How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this.

Wheelies are a very popular method to move a wheelchair. The client must have large hands to be able to span the rims, and have enough grip strength to propel the wheelchair forward.

Seating Position

best self propelled wheelchair-best self propelled wheelchair uk wheelchairs allow you to move independently and not be dependent on others. This is the most important factor for many to regaining their independence or retaining it. It also reduces the chance of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. There are a variety of things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, make sure that the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch, then swing them round so that they are at the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.

The height of the footrest may require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the spine and cause discomfort and pain.

A strap for the forehead can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. They can be adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a specialist in mobility.

If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential to ensure that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user can move without hitting their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to choose a wheelchair with removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height.

A cushion that is well-fitted for a wheelchair is important, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances the skin may become irritated and raw due to sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time and may also cause blisters. To minimize the risk of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be repositioned frequently.

Pushing

lightest self propelled wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted on them. This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps.

Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You might also find it helpful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip materials built into the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.

It is crucial to keep the front casters clear of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters have been covered with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair, and could cause the loss of control and/or potential injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is high, you might want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.

When climbing an unassuming step or a curb it is recommended you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you want to try this on your own, additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or small steps and set the front tires just prior to the edge.

It is essential to leave enough space in front of you when pushing up a hill. This will keep you from crashing into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, how to use a Self propelled wheelchair you'll gain speed very quickly and may collide with other people. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a carer or friend ready to catch 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 specific manner. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the centre of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not applied in a controlled manner.

Always ensure that your hand is in the correct position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains on the rear wheels, How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.

To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim, then pull back on the left rim. This will turn the wheelchair left, allowing you to stay in a seated position. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always refer to the user guide that comes with your chair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. In this case it is recommended you seek out a friend or family member for assistance and follow the steps in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by increasing the capacity of the chair by around 10cm (4").

To stop a wheel chair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can take off the footrests or make walking aids prior to exiting the chair.

Steering

The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance, can decide the type of terrain a wheelchair can be able to handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as fast.

The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing them with both hands. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of your hand as this could cause injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that the user of a wheelchair try leaning forward and backwards to different levels in order to find an optimal balance between leaning and control.

The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and plan ahead for terrain that is more challenging. The wheelchair user must keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver, they should be prepared to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is used on a steep slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user what is a self propelled wheelchair comfortable with the.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could slide over if not properly mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power assisted self propelled wheelchair wheels, this will take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning a lot easier. It is crucial to be aware that untrained people tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them back.