How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and to have a doctor/occupational therapist help guide you in this area.
Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have large hands to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair 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 the wheelchair user as well as the people who are around them.
It is essential that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are a variety of ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Release the footrest latch and swing the footrests around to place them directly in front of the chair. Make self propelled wheelchair with removable arms mymobilityscooters that the wheelchair user's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
It may be necessary to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the spine and increase pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap will assist the wheelchair user to stay upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential to ensure they are in a proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is best to choose an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests to accomplish this. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and glued to the armrest's back in order to raise them to a more comfortable level.
It is also essential that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, especially if the wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against surfaces of the wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can become irritated and raw because of sitting in a single position for long periods of time. This can cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.
Be cautious not to hold the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip materials 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 rocks and sticks. This can make it hard to move your wheelchair as you expect. It could also lead to a loss in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you may want to consider adding some extra padding on the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you climb a steep hill or a small step. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you do this, it is important to place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and place the front wheels just before the curb's edge.
When pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure that you don't cross paths with other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and might hit other people. To avoid this, try to be aware of people who are around you when you're on a slope and have a carer or friend ready to catch you in case you start to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a particular manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when the chair is on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not applied in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that the hand is in the right position, with the ideal being at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right so that you can remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the chair from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide included with your wheelchair to confirm the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some cases, the wheelchair may have to be removed temporarily and operated by hand to negotiate 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 traversing kerb stones, it is recommended to take off and remount your vehicle via ramps whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs can aid in this process by increasing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 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 then stop and allow you to take off the footrests, prepare walking aids and exit the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any additional features such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their 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, but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to move over rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as swift.
The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the hand rims in order to avoid injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.
For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair will be 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's rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. The wheelchair user should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on a different surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion is not mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and also make turning easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.