Quiz: How Much Do You Know About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair?
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About How To Use A Self Propelled Wheelchair?
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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is crucial to know how to use your wheelchair and let occupational therapy or a doctor assist you in this.
Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have a strong grip to propel forward.
Seating Position
As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many who want to regain their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people who are around them.
The wheelchair user must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To achieve this, there are several things you can do. First, make sure that the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are at the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is even pressure on their feet.
The footrest's height could require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are not high enough, they could cause pressure on the bones of the seat and increase pain and discomfort.
A forehead strap can be used to help keep the wheelchair user upright particularly for those with weak neck muscles. These can be fitted by a specialist in mobility and can be used with wheelchairs that do not have headrests.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential that they are in the proper position and that the user of the wheelchair can propel without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is recommended to use an armrest that is removable or swing-away armrests to accomplish this. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.
It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In certain instances blisters and skin irritation can occur when sitting in one position for long periods of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move on their own and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used across many surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.
When you are moving forward on your chair, take care 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 use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of any debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and could result in an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If you have a high seat-to-floor height, it could be useful to get some extra padding on the front casters.
When climbing a small step or curb it is recommended that you have a person with you to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you are planning to do this on your own, additional training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you are doing this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and then place the front wheels close to the edge of the curb.
It is important to have enough space in the front of you when going up a hill. This will prevent you from crashing into other people. If you get more info don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and might hit other people. To avoid this take care to be aware of the people around you when you are on a slope. Also, have a carer or friend waiting to catch you in case you start to fall off your wheelchair.
Braking
To ensure that the wheelchair is safe the user must use the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is especially important when the chair is situated on a slope as the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not performed in a controlled way.
Always ensure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over the rear wheels, making it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim and pull back on the left rim. here This will turn the wheelchair to the right, allowing you to stay sitting. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping backwards.
Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair for the maximum safe slope your chair can travel. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated manually to negotiate steep slopes. If this is the case, it is advised to seek the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the instructions in the User Guide.
When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended to remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever you are able to. This will decrease the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can aid in this process by enhancing the ability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4").
To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests click here or make walking aids prior to getting out of the chair.
Steering
The user is responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, as an example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster but struggle with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they won't be nearly as fast.
On smooth and level surfaces on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must push the wheels using both hands to maintain momentum. This can get more info be done by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the rims of your hand as this could cause injuries and could lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that the user of a wheelchair experiment with leaning forward and backwards to different degrees to find the optimum balance between lean and control.
For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or other people. If they travel with a caregiver they should be ready to help when they need to. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on the slope, it should be assisted or driven by an adult until the user is familiar with this.
To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other hand forwards. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may fall over if not mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can help reduce the pressure on the user and help with turning. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push someone in wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user should ensure that the website handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.