26/10/2018

7 Wheelchair Maintenance Tips for First-Time Users

Health

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Wheelchairs, like most machines, need regular upkeep to guarantee a proper working condition. The tiny items can easily snowball into a significant problem, therefore it's important to arrest the causes while they are still easily reparable. Below are a few maintenance tips so you can enjoy your wheelchair to get quite some time.

1. Know your wheelchair

Nobody understands your wheelchair as you do. After repeated use, you become familiar with its many quirks: the sounds it creates, the method by which in which the seat hugs your back, the specific sensations when you push it about. You will immediately hear any new sounds, no matter how low. And you know what it can and can not take on. The wheelchair becomes an extension of you.

If something feels different, how the wheels squeak, the tightness of the backrest, you then wish to likely get it checked out. As I mentioned previously, the tiny items can easily collect, and grabbing them at the origin may stop them from turning into a huge issue.

2. Stay away from stairs and curbs

If you're in an unknown location, it's most likely far better to stay away from curbs and staircases. While it might appear melodramatic, a lot of people have inadvertently dropped down a kerb or a flight of stairs.

Not only is it dangerous to you, but it might also seriously damage your wheelchair. A broken spoke or a loose thread is all it takes for your own wheelchair to turn into a hazard.

3. Avoid obstacles

While wheelchairs are made for durability, they're not as elastic as a 4-wheel drive car. Try to steer clear of puddles, because the sand and water may get clogged up in the bearings. Furthermore, it's an invitation for rust to make, making driving tougher. If you would like to maintain your wheelchair fluid and rust-free, wash the wheels off after contact with water (e.g. rain, snow).

Be careful and scan ahead for debris that you may encounter like crap, stones, broken glass and dog litter. You do not need your brakes to come in touch with something that might destabilise the wheelchair and affect its movement.

4. Check for cracks

Many men and women utilize their wheelchairs on a daily basis, and a bit of wear and tear is inevitable. Consistently check the wheelchair for signs of wear and tear such as small cracks, particularly in high-stress regions like the wheels alongside the cross ribbon. A small crack could become a risk to your safety when it expands and creates more cracks. The maintenance required could be as straightforward as a little repair to as serious as entire frame replacement.

5. Assess the wheels

A wheelchair is not that much different from a typical chair with no wheels. Constantly check the tires' condition, and have them replaced if they're not filling out completely or when the tread becomes cracked or loose. Make certain that the brakes are in great shape and readily engaged.

6. Keeping it tight

Regularly inspect the wheelchair for loose screws and bolts. If you hear or think something has fallen off, stop immediately and have your wheelchair assessed. Don't replace broken or worn bolts out using one of a lesser strength level. If at all possible, provide the distinct precise same bolt which needs to be replaced.

7. Lubricate often

In the event you get a collapsible wheelchair, make sure it folds and opens easily. The mechanism which allows it become collapsible has to be lubricated at least twice a year - much more so if you reside in a wet climate.

All wheelchair joints and pivot points also have to be lubricated. Make sure that you utilize an outstanding lubricant that may offer resistance to corrosion and water.

Tags: Aged Care / wheelchair / medical equipment