Photo by Steven HWG on Unsplash
At some point, we may have had to help a loved one or even a perfect stranger when they have run into trouble with their wheelchair. Today we are sharing a great guide about transferring in/out and how to navigate those curbs.
Assisting to transfer into the wheelchair
1. Make sure that both of the brakes are ‘on’, and the front casters are swivelled forwards.
2. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides and out of the way.
3. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
4. Ask the person to stand then, with both hands on the front of the armrests, get them to lower him/herself onto the seat.
5. Swing the footrests to the front and fold down the footplates. If required, assist to place their feet on the footplates, with their heels well back.
6. Ensure that their elbows are not sticking outside the wheelchair when going through doorways. Also ensure that their hands are on their laps and not hanging outside the chair where they can catch in the spokes.
Assisting in transferring out of a wheelchair
1. Back the wheelchair so that the front casters swivel forwards.
2. Make sure that both the brakes are on.
3. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides, out of the way.
4. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
5. Ask the person to move forwards on the seat.
6. Ask to place both feet firmly on the ground, slightly apart and with one foot further back.
7. Ask the to place both hands on the front of the armrests, then get them to lean forwards with their head and shoulders over their knees to give balance. From this position they should be able to push themselves to standing. Always encourage the client to take their time with each step of the procedure.
Assisting in transferring sideways from a wheelchair to another form of seating
1. Place the wheelchair alongside, and at 45°, to the chair/toilet/bed/car that they wish to transfer to.
2. If possible back the wheelchair up slightly so that the front casters swivel forwards.
3. Ensure that both the brakes are on.
4. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides out of the way.
5. Remove the armrest on the side to which the client is transferring.
6. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
7. Ask the person to place one hand on the remaining armrest and the other palm down, on a stable area of the surface they are transferring to.
8. Ask the person to move forwards on the seat.
9. Ask the person to lean slightly forwards, push up and slide their bottom across to the other surface.
Negotiating curbs
Whenever possible, it is best to avoid curbs. Instead, always try to use dropped curbs or ramps. If a curb is unavoidable then the following precautions should be taken.
Pushing an occupied wheelchair down a curb
It is safer to go down a curb backwards. It requires less strength and gives a gentler ride. Care should, however, be taken due to the weight of the chair and because the task involves stepping backwards into a road.
1. Practise with an empty wheelchair first.
2. Always keep the wheelchair user informed about what you are intending to do.
3. Make sure the road is clear, and then back the wheelchair to the edge of the curb.
4. Ensure that the chair is lined up at 90° to the curb.
5. Slowly roll the rear wheels down from the kerb and onto the road surface, making sure that both wheels touch down at the same time.
6. When the front casters are at the edge of the kerb, push down and forward on the tipping lever with your foot while gently pulling back on the handles and at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and its occupant on the rear wheels. Do not tip the wheelchair back more than necessary.
7. Carefully pull the wheelchair further back into the road and, when the occupant's feet are clear of the kerb, gently lower the front to the road. Check that the road is clear before turning around and crossing.
Pushing an occupied wheelchair up a curb
It is safer to go up a curb forwards; it requires less strength and gives a gentler ride.
1. Practise with an empty wheelchair first.
2. Always tell the person in the wheelchair what you are about to do.
3. When the occupant's feet are nearly touching the kerb, push down and forwards on the tipping lever with your foot while gently pulling back on the handles and at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and its occupant on the rear wheels.
4. When the front casters are just clear of the kerb, push the wheelchair forwards until the casters rest on the pavement. Do not tip the wheelchair back more than necessary.
5. Push the wheelchair forwards until the back wheels just touch the kerb and then lift up on the handles as you continue pushing forwards to place the rear wheels on the pavement. The occupant can help with this stage by pushing forwards on the hand rims (if they are capable of doing so.
Thank you to the University of Western Australia for putting this very informative guide together. Link to original article:
www.safety.uwa.edu.au/incidents-injuries-emergency/first-aid/wheelchairs/assistance
At some point, we may have had to help a loved one or even a perfect stranger when they have run into trouble with their wheelchair. Today we are sharing a great guide about transferring in/out and how to navigate those curbs.
