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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is crucial to learn how to maneuver your chair and to consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to guide you in this area.

Wheelies are a common method for moving in a wheelchair. The client must have large hands in order to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel it forward.

Seating Position

As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the risk of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable when seated in the chair. There are a variety of ways to ensure this. First, make sure that the footplates are in the right position. Lift the latch for the footrests and swing the footrests around to make sure they are facing the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.

The footrest height may need lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can put the pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort when they are too high.

A forehead strap can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair especially if they suffer from weakness of the neck muscles. They can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user can move without hitting their arms when they move. To ensure this it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have armrests that can be removed or swivel away. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and put on the armrest's back to elevate them to a more comfortable height.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. 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 from sitting in the same position for long periods of time. This can cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Pushing

self propelled wheelchair with attendant brakes-propelled wheelchairs let users move their wheelchairs on their own without the need of someone to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted to the wheels. This lets them travel across a range of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.

When you are moving forward with your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. A lot of pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair, and could lead to an uncontrolled movement and/or potential injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is very high, you might think about adding extra padding on 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 do this yourself, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of medical professionals. When you do this, it is essential to place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and position the front wheels near the edge of the curb.

It is essential to leave enough space in the front of you when going up the hill. This will keep you from crashing into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will gain speed very 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 caregiver or a friend prepared to help you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair self propelled.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is secure the user must use the braking and steering actions in a certain manner. This is particularly important when the chair is on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity could move forward if braking is not done in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that the hand is placed in the right position, ideally at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two hours (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, making it easier to 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 hand rim, then pull back on the left rim. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.

Check the user's guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can travel. In some cases the wheelchair may need to be dismounted temporarily and operated by hand to overcome steep slopes. In this case, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for assistance and follow the steps in the User Guide.

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

To stop a wheel chair you need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will come to a stop which allows you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids and safely exit the chair.

Steering

The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are many ways to do this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure and size, as well as weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster, but they struggle with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters allow a wheelchair to travel over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as fast.

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 your hand, as this can cause injury and can cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between self control wheelchair and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair looks over their shoulders frequently to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are able to help when required. If the wheelchair is used on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.

To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. The wheelchair user should practice this on a smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily tip over if the action isn't mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of a wheelchair must ensure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.