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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is important to learn how to move your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it.

Many people move their wheelchair using a technique called "wheelies". This requires the client to have hands large enough to extend these rims, and good grip strength 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 reduces the chance of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.

It is important that the chair seating position is comfortable for wheelchair users. To ensure this, there are several things you can do. First, the footplates need to be in the correct position. Lift the latch for the footrests and move the footrests so they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably 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). The footrests can put the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause pain and discomfort in the event that they are too high.

A forehead strap can assist the wheelchair user to stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a specialist in mobility.

If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is important that they are in a proper position so that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting their arms as they move. To ensure this, it is best to choose a wheelchair with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. Alternately, foam inserts can 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 properly-fitting cushion, particularly if a person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of a wheelchair. In certain instances skin irritation and blisters can occur when sitting in one position for a long period of time. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be moved frequently.

Pushing

lightweight self propelled wheelchairs-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need of someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have larger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted on their sides. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

As you move forwards with your chair, be careful not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you apply.

It is crucial to keep the front casters free of any debris like sticks and rocks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can lead to a loss of control and/or injury. If you have a high seat-to-floor height, it might be beneficial to put some extra padding for the front casters.

When going up a curb or small step it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just prior to the edge.

When you're pushing up a hill, it is essential to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure you don't cross paths with other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and might hit other people. To help you avoid this make sure you are aware of those in the vicinity when you are on a slope. You should also have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in case you start to fall off your wheelchair.

Braking

A lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward if the braking action is not applied in a controlled way.

Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when you push a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain sitting. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always read the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair may need to be dismounted temporarily and operated with a hand to climb steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek assistance from someone you know or a family member and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure required on the rear and front tyres, allowing you to traverse the kerb at a faster speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also assist with this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick to the side 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

If you are using a self propelled wheelchairs-propelled wheelchair, the user what is the lightest self propelled wheelchair responsible for steering and controlling the. There are numerous ways to do this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs vary in structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to be able to handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift.

On smooth and level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the hand rims in order to avoid injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair makes a turn. It is also advised that the wheelchair user try leaning back and forward to different degrees in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control.

The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if required. If the wheelchair is placed on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the.

To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and make turning easier. It is important to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them down.