| Wheelchairs provide freedom for thousands, but they | | | | way down (for legs that aren't bending as much as is |
| can also present challenges to the very freedoms | | | | necessary or total hip replacements that need to |
| they offer. You don't have to be a 'stuck at home' | | | | follow a 90 degree precaution). Now you can scoot |
| statistic. Discover 5 secrets to gaining your freedom | | | | backward and slightly up hill on the car seat so that |
| and mobility away from home without awkward and | | | | your legs can clear the door jam. Once inside, return |
| difficult manual transfers from your wheelchair to | | | | the seat to a comfortable upright position. |
| your car. Realize for yourself the joy of going | | | | Secret #4 |
| shopping, eating out or vacationing once again! | | | | The steering wheel is a sturdy "grab bar" when |
| Before you start, always lock your chair and detach | | | | scooting. The handhold that some cars have above |
| all movable parts i.e. footrests, accessories, trays etc. | | | | the outside mirror (inside the car of course!) work |
| Follow the next 5 steps for achieving freedom of | | | | well too but they aren't for heavy duty pulling. |
| mobility! | | | | Remember when standing for transferring, safety |
| Secret #1 | | | | first. You should push up from the wheelchair arm |
| Keep the sitting surfaces equal in height. Impossible? | | | | instead of pulling on the door, the door jam or your |
| Easier than you think. Short of letting the air out of | | | | helper. Doors don't have muscles to strain or discs to |
| your truck tires or buying a new car, (unless you | | | | herniate -- you and your caregiver do! |
| need a good excuse!) park next to a curb so that | | | | Secret #5 |
| the wheelchair is a curb's height closer to the level of | | | | For the caregiver, once the patient is in the car, Walk |
| the vehicle seat. | | | | around to the driver's side, crawl in, be careful while |
| Curb height to car seat keeps gravity in check by | | | | you grab that towel and tug. The towel, placed on |
| somewhat leveling the two surfaces. | | | | the bag will slide quite easily for this final step of |
| When you have arrived at your destination let | | | | transferring a patient into the car. |
| gravity work as you transfer from your high profile | | | | You can buy or use wheelchairs almost anywhere. |
| vehicle down to the wheelchair. No curb at home? | | | | Goodwill and senior citizen centers usually have them |
| Build a platform that you can roll the wheelchair up | | | | at low-to-no cost. Manual wheelchairs are also often |
| onto -- now you have a curb! | | | | found at a doctor's office, and power scooters can |
| Secret #2 | | | | be found at the grocery store, however, there is |
| Remember friction in physics? Transfers are all about | | | | nothing like your own wheelchair! |
| minimizing friction! Put a plastic garbage bag on the | | | | Now, go out and enjoy your freedom of going! |
| car seat and then a towel over that for easy sliding, | | | | If you need more assistance, you may want to look |
| adjusting or pivoting once on the car seat. | | | | up a home health care agency in your area to see if |
| There are many expensive products on the market | | | | their physical therapist can assist you with your |
| today that seek to accomplish this same feat. Empty | | | | freedom and mobility goals. |
| grocery bags are free. Suit your fancy. Watch out | | | | I am confident that my fifteen years of also trouble |
| though, this slick surface is easy to slide off of when | | | | shooting wheelchair transfers will help you to get that |
| you don't want to! | | | | awkward chair into your trunk while saving your back! |
| Secret #3 | | | | Visit us now to find out how. |
| To increase legroom in smaller cars, Slide the car seat | | | | Got other home health care physical therapy |
| all the way back AND the recliner seat back all the | | | | questions? You've got goals -- we've got answers! |