Cerebral Palsy Wheelchairs And Safety
Many patients that have cerebral palsy need the assistance of a wheelchair to help them get around. It helps to provide them with a little more freedom than what they would have without it. This makes it easier for the whole family and helps to improve the emotional state of the patient. There are different types of wheelchairs available and in order to choose the right one, it would be helpful to know a little about the different options of cerebral palsy wheelchairs.
Cerebral palsy wheelchairs come in both manual operated and motorized versions. You’ll need to take into consideration what type of CP the patient has when making your selection. If the cerebral palsy affects the arms and hands (spastic cerebral palsy) preventing them from being able to manually move the wheelchair, then a motorized wheelchair would be the best choice. However, if their arms and hands are unaffected, it wouldn’t really make a difference.
It’s always a good idea to talk to the therapist before selecting a wheelchair for children. They will be able to tell you which one would be the most beneficial based on the condition of your child. They have the experience to know how the cerebral palsy will affect your child in the future and they have the knowledge to help you make a decision that will benefit the patient for many years. It’s recommended that you always consult the physical therapist before making your final decision.
Cerebral palsy wheelchairs are designed to be used in the home and in a school environment. It needs to be suited to the child’s stature but take into consideration how much the child may grow in the next few years. Maintenance is another issue that needs to be addressed but it’s not as important as making sure the child can operate the wheelchair on their own. The manual wheelchair requires the least amount of maintenance but if they are not suited for your child, this is not an option.
One of the most economical choices is called the “growth wheelchair” because they are designed with what is called “growth kits”. These are adjustable and some parts are even replaceable so your child will be able to use them for many years. Once you have made your selection you need to be aware of wheelchair safety. There are some things that you should know in order to help prevent injury to the child from use of the wheelchair. You do not want a wheelchair injury to undo all the hard work of the cerebral palsy treatments.
If you’ve never been in a wheelchair, you may not know that the center-of-gravity is very important. Reaching and bending can cause the wheelchair to tip over. To prevent this from occurring, the patient needs to practice moving around in different positions while someone is monitoring them. This way they can learn what the safety zone is. Someone in a wheelchair should never attempt going up and down curbs or steps without the assistance of someone else. Before the assistant tips a wheelchair, they should let the patient know. They need to make sure their hands and feet are not in a position where they can be pinched and they will need to lean backwards to make it go more smoothly.
When trying to pick up something, the wheelchair should be as close to the object as possible. The wheels should be in the locked position to prevent it from rolling out from under the patient and they should never strain to reach something. Wheelchair safety is a big issue and it should not be taken lightly. Choosing a cerebral palsy wheelchair should only be done after consulting with a qualified physical therapist, and after you have obtained information on wheelchair safety.
