How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is crucial to master the use of your wheelchair and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this.
all terrain self propelled wheelchair maneuver their wheelchairs using a technique called "wheelies". The user must have big hands in order to span the rims, and also have the strength to push it forward.
Seating Position
As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury for the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those around them.
The wheelchair user must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. There are many things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Release the footrest latch and then move the footrests so 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 pressure beneath their feet.
The footrest height may need 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 if they are too high.
A strap for the forehead can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.
It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are placed in an appropriate position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't strike them with their arms when they move. It is best to use a wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests for this purpose. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.
It is also important 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 can occur when the skin rubs against surface of the wheelchair. In some instances the skin may be irritated and rough because of sitting in a single position for a prolonged period of time. This may also cause blisters. To minimize the risk of developing pressure ulcers, the chair should be moved regularly.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move over a wide range of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps.
As you move forwards with your chair, take care not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You may also find it useful to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.
It is essential to keep the front casters clear of any debris, such as sticks and rocks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and can lead to a loss of control and/or 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 push the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or an easy step. If you want to do this yourself, you'll require additional training and experience under the supervision of an expert in health care. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just prior to the edge.
When you are pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear area ahead of you so that you don't get in the way of other people. You will gain speed quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You could also crash with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or caregiver ready to help you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is placed on a slope as the centre of gravity can move forward if braking is not done in a controlled way.
When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that your hand is in the correct position, usually at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.
To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to remain in your chair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the chair from tipping forwards.
Always refer to the user guide that comes with your chair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. If this is the case, it is advised to seek the assistance of someone you know or a family member and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you take off and remount your vehicle via 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. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber feature that can assist in this process. It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick to the side to de-clutch the motor and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, set up walking aids and safely leave the chair.
Steering
When using a self propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any accessories such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design 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 such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces but it will not be as swift.
The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and lead to over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with various degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more difficult terrain. The wheelchair user should look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be assisted or driven by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. The user of the wheelchair should practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on a different surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily tip over if the action is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.