starneedle8

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence to those who have limitations in walking. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and to have a doctor/occupational therapist help train you in this area. Many people maneuver their wheelchairs using a technique called “wheelies”. The client must have large hands to be able reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel it forward. Seating Position As the name implies, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury to the wheelchair user and those who are around them. The wheelchair user must be comfortable in the chair. There are many ways to ensure this. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around to place them in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest particularly if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests are too high they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort. A strap for the forehead can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted by a mobility expert and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests. It is crucial that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in a good position so that the wheelchair user doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose the wheelchair with swing-away or removable armrests for this purpose. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height. A cushion that is well-fitted for a wheelchair is essential, particularly if a wheelchair user is at high risk for skin breakdown or pressure sores. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become irritated and raw because of sitting in a single position for a prolonged period of time. It may also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be repositioned regularly. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs since they have larger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted to their sides. This allows them to move over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps. When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You might also find it beneficial to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply. It is important to keep the front casters clear of any debris like sticks and rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and can result in a loss of control or even injury. If the height of your seat to floor is high, you might think about adding extra padding to the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or just a tiny step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or with small steps and position the front tires just before the edge. It is crucial to leave plenty of space in the front of you when going up an uphill. This will prevent you from crashing into other people. You'll speed up quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You may also collide with someone else. You can avoid this by staying aware of people in the vicinity when you are on an upslope. Also, have someone with you to help you if you start to fall from your wheelchair. Braking A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and controlling actions in a certain manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled manner. When pushing My Mobility Scooters , make sure that the hand is in the right position, ideally at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. 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 refer to the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some instances the wheelchair might need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber feature that can help with this process. It improves the wheelchair's climbing ability by 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids and safely leave the chair. Steering The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. There are numerous ways to accomplish this depending on the wheelchair structure and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will manage. Small casters allow a chair to move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters can let wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but they will not be as swift. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing with a uniform hand. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of the hand in order to avoid injuries and cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with various degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The wheelchair user must look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver, they should be ready to assist if required. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar in this. To turn to turn, the user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the chair could tip over if it is not 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 untrained strangers tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them back.