How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for people with limitations in walking. It is essential to know how to move your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to teach you how to use it.
Many people move their wheelchair using a technique called "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to reach across the rims and have strong grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many to regaining their independence or maintaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people surrounding them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. There are several things to do to ensure this. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Release the latch on the footrest and move the footrests so they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is enough pressure beneath their feet.
The footrest height may need lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort in the event that they are too high.
A strap for the forehead can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a specialist in mobility and can be used on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
It is crucial that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in the correct position so that the wheelchair user does not strike them with their arms when they move. To achieve this, it is best to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and put on the armrest's back to elevate them to a more comfortable position.
It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of a wheelchair. In certain instances skin irritation and blisters can occur when sitting in a single position for a long period of time. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be repositioned regularly.
Pushing
Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and eliminate the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used across many surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. A lot of pressure could cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip material in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you use.
It is crucial to keep the front casters clear of any debris, such as sticks and rocks. This can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you think. It could also lead to an increase in control or injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some additional padding for the front casters.
When going up a curb or small step it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you'd like to do this independently, you will require additional training and experience under the supervision of medical professionals. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or with small steps and position the front tires just prior to the edge.
It is important to leave plenty of space in front of you when pushing up an uphill. This will stop you from colliding with other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space ahead of you. You could also end up colliding with someone else. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of those who are around you when you're on a slope. You should also have a friend or carer prepared to help you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is safe, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a certain manner. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled way.
Always make sure your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to keep the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair push forward on the right rim and then pull back the left rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn right and will allow you to remain seated in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping forwards.
Always read the user's guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some instances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated with a hand to climb steep slopes. In this case, it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended that you remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever you are able to. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the chair by around 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick towards you to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to leaving the chair.
Steering
When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for steering and controlling the. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any accessories such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters let a chair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces but it will not be as swift.
The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. what is self propelled wheelchair My Mobility Scooters is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and result in over-corrections as the chair turns a turn. It is also recommended that the user of a wheelchair experiment with leaning back and forward to different levels to find the optimal balance between lean and control.
For more difficult or challenging terrain, the wheelchair user should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. It is essential that the user of the wheelchair looks over their shoulders frequently to avoid hitting objects or other people. Also, when they travel with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are able to help when needed. If the wheelchair is going to be used on the slope, it should be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on 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. The wheelchair's power wheels can ease the burden on the user and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should ensure that the handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.