A Primer for Using a Wheelchair

If you are a wheelchair user yourself, or if you have been asked to assist someone in a wheelchair, some basic hints will help you to assure maximum comfort and safety. There are many specific needs attached to people who are suddenly confined to a wheelchair because of changes in the personal or environmental circumstances in their lives. You may want to familiarize yourself with these in case such times arise for you or for someone you need to assist. Here are some considerations which you might have to keep in mind in these circumstances.

Most folks enjoy sitting outside on a nice, sunny day, but those who are in a wheelchair have more to think about than just applying a bit of sunscreen to protect their skin from the sun~s rays. Due to the materials that are used in the construction of a wheelchair, it doesn~t take much exposure to direct sunlight before the metal and plastic become quite hot and cause burns. It~s important, then, to move the chair into the shade in order to avoid injury.

Although the most common applications for sunscreen are the face, neck and arms, those who are in a wheelchair will also have their thighs exposed to the direct sunlight when they~re wearing shorts, a skirt or dress. Therefore, it~s just as important to cover that portion of their body with sun protection, as well, or they can suffer from sunburn in very short order.

Just like the rest of us, those who depend on a wheelchair come in all shapes and sizes. If you know that you~re going to be called upon to push someone in a wheelchair who may be heavy ~ especially if you have no prior wheelchair experience ~ then it~s best to wear gloves on your hands. Otherwise, you can develop blisters very quickly and will be unable to continue.

If there is a rain shower, and the ground is covered in puddles, you just normally step around or over them. Things are not that easy for those who are wheelchair-bound. Splashing from puddles can soak both feet and the wheelchair. If the ground is wet, or if it is still raining, make sure you cover yourself or the person you are caring for with a large poncho, plastic draping, or some other large piece of waterproof cloth. An umbrella is not designed to cover a seated person.

Not all drinking fountains are the same height, and some are not accessible to those who are in a wheelchair. In order to prepare yourself for such a circumstance, bring along a plastic drinking cup so that it can be filled from the fountain and given to the occupant of the wheelchair, who can then enjoy a cold drink without the strain or mess of attempting to reach the fountain.

In the heat of the summer, it~s easy to become dehydrated, and those who are particularly heat sensitive will need to be taken into consideration when it comes to over-exposure. Get to know your surroundings when you~re out of your normal environment and be alert to any air conditioned facilities along the route. There may be a need to stop at regular intervals in order to allow those who are wheelchair-bound a cooling down period. You have to stay focused on the fact that, while you can simply walk into a cooler area, or go and sit under a shade tree for awhile, they don~t have that same luxury.

Most of the care that goes into assisting wheelchair patients can be handled through common sense and awareness to their special needs. After a bit of experience in a wheelchair environment, most of these things will come naturally. Until then, follow these simple guidelines and make a point to ask whether or not they have any needs that you may not have considered.