• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to know how to use a self propelled wheelchair to use your wheelchair, and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this.

Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "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 implies, a lightweight self folding mobility scooters propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. This is the key for many to regaining their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.

The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable when seated in the chair. To ensure this, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them to ensure they are on the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is pressure on their feet.

The footrest height may need lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the bone of the seat 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 essential that if the chair has armrests that they are in an appropriate position to ensure that the wheelchair user does not hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this, it is best to use wheelchairs with removable or swing away armrests. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and put on the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable height.

A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is important, especially for those who are at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some instances the skin may be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for long periods of time and can cause blisters. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated frequently.

Pushing

self propelled wheelchairs for sale uk-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on many surfaces without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You may also find it helpful to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves that have grip material that is 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 free of any debris like sticks and rocks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair and can result in an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is very high, you might want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to help you climb a steep hill or an easy step. If you want to try this independently, more training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or small steps and set the front tires just before the edge.

It is important to have enough space in the front of you when going up an uphill. This will prevent you from running into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will increase speed quickly and could hit other people. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer ready to catch you in case you start to fall out of your wheelchair.

Braking

A self propelled wheelchair with elevated leg rest-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when the chair is situated on a slope, as the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled way.

Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 hours (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 on the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder, elbow and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right hand rim and then pull back the left rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to stop the chair from tipping forwards.

Refer to the user's manual that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair can travel. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair might need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep gradients. In this instance, it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member for help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").

To stop a wheel chair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will come to a stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids, and then safely leave the chair.

Steering

When using a self propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling the. There are many ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and accessories like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters allow a wheelchair to travel over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as quick.

On smooth, level surfaces on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must 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 encased around the rims of your hand as this could cause injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be prepared to assist when they need to. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.

To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of the wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair might easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and make turning much easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers often try to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.