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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to those with limitations in walking. It is crucial to master the use of your wheelchair and have occupational therapy or a doctor assist you with this.

Many people maneuver their wheelchairs using a technique called "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to span these rims and have a strong grip to propel forward.

Seating Position





As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. This is the key for many people to regain their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people who are around them.

It is important that the seat position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To accomplish this, there are many options you can take. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Lift the latch for the footrests and swing the footrests around to place them facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.

It could be necessary to lower the footrest height particularly if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause pain and discomfort.

A forehead strap can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a specialist in mobility.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is important that they are in the proper position and that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting their arms as they move. It is best to use the wheelchair with swing-away or movable armrests to accomplish this. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases skin irritation and blisters can occur when sitting in a single position for long periods of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and free themselves from the need for a third party to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted to their sides. This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or steps that are small.

As you move forwards with your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Too much pressure can cause your hands get cramped and limit the amount of force you can use. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip materials in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you use.

Keep the front casters free of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and could cause the loss of control or even injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you might think about adding extra padding to the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or a small step. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you are doing this, it is important that you position the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels just before the edge of the curb.

When pushing up best self propelled wheelchair is important to have a clear path ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will increase speed quickly and may collide with other people. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on the 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 the user must use the braking and steering actions in a specific manner. This is especially important when the chair is on a slope as the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.

Always ensure that your hand is in the right position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain in your chair. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always consult 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 gradients. If this is the case, it is recommended that you seek help from an individual or a relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps whenever you are able to. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option that can help with this process. It boosts the wheelchair's climbing ability by about 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair 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 stop and you can take off the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to exiting the chair.

Steering

When using a self propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling. There are many ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and accessories like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as swift.

On smooth surface that is level, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep the momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped 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 also recommended that the wheelchair user try leaning forward and backward to different levels to determine an optimal balance between lean and control.

The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. The wheelchair user should look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if needed. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by an adult until the user has gained experience in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the opposite rim back. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could tip over if it is not mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can relieve some pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the wheelchair user should make sure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.