10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is important that you learn how to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.

Wheelies are a common method to move in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have large hands to extend these rims, and have strong grip strength to propel forward.

Seating Position

Self-propelled wheelchairs enable you to move independently and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also minimises the risk of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. There are several ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest and then move the footrests to place them in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is pressure beneath their feet.

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 may increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain if they are too high.

A strap for the forehead can help keep the wheelchair user upright particularly for those with weakness of the neck muscles. They can be adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a professional in mobility.

It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are placed in an appropriate position so that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to use the wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests to accomplish this. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to a more comfortable height.

It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time. It may also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on many surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be careful not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.

Keep the front casters free of debris, such as rocks or sticks. This can make it difficult to move your wheelchair in the way you think.  mymobilityscooters  could cause an increase in control or injuries. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it might be useful to get some extra padding for the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you climb a steep hill or a small step. If you'd like to do this on your own, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When doing this, it is essential to place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and then place the front wheels just before the edge of the curb.

When pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure you don't run into other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and might collide with other people. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of people around you when you are on a slope and have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in case you start to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when on a slope, as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not applied in a controlled way.

Always make sure your hand is in the right position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn left with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allow 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 included with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some cases the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to overcome steep slopes. If this happens, it is advised to seek assistance from someone you know or a family member and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will minimize the amount of pressure required on the rear and front tyres, allowing you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also assist with this process by increasing the climbing capability of the chair by around 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can take off the footrests or make walking aids before safely getting out of the chair.

Steering

The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair structure and add-ons such as armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift.

On smooth, level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep the momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and lead to over-corrections when the chair makes in a circle. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different extents in order to find an 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 his or her shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with an adult, they should ensure that they are prepared to help when required. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by an adult until the user has gained experience in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could tip over if it is not properly mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user and help with turning. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair must ensure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.