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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 have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it.

Wheelies are a popular technique to move a wheelchair. This requires the client to have large hands to reach across the rims and have a strong grip to propel them forward.

Seating Position

As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many who want to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair and those who are around them.

It is important that the seat position is comfortable for wheelchair users. To ensure this, there are many things you can do. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around to place them directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is even pressure under their feet.

The height of the footrest may require to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests may increase the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain when they are too high.

A forehead strap can assist the wheelchair user to stay upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak.  mymobilityscooters  can be adapted to wheelchairs without headrests by a specialist in mobility.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is crucial to ensure they are in the right position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs with swing away or removable armrests. 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 essential, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In certain instances the skin may be irritated and rough from sitting in the same position for a long period of time. It can also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated regularly.

Pushing

Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to move on their own and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

When you are moving forward on your chair, take care not to grip the handle too hard. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.

Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. This material could make it hard to move your wheelchair as you would think. It could cause a loss in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.

If you are climbing an unassuming step or a curb it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just prior to the edge.

When pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure 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 might hit other people. To avoid this make sure you are aware of people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a carer or friend prepared to help you in the event you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate 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 a slope, as the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not applied in a controlled way.

Always ensure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn right in a wheelchair push forward on the right hand rim and pull back on the left rim. This will turn the wheelchair to the right and allow you to remain sitting. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the chair from tipping backwards.

Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can travel. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. In this situation it is recommended you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.

When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever you are able to. This will minimize the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to move over the kerb with greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests and prepare walking aids prior to leaving the chair.

Steering

The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair structure and the additions like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance, can decide the type of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters can let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast.

The user of a wheelchair should place 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 should not be tucked tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and lead to over-corrections when the chair turns a turn. It is recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning back and forward to different extents to determine an optimum balance between lean and control.

For more difficult or difficult terrain, the wheelchair user should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the wheelchair user looks over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with an adult, they should ensure that they are ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on the slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar with this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable, and the chair could fall over if not properly mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will relieve some pressure off the user and make turning easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the wheelchair user should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.