How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is important that you master the use of your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.
Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". The user must have big hands to be able extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel it forward.
Seating Position
Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to travel on their own and not be dependent on others. For many, this is the key to getting back or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.
The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable in the chair. To achieve this, there are several things you can do. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Release the latch on the footrest and move the footrests to make sure they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are comfortably placed on the footplates.
It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they could cause pressure on the seat bones and cause discomfort and pain.
A strap for the forehead can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have neck muscles that are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a specialist in mobility.
If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is essential to ensure that they are in a proper position and that the wheelchair user can propel without hitting them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with removable or swing away armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.
A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is crucial, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against surface of the wheelchair. In some cases, skin irritation and blisters can occur when sitting in a single position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and eliminate the need for another person to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted on their sides. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.
Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You might also find it beneficial to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip materials built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply.
Keep the front casters clear of debris, like rocks or sticks. This material could make it hard to move your wheelchair as you would think. It could cause an increase in control or injuries. If you have a very high seat to floor height, it might be beneficial to purchase additional padding for the front casters.
It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or a small step. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or small steps and position the front tires close to the edge.
It is important to have enough space in front of you when pushing up a hill. This will keep you from colliding with other people. You'll gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You may also collide with someone else. To prevent this from happening take care to be aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope and have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair.
Braking
A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair, make sure that your hand is in the right position, usually at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps keep the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.
To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right rim and pull back on the left rim. This will turn the wheelchair left so that you can remain seated. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to stop them from tipping backwards.
Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended that you seek assistance from someone you know or a family member and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will decrease the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres, which will allow you to move over the kerb with greater speed. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by increasing the climbing capability of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair you need to release the brakes gently and then push the joystick toward you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids before safely exiting the chair.
Steering
If you are using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling. There are many ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and accessories like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters of a wheelchair can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move more quickly, but it can be difficult with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters allow wheelchairs to travel over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as quick.
On smooth surface that is level, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims and pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with various degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.
For self propelled wheelchairs or difficult terrain, the wheelchair user should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, when they travel with an adult, they should make sure that they are prepared to help when needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar with this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. The user of a wheelchair must practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily tip over if the action is not mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can help reduce the pressure on the user and make turning easier. It is important to be aware that strangers who are not trained tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The wheelchair user must cover the handles or fold them back.