What Do You Know About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide 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 guide you in this area.
Many people maneuver their wheelchairs using a technique known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to extend these rims, and have a strong grip to propel forward.
Seating Position
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow you to move independently and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many to regaining their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury for the wheelchair user and those around them.
It is crucial that the chair seating position is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are what is self propelled wheelchair to do to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to place them directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.
The height of the footrest may require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain if they are too high.
A strap for the forehead can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. These can be adapted by a mobility specialist and can be used on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential to ensure that they are in the proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting their arms while they move. For this purpose it is recommended to choose a wheelchair with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.
A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is crucial, especially for those who are at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In certain instances, skin irritation and blisters can develop when being in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move on their own and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted to them. This lets them travel over a wide range of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or steps that are small.
Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to tighten and reduce the amount of force you can use. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip materials in the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.
It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as sticks and rocks. This material can make it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair as you would think. It could also lead to an increase in control or injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is extremely high, you may think about adding extra padding to the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you climb a steep hill or an easy step. If you'd like to accomplish this on your own, you'll need more training and practice under the supervision of medical professionals. 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 pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you don't cross paths with other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and may hit other people. You can avoid this by staying aware of other people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, make sure you have someone with you to help you if you fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is secure the user must use the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on a slope as the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled way.
Always ensure that your hand is in the correct position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over the rear wheels, making it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to sit in your chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In some instances the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated manually to climb steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended to seek assistance from an individual or a relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.
When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This will decrease the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres, which will allow you to move over the kerb at a faster speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option which can aid in this process. It improves the wheelchair's climbing ability by around 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair you need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids and safely leave the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in a variety of ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any add-ons like armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to travel over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as swift.
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 while pushing with both hands. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the hand rims, as this can cause injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different levels of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best balance between control and lean.
For more difficult or difficult terrain, the wheelchair user should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the wheelchair user looks over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, when they travel with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are able to assist when required. If the wheelchair is placed on a slope, a caregiver should 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 user of the wheelchair should practice this on a smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can help ease the pressure on the user and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair must ensure that their handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.