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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is essential to learn how to use a self propelled wheelchair to use your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Many people move their wheelchair using a technique 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 the wheelchair forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair and those around them.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable in the chair. There are many ways to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest 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.

It is possible to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests are too high they can put pressure on the bones of the seat and cause pain and discomfort.

A forehead strap can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright particularly for those with weakness of the neck muscles. They can be fitted by a specialist in mobility and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.

If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential to ensure they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms when they move. It is best to use an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests to accomplish this. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and put on the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable position.

It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become irritated and raw due to sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. It can also cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

used self propelled wheelchair propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.

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 decrease the force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will help improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.

It is crucial to keep the front casters clear of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair, and could lead to the loss of control or even injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some additional padding for the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or just a tiny step. If you'd like to accomplish this on your own, you'll need more training and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When you are doing this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and position the front wheels close to the curb's edge.

When you are pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure that you don't run into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will increase speed quickly and could collide with other people. To avoid this take care to be aware of those who are around you when you're on a slope and have a friend or carer prepared to help you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.

Braking

A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when on a slope, as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not performed in a controlled way.

Always ensure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping over in the reverse direction.

Always consult the user guide included with your wheelchair to confirm the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep gradients. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek the assistance of an individual or a relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever you are able to. This reduces the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option that can help with this process. It improves the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")

To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can take off the footrests or make walking aids before safely leaving the chair.

Steering

The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any accessories such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to glide over these rough surfaces, but the chair won't be as quick.

The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them evenly with each hand. The hands should not be encased around the rims of the hand in order to avoid injuries and cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The wheelchair user must keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when they need to. If the wheelchair is going to be used self propelled wheelchair on an inclined slope, it must be pushed or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may fall over if not properly mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and help with turning. It is essential to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them back.