How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for people with limitations in their walking. It is important to learn how to move your chair and consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to teach you how to use it.
Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have hands that are large enough to span these rims and good grip strength to propel them forward.
Seating Position
As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury for the wheelchair user as well as the people who are around them.
The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. There are several ways to ensure this. First, the footplates should be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
The footrest's height could require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests may increase pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high.
A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying straight, particularly if their neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a professional in mobility.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is important to ensure that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user can move without hitting them with their arms as they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs with removable or swing away armrests. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the back of the armrest in order to raise them to a more comfortable height.
It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of a wheelchair. In some cases blisters and skin irritation may occur after 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 themselves independently and without the need for someone to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles that are fitted to the wheels. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.
As you move forwards with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You may also find it useful to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves that have grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of any debris, like rocks or sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can lead to the loss of control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is high, you may want to consider adding some extra padding to the front casters.
If you are climbing a small step or curb it is recommended you have a person with you to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you wish to attempt this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and position the front tires close to the edge.
It is crucial to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also crash with someone else. To prevent this from happening, try to be aware of people who are around you when you're on a slope. You should also have a carer or friend prepared to help you in the event that you begin to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is secure the user must use the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the centre of gravity to move forward if the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is in the proper position, usually at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel and released at two o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to remain seated in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping backwards.
Consult the user guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. In this instance, it is recommended that you ask a family member or family member for assistance and follow the steps in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by increasing the ability of the chair by around 10cm (4").
To stop a wheel chair you need to release the brakes gently and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests and prepare walking aids before getting out of the chair.
Steering
The user is accountable for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in various ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters let a chair move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as quick.
The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This can be done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is also advised that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different degrees in order to find an optimum balance between lean and control.
Related Home Page using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for more challenging terrain. It is important that the wheelchair user looks over their shoulders frequently to avoid hitting objects or other people. Also, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are prepared to assist if required. If the wheelchair is placed on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.
To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may tip over if it is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this can reduce some of the pressure off the user and make turning easier. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.
