Wheelchair Exercises for Fun and FItness

July 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A blue folding lightweight wheelchair.

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Many people who use a wheelchair may experience physical issues such as stress in the neck and shoulders. Wheelchair exercises can help reduce the stress and pain, as well as adding strength and muscle tone to the individual. Other positive aspects of wheelchair exercises include flexibility and weigh control — and they can help elevate the mood. Here are a few wheelchair exercises.

Resistance training will build strength through using equipment such as stretch bands. These types of exercises target specific areas of the body. These bands can be used for a variety of exercises including trunk and shoulder rotations and leg extensions.

Yoga practice is not only beneficial to the physical body, but to the mental one as well. You can often find yoga classes designed especially for people in wheelchairs. Yoga can improve flexibility and mental health.

Strength training uses dumbbells and other types of weight to improve an individual’s strength level. Many people who started their exercise programs using resistance training, find that the next step is to move to strength training.

Many gyms today are adding programs that recognize the needs of people in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities. Joining a gym will usually give individuals the motivation to continue a regular workout regime. Make sure to find a gym that provides machines are flexible to the needs of the user. For instance, look for weight machines where the seats swing out and have straps or other devices to help keep legs and feet in place.

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Caring For A Disabled Person – Ignoring Fitness Can Lead To Severe Health Complications

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Wooden wheelchair dating to the early part of ... 

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A disabled person is not necessary a diseased person. A diseased person is not in control of all faculties and is not in a position to take proper care. On the other hand, a disabled person may be completely immobile due to loss of limb but still may be in a position to lead a relatively normal life.

A person who is not conscious will not be in a position to focus on his or her health. Such a person requires constant care and assistance. On the other hand, a disabled person who has lost a limb cannot afford to ignore health. A person who cannot walk properly will have to exercise regularly to avoid becoming overweight.

Being seated on a wheelchair throughout the day may lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Such a life can lead to health problems in a disabled but otherwise healthy person. A disabled person who tries to avoid excess fat in diet will find it easier to lead a normal life.

How can a person forced in a wheelchair exercise? Control of diet, movement of hand and upper body or even wheelchair basket can help the person stay fit.

Not having a limb is not a medical condition. Rather, it is the consequences of an incident and can be overcome. However, many persons make the mistake of thinking that their healthy life is finished. They start ignoring their fitness. In the long run, such a mistake will lead to more complications than the actual disability itself. Hence, care for the disabled individuals should include ways and means to improve fitness and overall health.

 

 

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Different Medical Equipment for the Disabled

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

People with disabilities face different challenges in their everyday life. However, with the advance in technology, the disabled person can enjoy their freedom and movement using specially designed devices. Today, there are different assistive devices for every possible disabilities or medical limitations and this can be availed through the medical equipment suppliers. Even the medical insurance providers offer coverage for buying these devices. Here is some of the most used medical equipment.

I took this image myself at the Australia Zoo.

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Stair lift is an excellent equipment for a person with disability living with a stairway as the stair lift helps them to access every level comfortably and safely. These devices normally consist of a chair or stand that moves to all levels in a residence by a separate railing. Ramps are another assistive device for a person who is bounded to wheel chair. Ramps help the person to safely exit or enter vehicles, buildings, or doorways. Ramps are the portable device and it can be used whenever required.

People with ambulatory restriction have a great option for movement and this is called mobility scooter. These mobility scooters are available in three types: compact, three wheel scooter, and four wheel scooter. Each type of scooter should be well analyzed before buying and it should be selected according to the need.

Lifting chair is another great device that helps a person to either stand or sit. These chair come with two or more positions and some chair even features some extra positions. Finally, another great innovation is the assistive computer technology that helps people with limited learning, sensory, and physical functions.

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Tips for Setting up Your Home To Take Care of a Loved One With a Disability

December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWhen a loved one becomes disabled, they may feel more comfortable at home, or with another family member, instead of living in an assisted living facility. In many instances, it is completely fine to have your loved one at home or with another family member, as long as they have prepared their home to make living there comfortable for the disabled person.

Move Furniture if Necessary
Take a look around the rooms in your home and make sure your loved one will be able to move around comfortably. If they are in a wheelchair, make sure the doorways throughout the house are wide enough. Widen the space between furniture in high traffic areas, so that your loved one will be able to easily maneuver through that area without any trouble.

Install Ramps
If your loved one can not easily walk up and down stairs, or is in a wheelchair, install ramps. This will make it easier for her to get from one level of the house to another. A piece of plywood can easily be installed at the front entrance, or a ramp can be installed only on one side of a set of stairs, providing the option of using the stairs or the ramp. If you have a steep set of stairs, you may want to invest in an electric chair that your loved one can sit in and ride up to the top, or down to the bottom of the stairs.

Personal Space
Provide your loved one with some personal space. That could be a spare room that your relative could use as an office or a craft space. Or, maybe your relative would prefer her own TV space. Or better yet, set up an exercise area where the entire household could benefit from the equipment. Place a small refrigerator in your disabled loved one’s bedroom or other personal space. This will make it easy to grab a snack or drink.

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Overview of Wheelchair Styles

December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wheelchairs can open up the world to those with a disability that limits mobility. The sleeker designs, light and comfortable materials, and ease of use, can turn using a wheelchair into the funnest part of a person’s day. There are two different types of wheelchairs.

