Occupational Therapy Wheelchair Handling 1. Opening a wheelchair
a
Stand in front of the wheelchair.
Push downwards on the sides of the seat.
Keep your fingers pointing inwards to prevent them from being caught at the sides of the wheelchair.
Fold the footplates.
Remove the seat cushion, if any.
Stand beside the wheelchair, grasp the front and back of the seat canvas and pull upwards.
For wheelchairs with straps at the side of the seat, fold the seat canvas by lifting the straps.
2. Closing a wheelchair
3. Locking a wheelchair
Use the brake lever on each side to lock the wheelchair.
If the slope is steep, it is safer for the helper to bring the wheelchair down backwards.
Look behind for possible hazards.
Inform the wheelchair user before going down the slope.
Avoid hanging heavy items on the wheelchair handles as they can cause the wheelchair to tip backwards.
Inform the wheelchair user before tilting the wheelchair.
Position the front touching the kerb.
Step on the tipping lever to raise the front castors and push the wheelchair forward to bring the front castors over the kerb.
Lift and push the back wheels over the kerb.
4. Going down a slope
5. Going up a kerb
castors
6. Going down a kerb
Inform the wheelchair user before tilting the wheelchair.
Position the back wheels at the edge of the kerb.
Gently bring the back wheels down the kerb and move the wheelchair backwards until the front castors touch the kerb.
Step on the tipping lever to bring the front castors down the kerb.
7. Going up and down stairs
The main helper should stand behind the wheelchair, hold the wheelchair handles and give instructions.
Two helpers should stand on both sides of the wheelchair and hold on to a non-mobile and non-removable part of the wheelchair.
Going up:
•
The back of the wheelchair should be facing the stairs.
•
Place one foot on a higher step and pull the wheelchair up one step at a time.
Going down: •
The front of the wheelchair should be facing the stairs.
•
Place one foot on a lower step and lower the wheelchair down one step at a time.
8. Safety tips
Ensure all detachable or movable parts of the wheelchair are securely locked before transferring a person to or from a wheelchair.
Secure the person in the wheelchair with a safety belt when the wheelchair is in motion.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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