Assisting to transfer into the wheelchair
1. Make sure that both of the brakes are ‘on’, and the front casters are swivelled forwards.
2. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides and out of the way.
3. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
4. Ask the person to stand then, with both hands on the front of the armrests, get them to lower him/herself onto the seat.
5. Swing the footrests to the front and fold down the footplates. If required, assist to place their feet on the footplates, with their heels well back.
6. Ensure that their elbows are not sticking outside the wheelchair when going through doorways. Also ensure that their hands are on their laps and not hanging outside the chair where they can catch in the spokes.
Assisting in transferring out of a wheelchair
1. Back the wheelchair so that the front casters swivel forwards.
2. Make sure that both the brakes are on.
3. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides, out of the way.
4. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
5. Ask the person to move forwards on the seat.
6. Ask to place both feet firmly on the ground, slightly apart and with one foot further back.
7. Ask the to place both hands on the front of the armrests, then get them to lean forwards with their head and shoulders over their knees to give balance. From this position they should be able to push themselves to standing. Always encourage the client to take their time with each step of the procedure.
Assisting in transferring sideways from a wheelchair to another form of seating
1. Place the wheelchair alongside, and at 45°, to the chair/toilet/bed/car that they wish to transfer to.
2. If possible back the wheelchair up slightly so that the front casters swivel forwards.
3. Ensure that both the brakes are on.
4. Fold up both footplates and swing them to the sides out of the way.
5. Remove the armrest on the side to which the client is transferring.
6. If possible, get another person to hold the handles of the wheelchair so that it will not move. If this is not possible then stand behind the chair and hold the handles yourself.
7. Ask the person to place one hand on the remaining armrest and the other palm down, on a stable area of the surface they are transferring to.
8. Ask the person to move forwards on the seat.
9. Ask the person to lean slightly forwards, push up and slide their bottom across to the other surface.
Negotiating curbs
Whenever possible, it is best to avoid curbs. Instead, always try to use dropped curbs or ramps. If a curb is unavoidable then the following precautions should be taken.
Pushing an occupied wheelchair down a curb
It is safer to go down a curb backwards. It requires less strength and gives a gentler ride. Care should, however, be taken due to the weight of the chair and because the task involves stepping backwards into a road.
1. Practise with an empty wheelchair first.
2. Always keep the wheelchair user informed about what you are intending to do.
3. Make sure the road is clear, and then back the wheelchair to the edge of the curb.
4. Ensure that the chair is lined up at 90° to the curb.
5. Slowly roll the rear wheels down from the kerb and onto the road surface, making sure that both wheels touch down at the same time.
6. When the front casters are at the edge of the kerb, push down and forward on the tipping lever with your foot while gently pulling back on the handles and at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and its occupant on the rear wheels. Do not tip the wheelchair back more than necessary.
7. Carefully pull the wheelchair further back into the road and, when the occupant's feet are clear of the kerb, gently lower the front to the road. Check that the road is clear before turning around and crossing.
Pushing an occupied wheelchair up a curb
It is safer to go up a curb forwards; it requires less strength and gives a gentler ride.
1. Practise with an empty wheelchair first.
2. Always tell the person in the wheelchair what you are about to do.
3. When the occupant's feet are nearly touching the kerb, push down and forwards on the tipping lever with your foot while gently pulling back on the handles and at the same time. This will balance the wheelchair and its occupant on the rear wheels.
4. When the front casters are just clear of the kerb, push the wheelchair forwards until the casters rest on the pavement. Do not tip the wheelchair back more than necessary.
5. Push the wheelchair forwards until the back wheels just touch the kerb and then lift up on the handles as you continue pushing forwards to place the rear wheels on the pavement. The occupant can help with this stage by pushing forwards on the hand rims (if they are capable of doing so.
Thank you to the University of Western Australia for putting this very informative guide together. Link to original article:
www.safety.uwa.edu.au/incidents-injuries-emergency/first-aid/wheelchairs/assistance
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