Manual Wheelchairs

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Wheelchairs furnish the patient with a degree of independence and prolonged mobility by transferring the functions normally performed by the legs to the arms, hands, and shoulders.  Wheelchairs provide relatively easy and convenient transportation/mobility.

Operation of the Wheelchair

As in all home medical equipment, proper adjustment and operation is essential to achieve maximum benefit from the product.  The individual who delivers the wheelchair is experienced in setting it up, so be sure it is properly adjusted before he or she leaves the home.

 If you picked up the wheelchair personally from a First Health Medical Supply office, it should have been adjusted to your body.  The right adjustment the first time will prevent the possibility of injury resulting from incorrect adjustment or improper connections.

Wheelchairs have the necessary feature of being able to collapse in order to facilitate transporting them from place to place.  To fold, simply pull up on the center of the fabric/upholstery.  To unfold, tilt the chair to one side and press down on the seat rails.  Lift up on the inside edge of the footplates to position them vertically (footplates with heel holders must be pulled forward along their rails first).

Never attempt to get into or out of the wheelchair without first securely locking the brakes.  To lock the wheelchair, push the brake levers forward or pull them backwards, depending upon the type of brake system installed.  Make sure the locks snap securely into position.

Being able to maneuver the front support elements allows the user to make closer approaches to objects and easier transfers from wheelchair to toilets, beds, automobiles, and so forth.  To manipulate the rigging, activate the release mechanism and swing the rigging to the side.  In this position the entire apparatus can be removed for loading into a vehicle.  Reverse the procedure by swinging the rigging to the front again.  It automatically locks into position. 

First Health Medical Supply provides this product information for your benefit-Your Physician, Nurse, or Therapist can answer any specific questions you may have.  Follow the instructions carefully.         

Most wheelchairs are equipped with elevating leg and footrests to achieve a more comfortable sitting position.  The leg rests are simply raised manually and automatically lock into position.  To lower, activate the release mechanism and lower the leg rest to the desired position.  Footrests should be adjusted to relieve pressure on certain parts of the body.  Footrests that are too low will cause pressure on the backs of the thighs, those that are too high put pressure on the buttocks. 
To raise or lower the footrests, loosen the adjustment bolt, position the rests, and retighten.  The footrests should be at least two inches from the ground or floor.

Removing the arms on the wheelchair helps facilitate transfers to and from the chair for patients who cannot stand.  To remove the arms, release the lock in the front receiver socket and lift the arm off from the center.  Some wheelchairs come with “desk length” arms to allow closer approaches to desks and tables while sacrificing forward arm support.  To alter this, simply swap and reverse the arms.  Wheelchairs equipped with wrap-around or space-saver arms cannot be changed.

The tipping levers that extend from the bottom rear of the frame assist in negotiating curbs and other obstacles.  Pressing down on one tipping lever while pressing down on the push handles makes tipping the chair backwards and to negotiate obstacles easier and safer.

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Do always engage the wheel locks when transferring to and from the wheelchair.

Do periodically check for proper footrest length adjustment.

Do call your First Health Medical Supply office and the healthcare provider if the user undergoes any significant weight changes. 

The wheelchair may no longer be adequate for the patient’s needs.

Do not sit for long periods of time without moving, if you can avoid it. This increases the risk of pressure sores developing.

Maintaining and Inspecting The Wheelchair 

Some wheelchairs include many special features such as safety belts, seat height adjustment, reclining backs, anti-tipping devices, and so on.  Do not operate the wheelchair if they are not in proper working condition.  Perform the following maintenance and inspection procedures on a regular basis:

• Check the wheel locks to see that they securely lock the large wheels when engaged.
• Inspect all hardware, fasteners, bolt and nuts, etc., daily for proper connections.
• Check the tire pressure frequently if the wheelchair has pneumatic tires.
• Do not use the wheel chair if you find any unsafe condition that cannot be easily corrected.  Call your First Health Medical Supply office immediately for assistance.