First and foremost is; carefully!
If you’re not careful when pushing a wheelchair over a curb or uneven ground, it could go something like this;
Some dangers of pushing the elderly in a wheelchair! Source: 13 Things You Should Know Before You Push a Wheelchair
If the elderly are in a wheelchair and obtain a secondary injury, their recovery is likely to be slow and painful. Therefore preventing the problem before it becomes a problem is key.
How to safely get up and down curbs
The push handles are not easy to reach when the user is reclined so leverage the back of the wheelchair to overcome curbs. In the reclined or tilted position, the wheelchair user’s weight is spread more evenly which will make it even easier to push. The more reclined or tilted the wheelchair back, the easier it is to get the wheelchair over a curb.
Remember to flip up the anti-tippers when navigating over a curb. Source: KARMA Medical Taiwan; KARMA Academy
To make getting the wheelchair over the curb easier, flip up the anti-tippers, and use these as leverage to make tipping the wheelchair easier. To get the rear wheels over the curb, do not lift the rear wheels over the obstacle instead, roll them. Rolling the rear wheels will put less strain on the caregiver. Always remember to put the anti-tipper back after you are done.
Flip the anti-tippers back down after navigating down the curb. Source: KARMA Medical Taiwan; KARMA Academy
When going down a curb, make sure to go backward. This will make it easier for the caregiver and more comfortable for the user. Similar to going over the curb, use the high backrest, and roll the rear wheel down the curb.
If the carer is elderly, then the wheelchair user can consider investing in a wheelchair that both reclines and tilts. The VIP2 is unique in that it has the option of equipping J-Hooks instead of the standard wheelchair push handles. The J-Hooks can be adapted to accommodate the height of the caregiver and allows them to operate the wheelchair even when it is in the tilted or recline position.
J-Hooks are a great accessory to make pushing a reclining wheelchair easier. Source: KARMA Medical YouTube – VIP 2
We’re here to help
At KARMA Malaysia, we have thought hard about how we can make the carer’s life easier and reduce the risk of injury. The features of a wheelchair are there to aid the carer as well as the user. In the next blog, we will show the carer how to tackle uneven terrain. Our methods will keep the user and carers safe and comfortable. KARMA Malaysia is always here to assist. Talk to a KARMA representative today!
Call us: 03-5612 1921 / 010 – 238 1921
Email us: [email protected]