How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. 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 called "wheelies". The client must have large hands to be able to reach the rims and also have the strength to push it forward.
Seating Position
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not be dependent on others. This is the most important factor for many who want to regain their independence or retaining it. It also reduces the chance of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as the people surrounding them.
It is important that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. There are several things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.
The footrest's height could require to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they could cause pressure on the seat bones and cause discomfort and pain.
A forehead strap can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair, particularly if they have neck muscles that are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a mobility expert.
It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests, they are in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't strike them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to a more comfortable height.
A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is crucial, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation can occur when sitting in a single position for a long time. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted to the wheels. This enables them to travel over a wide variety of surfaces without having to worry about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.
Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands to tighten and reduce the amount of force you are able to apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply.
It is essential to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and could lead to a loss of control and/or potential injury. If your seat-to-floor height is very high, you might think about adding extra padding on the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or an easy step. If self propelled wheelchairs lightweight My Mobility Scooters wish to attempt this on your own, further training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When doing this, it is crucial that you position the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and position the front wheels close to the curb's edge.
When you're pushing up a hill it is important to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and may collide with other people. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of those around you when you are on a slope and have a caregiver or a friend waiting to catch you in the event that you begin to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled chair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that the hand is placed in the correct position, usually at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain in a seated position. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. In this case it is recommended you ask a family member or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure that is required on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to move over the kerb at a greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs feature an option to climb the kerb that can assist in this process. It improves the wheelchair's climbing ability by about 10cm (4")
To stop a wheel chair you need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will then stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and safely leave the chair.
Steering
The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any accessories such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to travel over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as fast.
The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and result in over-corrections when the chair turns around. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different levels in order to find an optimum balance between lean and control.
For more difficult or difficult terrain, the wheelchair user should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or people. If they travel with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair is used on a slope, a caregiver must 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 other rim back. The wheelchair user should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on any other surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can help ease the pressure on the user, and help with turning. It is essential to be aware that untrained people will often push a wheelchair user against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them back.