How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to people with limited walking ability. It is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and to consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to guide you in this area.

Many people move their wheelchair by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have a strong grip to propel them forward.

Seating Position

self propelled wheelchairs-propelled wheelchairs enable you to move independently and not be dependent on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence, or keeping it. It also reduces the risk of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To ensure this, there are several ways to go about it. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them round so that they are in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is even pressure under their feet.

It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests can put pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort when they are too high.

A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used on wheelchairs that do not include headrests.

If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is crucial to ensure they are in the right position and that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose a wheelchair with swing-away or removable armrests for this purpose. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to an appropriate height.

A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is essential, particularly when a person who uses a wheelchair is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation may occur after being in one position for a long time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have bigger rear wheels and push handles fitted on the wheels. They can be used across various surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you can use. It may also be beneficial to wear a handrim protector or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.

Keep the front casters clear of debris, such as rocks or sticks. This material could make it hard to move your wheelchair as you would think. It could also lead to a loss in control and/or injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you might want to consider adding some extra padding to the front casters.

If you are climbing an unassuming step or a curb, it is recommended that you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When doing this, it is crucial to place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and place the front wheels near the curb's edge.

It is essential to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will keep you from running into other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with another person. You can avoid this by being aware of the people around you while on an upslope. Also, have an adult or caregiver available to assist you in case you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A lightweight self folding mobility scooters-propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not applied in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that the hand is placed in the correct position, with the ideal being at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel and released at two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

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

Always read the user's guide included with your chair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. In this situation it is recommended you ask a family member or family member for help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to move over the kerb with greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with an option to climb the kerb that can help with this process. It improves the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick inward towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop and you can take off the footrests and prepare walking aids before safely leaving the chair.

Steering

The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be accomplished in different ways dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as fast.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing with a uniform hand. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of your hand in order to avoid injuries and result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.

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 looks over their shoulders frequently to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are able to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user must push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The wheelchair user must practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on any other surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power assisted self propelled wheelchair wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also helpful to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.