• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is crucial to learn how to use your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Wheelies are a very popular method for moving in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands large enough to span these rims and have a strong grip to propel forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests lightweight self folding mobility scooters-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. For many it is the only way to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury for both the person who is using the wheelchair and those around them.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable when seated in the chair. There are a variety of things to do to make sure this is the case. First, ensure that the footplates are in the proper position. Release the latch on the footrest and How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair swing the footrests around to place them in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.

The height of the footrest may require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain if they are too high.

A forehead strap can help keep the wheelchair user upright, particularly if they have weakness of the neck muscles. They can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible on wheelchairs that do not have headrests.

It is important that if the chair has armrests that they are placed in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user does not hit them with their arms when they move. It is recommended to use the wheelchair with swing-away or removable armrests for this purpose. Alternately, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable height.

It is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if a person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In certain instances, skin irritation and blisters can develop when being in one position for long periods of time. To minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be rotated regularly.

Pushing

lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs let users move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for a person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about falling or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps.

Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. Using too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair reduce the force you can apply. It may also be useful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can use.

It is important to keep the front casters clear of debris such as rocks and sticks. This material can make it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair as you expect. It can cause a loss in control and/or injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or an easy step. If you want to do this on your own, you'll need more training and practice under the supervision of medical professionals. 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 just before the curb's edge.

When you're pushing up a hill it is important to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure that you don't cross paths with other people. You'll gain speed quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space in front of you. You could also end up colliding with someone else. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of other people around you while on an upslope. Also, have a friend or caregiver ready to assist you in case you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

To ensure that the wheelchair is safe the user must use the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly important when the chair is placed on a slope as the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the brakes are not performed in a controlled manner.

When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that your hand is in the proper position, ideally at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair, move 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 chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to stop them from tipping backwards.

Refer to the user's manual that is included with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair is able to traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide.

When you are negotiating kerb stones, it is recommended that you take off and remount your vehicle via ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres, allowing you to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by increasing the capacity of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick towards you to de-clutch the motor and then release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, and you can take off the footrests or make walking aids before safely getting out of the chair.

Steering

The user is responsible for controlling and steering the wheelchair. There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and accessories like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. 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 with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast.

The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This what is self propelled wheelchair accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of the hand as this could cause injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning forward and backward to different levels in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control.

The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for more challenging terrain. The user of the wheelchair should look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on a slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar with this.

To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. The user of the wheelchair should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair could easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can help reduce the burden on the user and make turning easier. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person who is in wheelchair against their will, so the user of the wheelchair must ensure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.