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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and let an occupational therapist or doctor help you in this.

Many people maneuver their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". The user must have big hands to be able span the rims, and grip strength to propel it forward.

Seating Position

lightweight folding self propelled wheelchair propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not be dependent on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence or retaining it. It also lowers the risk of injury to the wheelchair user as well as those around them.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable while sitting in the chair. To ensure this, there are several ways to go about it. First, make sure the footplates are in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them round so that they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.

It could be necessary to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause discomfort and pain.

A forehead strap can help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. These can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a mobility expert.

It is essential that if the wheelchair comes with armrests, they are in an appropriate position so that the user of the wheelchair isn't able to strike them with their arms when they move. For this purpose, it is best to choose a wheelchair with removable or How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair swing away armrests. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and attached to the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable level.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some cases, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time. It can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

lightweight self folding mobility scooters-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move themselves independently and without the need for someone to push them. They are more maneuverable due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel over a wide variety of surfaces without having to worry about falling or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.

Be cautious not to hold the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and reduce the force you can apply. You might also find it helpful to wear a handrim protector or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you can use.

It is essential to keep the front casters clear of debris such as sticks and rocks. If the casters have been covered with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and could result in the loss of control and/or potential injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you may think about adding extra padding to the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to help you go up a curb or a small step. If you want to try this independently, more training and experience is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and position the front tires just prior to the edge.

When pushing up a slope it is crucial to have a clear path ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you will accelerate quickly and could collide with other people. You can avoid this by staying aware of people who are around you on an upslope. Also, you should have a friend or caregiver ready to catch you if you start to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self propelled wheel chair propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when you are on a slope since it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that the hand is in the correct position, ideally at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to keep the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.

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

Check the user's guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can travel. In some instances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to climb steep slopes. If this is the case it is advised to seek assistance from a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.

When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps whenever you are able to. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerb-climber option that can assist in this process. It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop and you can take off the footrests and prepare walking aids prior to getting out of the chair.

Steering

The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair. There are numerous ways to accomplish this depending on the wheelchair structure and add-ons such as armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow wheelchairs to travel over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as fast.

On smooth and level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to keep the momentum. This is done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and result in over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with various degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users must plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. It is essential that the wheelchair user looks over both shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are 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, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may fall over if not properly mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can ease the pressure on the user, and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person in the wheelchair against their will, which is why the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.