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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability. It is crucial to know how to use your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.

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

Seating Position

As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those who are around them.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To ensure this, there are a few options you can take. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the latch on the footrest and move the footrests to place them facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to put their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.

It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest, especially if the user is hemiplegic. The footrests can increase the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high.

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

It is crucial that if the chair has armrests, they are in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to use an armrest that is removable or swing-away armrests for this purpose. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and glued to the armrest's back in order to raise them to a more comfortable position.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases skin irritation and blisters can occur when being in one position for a long time. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.

electric self propelled wheelchair  propelled wheelchairs allow users to move on their own and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on many surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You might also find it beneficial to wear 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 apply.

It is essential to keep the front casters clear of any debris like sticks and rocks. This can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you would expect. It can cause an impairment in control and/or injuries. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it could be beneficial to purchase extra padding for the front casters.

If you are climbing a small step or curb it is recommended you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and experience is required under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is essential that you place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels just before the edge of the curb.

When you are pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear path ahead of you so that you don't run into other people. You'll gain speed quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You could also end up colliding with someone else. You can avoid this by being aware of the people around you while on a slope. Also, have a friend or caregiver ready to help you if you fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is safe users must perform the braking and steering actions in a certain manner. This is particularly important when the chair is situated on a slope, as the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.

Always make sure your hand is in the right position when you push a wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair left, allowing you to stay in a seated position. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars to stop them from tipping backwards.

Consult the user guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. If this happens, it is recommended that you seek help from a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined 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 and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the chair by around 10cm (4").

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

Steering

When using a self propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for controlling and steering. There are many ways to accomplish this depending on the wheelchair's structure and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, as an example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters let a chair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to move over rough surfaces but the chair will not be as fast.

The user of a wheelchair must use 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 wrapped tightly around the hand rims because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair makes around. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with various degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users must plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair is used on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the.

To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily slide over if the technique is not properly mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.