Temporary or permanent use of the wheelchair presupposes knowledge of its characteristics and the way it fits as well as the techniques of safe mobility. This guide simplifies the fundamentals to enable new users to be more confident and comfortable.
1. Knowing Your Wheelchair
Different types of wheelchairs serve the purpose of different needs. The most characteristic are:
● Basic manual wheelchairs: These need self-propulsion by use of pushrims; they can fold with the presence of armrests and footplates.
● Active manual wheelchairs: These wheelchairs are meant to accommodate long-term users; are lightweight and with minimal back rests which lack armrests.
● Electric wheelchair: Motors driven, operated by a joystick or switches- a good choice with those who are not able to self-propel.
● Transit chairs: These are those chairs that are normally pushed by the caregivers and cannot be self-propelled.
The brakes are close to the wheels and should be applied when entering or leaving the chair or when staying seated.
2. Check your fit:
Wheelchair fit plays a great role in increasing comfort and manoeuvrability. Your seat width must be just right—as in, you should have it as close to your hips as they are. If it’s too narrow, you will be cramped up; if it’s too wide, you will end up overestimating. For users of a folding electric wheelchair, getting the fit right is just as important for both comfort and efficiency. To have a general rule—put your body and the edges of the seat at a two-finger distance.
The height and depth of the seat are important too. Knees must be at 90 90-degree angle and hips a little higher. Place a cushion where it is required to either elevate or comfort.
The height of the backrest must cradle your spine with headway to enable self-propelled shoulder movements. People who are regular back users can find low backrests comfortable, and others depending on their needs can have headrests or high backrests.
Your feet should have support on footplates. When they are too high your knees will come up and when too low you will have your feet dangling. They should be adjusted such that your knees have a right angle.
3. How to Use a Wheelchair Safely
Switch the brakes before sitting. Slide footplates out of the way when they swing away. Slowly sit down with the aid of armrests or any other support around you.
When you have found a seat, rearrange the foot straps and put your feet firmly in place.
To go on, put hands on the pushrims and push symmetrically with both arms then bring hands back to the initial position in a round manner. This movement is easier and more efficient than back-and-forth pushing.
To go backwards, hold the pushrims in front and pull yourself back towards you. Go out on the slopes after having practised at home. Make speed up slopes in advance; master the speed down the declines and never have anyone come in your way.
To turn, push one wheel in forward and another backwards. In the case of the electric chairs, follow the instructions of the joystick or touchpad.
4. Accessories and Transferring
Upon transfer out of the wheelchair, footplates should swing away and brakes locked. Catch something to grab onto or use the armrests to stand. A caregiver can help where necessary.
Various mobility aids are usually added to the wheelchairs such as anti-tippers, storage bags, armrests or casters. Select accessories according to the environment you work in daily- small casters are quick in traffic areas whereas large casters will withstand rough surfaces to a larger extent.
5. Safety Tips
A long-term use and correct fitting should always be checked by a doctor or occupational therapist.
Be careful on uneven surfaces, slanting sidewalks or road.
So do not slacken your chair much at the back with bags.
Morning or night: You may consider reflectors or lights in case you move your wheelchair at night.
Find out how to protect yourself in case you fall and safely learn how to get back up again.
Conclusion
Use of wheelchairs is not only about learning how to move about, but rather it is about adapting the efficiency of the body, gaining confidence, and making decisions about the surroundings. When the use of the wheelchair becomes properly practised and appropriately directed, it can be safe, efficient and empowering.