How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limitations in their walking. It is important to learn how to move your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to guide you in this area.

Wheelies are a popular technique for moving a wheelchair. The person using the wheelchair must have large hands to be able reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel the wheelchair forward.

Seating Position

As the name suggests, a self propelled wheel chair 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 minimises the risk of injury to the wheelchair user and others who are around them.

It is crucial that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. To ensure this, there are many options you can take. First, the footplates need to be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them to ensure they are on the front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to put their feet on the footplates and there is enough pressure on their feet.

It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest particularly if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests may increase pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.

A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

It is essential that if the chair has armrests that they are in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to use a wheelchair with removable or swing-away armrests for this purpose. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and attached to the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable height.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if a person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some instances blisters and skin irritation can occur when being in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

easy self-propelled wheelchair wheelchairs allow users to move independently, without the need for a person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. This enables them to travel across a variety of surfaces without worrying about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.

When you are moving forward with your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers with grip material on the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply.

It is important to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. This material could make it difficult to move your wheelchair in the way you expect. It can cause an impairment in control and/or injuries. If the seat-to-floor distance is extremely high, you might be thinking about adding extra padding on 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 do this yourself, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. 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 close to the curb's edge.

It is crucial to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will keep you from crashing into other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you'll increase speed quickly and could be struck by other people. To prevent this from happening take care to be aware of the people around you when you are on a slope. You should also have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in case you start to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is safe, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is particularly important when the chair is placed on a slope as the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not applied in a controlled way.

Always make sure your hand is in the proper position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always refer to the user guide included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended that you seek help from an individual or a relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you remove and mount your vehicle using ramps as often as you can. This will lessen the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature an option to climb the kerb which can aid in this process. It boosts the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop and allow you to take off the footrests, prepare walking aids and get out of the chair.

Steering

The user is the one responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. This can be done in various ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but it won't be nearly as fast.

The user of a wheelchair should place both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the hand rims, as this can cause injuries and could result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best self propelled wheelchair balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users must plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user should be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they must be prepared to assist 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 the rim of one hand back while pushing the other hand forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on any other surface because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is important to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to push a transit wheelchair vs self propelled user against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them back.