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VA Health care Manual Wheelchair Manual Handbook

Wheelchair
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Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service
Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
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Summary of Contents for VA Health care Manual Wheelchair

  • Page 1 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    II. Parts of a wheelchair…………………………………………………...Pg 3 III. Using your wheelchair………………………………………………….Pg 5 A. Keeping from tipping over or falling out of the wheelchair…..Pg 5 B. Transferring into and out of the wheelchair…………………...Pg 5 C. Pushing the wheelchair on flat surfaces……………………….Pg 6 D.

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Like cars, there are many different types of wheelchairs. Each type has a different purpose. This guide will tell you about using a standard wheelchair. If your wheelchair has special adaptations, you will want to go over these with your therapist.
  • Page 4 Antitippers: o These aren’t shown in the picture. o They are small wheels on the back of your wheelchair near the bottom to keep it from tipping over backward. o Keep the antitippers on most of the time. They can get in the way sometimes when going backwards down a steep slope, so make sure you know how to remove them.

  • Page 5: Using Your Wheelchair

    III. USING YOUR WHEELCHAIR A. Keeping from tipping over or falling out of the wheelchair:  Helpful Hints When going uphill, lean forward to avoid tipping over backward. When going downhill, lean back to avoid falling forward out of your wheelchair.

  • Page 6: Pushing The Wheelchair On Flat Surfaces

    2. By a helper: Forward: The helper will use the back (push) handles to push the wheelchair forward. Backward: The helper will use the back (push) handles to pull the wheelchair backward.

  • Page 7: Dealing With Inclines And Uneven Surfaces

    D. Dealing with inclines and uneven surfaces: As everyone since Columbus knows, the world isn’t flat. There are doors to get through, curbs to mount, and lawns to cross. Your wheelchair can help you with all of these, once you learn some special skills.
  • Page 8 At the same time he/she should use one knee to push forward on the back of the wheelchair. Once the front wheels are over the threshold, you can help by leaning forward and pushing forward strongly on the rear wheels.

  • Page 9: Ramps

    When going up a ramp 1. By yourself: Most people go up a ramp forward, but that does mean the wheelchair can’t tip over backward, so… a. make sure the antitippers are in place, b. put your backpack in your lap, and c.
  • Page 10  Helpful Hints There are 2 main risks going down a ramp – falling forward out of the wheelchair and losing control of the wheelchair, so…. a. Shift your weight back when going down hill.

  • Page 11: Curbs

    The helper should push down on the handles. At the same time, the helper should use one knee to push forward on the back of the wheelchair. Once the front wheels up on the curb, then the helper will lift up on the back (push) handles to lift the rear wheels up onto the curb.
  • Page 12 2. With a helper: Your helper can use his/her knee to brace the wheelchair. Or he/she can stand sideways and use his hip to help brace the chair (being careful to protect the back by not twisting at the waist).

  • Page 13: Transportation

     Helpful Hints Cars: Take off the footrests and armrests. Fold the wheelchair. If it is still too heavy to lift or too large to fit in your car, ask your therapist about a wheelchair lift to attach to the car.
  • Page 14 1. Move wheelchair around door. 2. Back up as you pull door open. 3. Swing around and enter the doorway.

  • Page 15: Tight Spaces

    Tight spaces  Helpful Hints Take off your footrests. This makes the wheelchair shorter so it takes less space. Even taking off one footrest and crossing that foot over the other will help (take off the footrest in the direction towards which you want to turn).

  • Page 16: Pressure Sores ("Bed Sores")

    PRESSURE SORES (“BED SORES”) If you are in your wheelchair for more than 1 or 2 hours at a time, you could get a pressure sore. You can prevent a pressure sore by shifting your weight while in the wheelchair -- in other words, “take a load off” from time to time.

  • Page 17: Acknowledgements

     Written by: Dr. Helen Hoenig with editorial assistance by Christy Cone and Michelle Morgan.  Inspired by: the book, The Manual Wheelchair Training Guide by Peter Axelson, Denise Yamada Chesney, Jean Minkel, and Anita Perr and the Dalhousie University website, www.wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/fre/videoclips.htm.

  • Page 18: How To Contact Us

    HOW TO CONTACT US For general questions, concerns, or to make an appointment, contact the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS): Rehabilitation Services (Room B2010) Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 Telephone: 919-286-6874 (or) 1-888-878-6890 ext. 6874 Office hours: 8:00 AM –...

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