How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability. It is crucial to learn how to maneuver your chair and to consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to teach you how to use it.
Wheelies are a popular technique for moving a wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands large enough to reach across the rims and have strong grip strength to propel forward.
Seating Position
Like the name suggests, 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 risk of injury for the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people surrounding them.
It is crucial that the seat position is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are many ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates need to be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and swing the footrests around to place them in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is even pressure beneath their feet.
It could be necessary to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests may increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain if 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 adapted by a mobility specialist and can be used with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.
If the wheelchair has armrests it is essential that they are in the right position and that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is best to use an armrest that is swing-away or removable armrests for this purpose. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable position.
It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances the skin may become dry and irritated due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time and may also cause blisters. To decrease the chance of pressure ulcers, the chair should be moved regularly.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles that are fitted to them. This lets them travel across a range of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.
When you are moving forward on your chair, take care not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. It may also be helpful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip material built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.
It is crucial to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. This material can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you would think. It can also lead to a loss in control and/or injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you might want to consider adding some extra padding on the front casters.
If self propelled wheelchair with elevated leg rest My Mobility Scooters are climbing a small step or curb it is recommended that you have a person with you to push the wheelchair assistance. If you want to try this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or small steps and position the front tires just before the edge.
It is important to leave plenty of space in the front of you when going up a hill. This will stop you from colliding with other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and may hit other people. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope and have a carer or friend waiting to catch you in case you start to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
A self-propelled chair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled way.
When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that your hand is in the right position, ideally at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder wrist, elbow and elbow joint.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim and then pull back the left hand rim. This will turn the wheelchair right and allow you to remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping forwards.
Check the user's guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair can travel. In some cases the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated manually to climb steep slopes. In this case it is recommended you ask a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature an option to climb the kerb that can help with this process. It boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")
To stop a wheelchair, push 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 or make walking aids before getting out of the chair.
Steering
The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in various ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any additional features such as armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters let a chair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick.
The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims and pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the hand rims in order to avoid injury and can cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. It is essential that the wheelchair user looks over both shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are prepared to help when needed. If the wheelchair is to be used on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience with this.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the chair could slide over if not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this can relieve some pressure off the user, making turning easier. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.