Tips for Power Wheelchair Users
Power wheelchairs are complicated devices. Using a power wheelchair can be overwhelming at first. Here are some tips to keep your chair in good condition and working for you!
START SLOW
If you are a new power wheelchair user, take your time to familiarize yourself with the chair and how it operates. A power wheelchair has very powerful motors, and thus the power of the chair should be respected. Make sure you always drive the chair on smooth, even surfaces. Any bump over ½” can cause the chair to lose control easily. Also be aware of inclines as the chair could tip over if you do not navigate inclines carefully. When going down steep inclines, you may find tilting the seat back (if you have that feature) slightly will make the ride more comfortable. Be aware that some chairs may “lock out” if tilted too far. Power wheelchair users should be particularly careful with cross slopes – slopes from left to right when facing the slope – as power wheelchairs are not designed to navigate much cross slope. If it looks steep to the eye – be aware!
BASIC SAFETY
When transferring in/out of the wheelchair, turn the power off.
Footplates and armrests are not designed to be weight-bearing surfaces and should not be used to take your weight when transferring. This can cause damage to the chair and possibly severely injure you.
Power wheelchair joysticks are “proportional.” This means that the farther you push the joystick the faster it will go. Once you push the joystick all the way, it will not go any faster – do not put extra force on the joystick. Most chairs have some sort of speed control to limit the top speed that the chair will go. The speed and other features of the chair can be programmed to suit your needs. Contact your wheelchair provider for assistance in adjusting the speed.
When the chair is stopped, the breaks automatically come on. The breaks will prevent the wheels from turning, even when the power is off. You cannot manually push a power wheelchair unless you release the motors. Releasing the motors should only be done in the case of an emergency. A power wheelchair is very heavy, and you can quickly lose control of the chair if you are pushing it manually. If you look at the bottom of the chair, you will see release levers. Some chairs have one on each side, and some only have one. If you are not sure how to disengage the motors, call your wheelchair provider.
BATTERIES
As you use the chair, you will have a regular charging routine. The chair should be charged when the battery indicator goes below 50% charge. If you leave the chair unused and not charging for an extended period of time, it will completely lose its charge. If this happens, the only option is to replace the batteries, which can be costly. (When in doubt, connect the chair to the charger!)
· You cannot over charge the chair. The charger will turn itself on and off as long as it is plugged in.
· The typical life expectancy of power wheelchair batteries is about three years. This is very dependent on how you use the chair. Some people will be able to get much longer use, others much shorter. If your batteries are not lasting for one day of typical use, call your wheelchair provider.
STORAGE
A power wheelchair should always be kept in a climate-controlled environment. Extreme heat or cold will damage the batteries and the electronics of the chair. A power wheelchair should not be stored out of doors or in a garage (or other non-climate controlled space.)
GETTING THE CHAIR WET
A power wheelchair has electronics and batteries that can malfunction if they get wet. Avoid crossing puddles in the chair that may splash water onto the chair. Wrap a clear plastic bag over the joystick and controller if you must drive in light rain. DO NOT OPERATE A POWER WHEELCHAIR IN HEAVY RAIN.
Listen to the chair and become familiar with the sounds that it makes. If you notice that the chair is making any unusual noises, contact your wheelchair provider.
On a regular basis keep the chair clean by wiping surfaces with a damp towel, using mild detergent when needed. Do not immerse any part of the chair in water. Special attention should be made to keep wheels and the bottom portion of the chair clean to avoid debris from damaging the wheels or motors.
Do regular checks to make sure all wires and connections are securely connected and free of fraying. Notify your wheelchair provider if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
SHARE YOUR IDEAS
I would love to hear your ideas on this topic, please leave your comments and/or suggestions below about power wheelchair care.
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What happens to your power chair if you constantly leave it in while sitting in it & sitting still.
When you say “leave it in” I assume that you mean plugged in charging. It is fine to charge the chair while you are in it. Most chairs will not let you drive the chair while it is being charged. But, the best way to maximize the life of your chair is to let the batteries discharge at least 50% before recharging. This will help extend the overall life of the batteries. But, when in doubt, charge the chair. When plugged in, the chair will charge fully and the charger will turn off. If the charge is left in for a long time, the charger will cycle back on when only a small about of the battery has been used. This is ok, and this will not harm the chair, but letting the batteries drain between charges is the best practice.
What happens if the chair got rain on
A power wheelchair is a computer on wheels, so if it gets wet, you run the risk of damaging the electronics. Also, the batteries could short out and even cause injury to the user in extreme cases. Replacing/repairing wheelchair electronics can be very expensive and take a long time. So, you should avoid getting the chair wet at all costs. If it is raining, find shelter as quickly as possible. Then have someone dry off the chair as best you can, and then do not go back out until the rain is over.
My chair won’t work I was out in the heaven rain yesterday and it cut out on me and still cutting out on me and I have dried it out but still won’t work
My sister now owns a power wheelchair because her husband needs to use it nowadays. Thanks for clarifying that the typical life expectancy for a battery would be three years. I think she needs to buy him some replacement batteries so that she can make sure that he can use the wheelchair for a long time.
It was helpful when you said that the battery should be charged whenever it gets below 50% power, since running out completely will be harmful. My siblings and I want to pitch in and help my dad get a power wheelchair since he can no longer walk very well due to a knee injury. Thanks for teaching me this info so we can help my dad develop good maintenance practices for the wheelchair!
I am planning to purchase a wheelchair over here. Just wanted to know whether I should go with a manual wheelchair or an electric one if I don’t want to be carried everywhere by an attendant all the time. I wanted to be independent.
My dad got into an accident, and this caused tremendous damage to both of his legs, which is why I’m thinking of buying a wheelchair for him. Well, I agree with you that my father must familiarize himself with the proper usage of the wheelchair. Thank you for also sharing here the importance of charging it regularly.
I wanted to buy power wheelchair for my Grandpa who has been facing severe arthritis issues lately. Just wanted to know as to which type of wheelchair would be most effective for him to roam around freely.