Wheelchair handling

Occupational Therapy Wheelchair Handling 1. Opening a wheelchair

a

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Stand in front of the wheelchair.

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Push downwards on the sides of the seat.

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Keep your fingers pointing inwards to prevent them from being caught at the sides of the wheelchair.

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Fold the footplates.

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Remove the seat cushion, if any.

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Stand beside the wheelchair, grasp the front and back of the seat canvas and pull upwards.

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For wheelchairs with straps at the side of the seat, fold the seat canvas by lifting the straps.

2. Closing a wheelchair

3. Locking a wheelchair 

Use the brake lever on each side to lock the wheelchair.

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If the slope is steep, it is safer for the helper to bring the wheelchair down backwards.

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Look behind for possible hazards.

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Inform the wheelchair user before going down the slope.

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Avoid hanging heavy items on the wheelchair handles as they can cause the wheelchair to tip backwards.

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Inform the wheelchair user before tilting the wheelchair.

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Position the front touching the kerb.

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Step on the tipping lever to raise the front castors and push the wheelchair forward to bring the front castors over the kerb.

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Lift and push the back wheels over the kerb.

4. Going down a slope

5. Going up a kerb

castors

6. Going down a kerb 

Inform the wheelchair user before tilting the wheelchair.

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Position the back wheels at the edge of the kerb.

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Gently bring the back wheels down the kerb and move the wheelchair backwards until the front castors touch the kerb.

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Step on the tipping lever to bring the front castors down the kerb.

7. Going up and down stairs 

The main helper should stand behind the wheelchair, hold the wheelchair handles and give instructions.

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Two helpers should stand on both sides of the wheelchair and hold on to a non-mobile and non-removable part of the wheelchair.

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Going up:



•

The back of the wheelchair should be facing the stairs.

•

Place one foot on a higher step and pull the wheelchair up one step at a time.

Going down: •

The front of the wheelchair should be facing the stairs.

•

Place one foot on a lower step and lower the wheelchair down one step at a time.

8. Safety tips 

Ensure all detachable or movable parts of the wheelchair are securely locked before transferring a person to or from a wheelchair.



Secure the person in the wheelchair with a safety belt when the wheelchair is in motion.

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group.

Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.

REHAB.PE.OT.009.0320