How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is important that you know how to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.
Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique called "wheelies". The client must have large hands to be able extend the rims of the wheelchair, 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. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury to the wheelchair user and those surrounding them.
It is important that the chair seating position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. There are several ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates should be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is even pressure under their feet.
It is possible to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests may increase pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high.
A strap for the forehead can help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from weakness of the neck muscles. They can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
It is crucial that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are in a good position so that the user of the wheelchair isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this, it is best to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to the desired height.
A cushion that is well-fitted 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 surface of the wheelchair. In certain instances blisters and skin irritation may occur after sitting in a single position for long periods of time. To reduce the chances of pressure ulcers, the chair should be moved frequently.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move themselves independently and without the need for a person to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs since they have bigger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted on them. This enables them to travel over a wide range of surfaces without worrying about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.
Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to tighten and reduce the amount of force you can apply. It may also be helpful to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip materials built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you can use.
It is important to keep the front casters free of any debris like rocks and sticks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair, and could cause the loss of control and/or potential injury. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it could be beneficial to put some extra padding on the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or an easy step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or small steps and position 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 to ensure that you don't run into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and may be struck by other people. You can avoid this by being aware of people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, make sure you have someone with you to help you if you start to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is secure users must perform the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is particularly important when the chair is situated on a slope as the center of gravity could be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled way.
When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is in the right position, with the ideal being at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight remains over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.
To turn left with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair to the right so that you can remain sitting. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping in the reverse direction.
Refer to the user's manual that comes with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair can traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair might need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep gradients. In this case it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick towards you to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a stop and allow you to take off the footrests, prepare walking aids and leave the chair.
Steering
When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling the. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair structure and add-ons such as armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will manage. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters will allow a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast.
On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of the hand as this could cause injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns a corner. It is advised that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backwards 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 user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Also, in the event that they are traveling with an adult, they should make sure that they are ready to help when needed. If what is self propelled wheelchair will be used on a steep slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.
To turn to turn, the user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on a smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on a different surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily slide over if the technique isn't mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can ease the pressure on the user and help with turning. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers can try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.