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Essential Guide To Safe Wheelchair Use For Youngsters

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin • 0 Comments

spacer To the people who are involved in Youngcare, they’re fully aware of the necessity to implement safe wheelchair use since some of the young patients would greatly require using it. While wheelchairs serve as an assistive device and help people with disabilities, it can also be detrimental to the health especially when not observing the safety precautions in using it.

A wheelchair must importantly meet the user’s individual needs and environmental conditions. It must provide postural support, and be safe and durable. For a wheelchair to remain stable, it must be upright on its wheels with the combined center of the mass of the wheelchair and user being within the wheelbase of the wheelchair.

Ramps and slopes can significantly pose a high risk to users if they attempt to climb, descend or travel across slopes. Wheelchairs should only be utilized on ramps that are less than maximum safe slope as stipulated by the manufacturer.

When getting into the wheelchair, make sure that both brakes are in place and the front casters face forward. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides up. If viable, have someone hold the handles of the chair so that it will not budge upon getting on. With both hands on the armrests, lower yourself on to the wheelchair. Swing back the footrests.

When getting up from the wheelchair, the first three steps mentioned earlier should still be applied. Carefully move forward on the seat after assuring that someone is holding the handles of the wheelchair. Place both feet firmly on the ground, slightly apart and with one foot further back. It will help you push yourself up when leaning with your head and shoulders over your knees to provide balance.

As much as possible, it is best to avoid curbs but always try to use the ramps or curb cuts on the sidewalk. When pushing an occupied wheelchair down a curb, it is best to go down backwards than forwards. It necessitates less strength and gives a gentler ride. Make sure not to hang book bags, purses or other material on the back of the wheelchair because this can cause imbalance and may lead to tip over backwards.

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