suffer from weakness of the neck muscles. They can be adapted to wheelchairs self propelled that do not have headrests by a mobility expert.

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

A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is crucial, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. These are because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become irritated and raw from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time and can also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated regularly.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for a person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel on many surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be careful not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. It may also be helpful to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair increase the amount of force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and could lead to the 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 push the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or a small step. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is essential that you place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and position the front wheels close to the edge of the curb.

It is important to leave enough space in the front of you when going up the hill. This will keep you from colliding with other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and might collide with other people. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of those around you when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is secure, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is particularly important when on a slope as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward if the braking action is not executed in a controlled way.

Always make sure your hand is in the correct position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain seated in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.

Check the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair for the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated manually to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended that you seek the assistance of someone you know or a family member and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you take off and remount your vehicle via ramps whenever you are able to. This will lessen the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature an option to climb the kerb which can aid in this process. It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")

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

Steering

If you are using a lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for controlling and steering. There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and accessories like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of all terrain self propelled wheelchair uk that a wheelchair will manage. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of your hand as this could cause injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backward to different degrees to determine an optimum balance between lean and control.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user must look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver they should be ready to help when needed. If the wheelchair is to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by an adult until the user has gained experience in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on a different surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily slide over if the technique isn't mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user and help with turning. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.