15 Things You're Not Sure Of About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
15 Things You're Not Sure Of About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair
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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence to people with limited walking ability. It is important that you know how to use your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.
Wheelies are a common method for moving a wheelchair. The client must have large hands to be able span the rims, and have enough grip strength to propel it forward.
Seating Position
Like the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also minimises the risk of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those who are around them.
The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To achieve this, there are many options you can take. First, ensure that the footplates are in the proper position. Release the latch on the footrest and then move the footrests to make sure they are directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
The footrest's height could require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are not high enough, they could cause pressure on the spine and increase pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap can help keep the wheelchair user upright particularly for those with neck muscles that are weak. These can be adapted by a mobility specialist and are compatible with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
If the wheelchair has armrests, it is important to ensure that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user can move without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is recommended to use an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height.
It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the wheelchair surfaces. In some cases skin irritation and blisters can develop when being in one position for long periods of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel across a variety of surfaces, without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. It may also be beneficial to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you can use.
It is important to keep the front casters clear of any debris like rocks and sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can cause an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or a small step. If you want to try this on your own, additional training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or small steps and position the front tires just before the edge.
When you are pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear space ahead of you so that you don't run into other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and might hit other people. To help you avoid this make sure you are aware of people who are around you when you're on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in the event you begin to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is safe users must perform the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the centre of gravity to shift 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 check here at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two 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 to keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right hand rim and pull back on the left rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to sit in your chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always refer to the user guide included with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. In this instance it is recommended you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide.
When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure that is required on the front and rear tyres and allow you to move over the kerb with greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerb-climber feature that can help with this process. It boosts the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to de-clutch the motor and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a click here halt, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and click here leave the chair.
Steering
The user is responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs vary in design and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, as an example can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone check here or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they won't be nearly as fast.
On smooth and level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to keep momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing them evenly with each hand. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of your hand as this could cause injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is also recommended that the wheelchair user test leaning forward and backward to different levels to determine an optimal balance between leaning and control.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more difficult terrain. It is essential that the user of the wheelchair look over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, when they travel with an adult, they should make sure that they are ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. The read more wheelchair user should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion isn't mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can help ease the pressure on the user, and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, therefore the wheelchair user must ensure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.