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https://posteezy.com/8-tips-enhance-your-self-propelled-wheelchair-uk-game-0

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability It is important to learn how to move your chair and consult with a therapist or occupational doctor to teach you how to use it Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique called wheelies The client must have large hands in order to span the rims and grip strength to propel it forward Seating Position Self propelled wheelchairs allow you to move independently and not be dependent on others For many people this is the most important factor to getting back or maintaining their independence It also reduces the chance of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those who are around them The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable when seated in the chair To accomplish this there are several things you can do First the footplates must be in the correct place Release the footrest catch and swing them to ensure they are in front of the chair Make sure that the wheelchair user is able to put their feet on the footplates and that there is pressure under their feet self propelled wheelchair with attendant brakes may need to be reduced particularly for those who are hemiplegic one side of the body is more affected than the other If the footrests arent high enough they can cause increased pressure on the spine and cause pain and discomfort A forehead strap can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright particularly for those with weakness of the neck muscles They can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a mobility expert If the wheelchair comes with armrests it is crucial that they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms when they move To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height A wellfitting wheelchair cushion is important especially for those who are at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores This is because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair In certain instances the skin can become irritated and raw due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time This can cause blisters Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers Pushing Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for a third party to push them They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels as well as pushing handles fitted to them This enables them to travel across a range of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or small steps When you are moving forward with your chair take care not to hold the handle too tightly If you apply too much pressure it could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms This will improve your hand position and increase the force you can apply Keep the front casters free of any debris like sticks or rocks This material can make it hard to move your wheelchair in the way you expect It could cause an increase in control or injuries If your seattofloor height is extremely high you may think about adding additional padding to the front casters It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or just a tiny step If you wish to attempt 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 with small steps and position the front tires just prior to the edge When you are pushing up a slope it is essential to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you dont run into other people If you dont have a clear space ahead of you you will gain speed very quickly and could hit other people You can avoid this by staying aware of people who are around you on an upslope Also make sure you have someone with you to assist you in case you fall off your wheelchair Braking A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure that the chair is safe to use This is particularly important when the chair is situated on a slope as the center of gravity could be pushed forward if the brakes are not applied in a controlled way When pushing a wheelchair make sure that the hand is placed in the correct position with the ideal being at 10 hours 1000 on the wheel and releasing near two hours 200 This ensures that the majority of the bodys weight is over the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest most effortless push It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder elbow and wrist joints To turn right in a wheelchair you need to push forward on the righthand rim then pull the lefthand rim back This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to remain in your chair Wheelchairs are also equipped with antitip bars to stop the chair from tipping backwards Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse In some situations the wheelchair may 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 assistance and follow the directions in the User Guide It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating kerbstones This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to move faster over the kerb Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerbclimber option which can aid in this process It increases the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm 4 To stop a wheelchair pull the joystick to the side to declutch the motor and then release it gently brakes The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or make walking aids prior to exiting the chair Steering If you are using a selfpropelled wheelchair the user is responsible for steering and controlling There are a variety of ways to accomplish this depending on the wheelchairs structure and addons such as armrests phonedrink holders or even a drink holder Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as in size and weight The size of the front casters for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can manage Small casters allow a chair to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone Large casters allow a wheelchair to travel over these rough surfaces but the chair wont be as quick The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum You can do this by gripping the handrims while pushing them with both hands Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and result in overcorrections when the chair makes a turn It is also recommended that the wheelchair user test leaning forward and backwards to different degrees in order to find an optimal balance between leaning and control For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles It is crucial that the wheelchair user looks over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people Also in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver they should make sure that they are ready to help when needed If the wheelchair will be used on a slope a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this To turn the wheelchair user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other rim forwards The user of a wheelchair should practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on any other surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily tip over if the action isnt mastered If the wheelchair has power wheels this can take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning a lot easier It is essential to be aware that untrained people tend to force wheelchair users against their will The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them back