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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability. It is crucial to know how to use your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this. Wheelies are a common method to move the wheelchair. The client must have large hands in order to span the rims, and have enough grip strength to propel it forward. Seating Position Like the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them. The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To achieve this, there are many ways to go about it. First, ensure that the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are on the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates. It is possible to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are too high they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause discomfort and pain. A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a professional in mobility. It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests, they are in a good position so that the wheelchair user does not strike them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the armrest's back to raise them up to a more comfortable level. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is crucial, especially if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases the skin may become irritated and raw because of sitting in a single position for a prolonged period of time and can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. Pushing Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs since they have larger rear wheels and pushing handles that are fitted to their sides. This allows them to move over a wide variety of surfaces without having to worry about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps. When you are moving forward with your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce the force you can apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip material in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the 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 in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and could lead to an uncontrolled movement or even injury. If you have a high seat-to-floor height, it might be useful to get some extra padding on 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 want to try this on your own, additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair www.mymobilityscooters.uk do this, it is crucial that you position the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and then place the front wheels near the edge of the curb. When pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear area ahead of you so that you don't run into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will increase speed quickly and could be struck by other people. You can avoid this by being aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on an upslope. Also, make sure you have an adult or caregiver available to catch you if you start to fall from your wheelchair. Braking A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled manner. Always make sure that your hand is in the correct position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight remains over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint. To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right rim and pull back on the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the chair from tipping in the reverse direction. Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair might need to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. In this situation, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the instructions in the User Guide. When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended to remove and mount your vehicle using ramps as often as you can. This reduces the pressure on the back and front 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 boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will then stop, enabling you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids and exit the chair. Steering When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any additional features such as armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, as an example, can decide the type of terrain that a wheelchair will be able to handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move faster but struggle with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces but it won't be nearly as fast. The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of your hand as this could cause injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they should be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this. To turn the wheelchair, the user must push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion is not mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should ensure that the handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.