Self-propelling Wheelchairs
These chairs are small enough to fit into a car so that you have total mobility. A self-propelling wheelchair can be steered very easily and will allow you to move about in the most natural way possible. This type of chair is designed for the rider to use alone, by pushing and pulling the wheels to get in motion. Since you touch the wheels, if they are dirty, your hands will get dirty too. Flooring can affect the momentum of the chair, which will be slower and harder to push on thick carpets, but quick and smooth on flat floors. If you have limited upper body strength, weak arms, breathing difficulties or high blood pressure, this may not be the chair for you.

Push Wheelchairs/Transport Chairs
The chair is for those that can not or do not want to do the work to move around. A person is needed to stand behind the chair and push it along, with the disabled person enjoying the ride. This means that you must always have someone else with you, possibly making a person feel less independent. You will have to direct your pusher on where you’d like to go, which may be a hindrance when doing such activities as shopping. Most of these types of chairs will fold up and fit into an average sized car, but there are some models that are large and may require the use of a modified vehicle. A push chair is also great at negotiating curbs. A push wheelchair is not as maneuverable as a self-propelled wheelchair, making it harder to move around crowded places and stores.

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How To Use a Self-Propelled Wheelchair

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentSelf-propelled wheelchairs have push rims around the wheels and may or may not have handles on the back of the seat to allow someone else to push the chair. People with a decent level of upper body strength enjoy the freedom of being independently mobile with a manual wheelchair.

Moving Forwards
To move forward, simply reach backwards as far as you can and grip the push rim or wheel. Then, push the wheels forward by holding onto the rim and moving it in a forward direction.

Moving Backwards
To move backwards, simply do the opposite. Reach as far forward as you can and grip the rims or wheels. Then, pull the wheels backwards, as you look behind to see where you are going. The small wheels at the front will swivel, so be careful.

Turning
To turn right, simply hold the right wheel still and push the left wheel forwards. To turn left, hold the left wheel still and push the right wheel forward.

Spinning on the Spot
If you need to spin in one spot, like to get around a tight corner, push one wheel forward and the other wheel backwards, at the same time.

Going over Bumps
Try to avoid bumpy roads and paths as much as possible. Go as slow as possible so that you are not propelled out of the chair. It is best to lift the front wheels off the ground when going over smaller bumps. You should go backwards over larger bumps, such as curbs.

Stopping
Grip the push rims and use the friction from your hand to slow down to a stop. Using your thumb and the side of your index finger, pinch the rim to slow down to a stop. You can also use the tire to stop if the rims are wet. This friction will cause heat and can burn your hands, so be careful. Don’t forget to use the break so you don’t roll away!

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Overview of Motorized Wheelchairs and Scooters

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentThere have been great advancements in wheelchairs over the past years and these days the new power scooters are like owning a race car! Many insurance companies will pay for all or at least part of the cost to purchase a motorized wheelchair or scooter. When you have greater mobility, you will have a better quality of life. And, don’t be surprised if others want to take a ride on your new wheels!

Motorized and Power Wheelchairs
A motorized or power wheelchair is perfect for those with very limited mobility looking to maintain independence. It is powered with one hand by moving a joystick. It may take a bit to get used to using the powerful joystick so you should expect to crash a few times. This chair will not fit in most cars, but will fit into a modified vehicle. A motorized power wheelchair does a pretty decent job of negotiating curbs and crossings. If a person is looking for a sense of independence, but can not use a self-propelling wheelchair, this is a great option. A power wheelchair is more maneuverable than a motor scooter, but not as maneuverable as a self-propelling chair.

Motorized Scooters
These have really advanced over the past few years. They are lighter, sleeker, smaller, and provide a smooth and comfortable ride. A motorized scooter is perfect for people with limited physical strength, both disabled people and the elderly. A motorized scooter can negotiate curbs and crossings very easily. If you are looking for a chair that is rugged enough for outside use, this is a great option. But, they may be a bit difficult to maneuver in crowds or tight store isles. Scooters are rather large and will not fit in an average car. These scooters run on battery power, so it would be a good idea to keep an extra battery, charged up and ready to go, in case the current one gets depleted.

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Home Renovations for Wheelchair Accessibility

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you have a loved one that is handicapped, or you yourself have recently become handicapped, you may need to consider making your home handicap accessible. There are some east and some more difficult things that you will have to do to make these changes. For some people, the necessary changes just aren’t possible. In this case, you may want to consider looking into homes that are already handicap accessible, or that can be easily converted.

One of the easiest types of homes to make accessible for someone in a wheelchair, or who has problems with stairs, is a ranch or rambler. These one story houses make it much easier to get around between bedrooms, living areas, and bathrooms. Even in these type of homes, though, there are steps you may need to take. For example, you may need to make a ramp up the front or back stairs of the home. If there are even a few stairs to get into the house, this can make it very difficult if you are in a wheelchair. Getting or making a ramp to cover the stairs is actually fairly easy. If you know a woodworker, they may be able to make it for you. Otherwise, you can generally also find them online to purchase. You may also want to consider changing the bathtub or shower. Many bathtubs and showers can be difficult for those with disabilities to get into and out of.

Even two or three story homes can be easily renovated. If there is a bedroom on the main floor, this is generally the easiest for someone in a wheelchair. There are also options for chairs that can help you on the stairs. No matter what type of home you have, you may have a few small changes that you may need to make to make it easier for you to work with.

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Making Your Home Handicap Accessible

October 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
If you find yourself in a house that you can no longer get around in due to a walker or wheelchair, these are some ways that you can change things to make your house comfortable and safe for you. There are several areas that need consideration, and they are stairs, hallways and doorways, and bathrooms. Depending on your house, you may be able to adjust things without too much expense so that it is still comfortable for you.

Hallways and Doorways. These areas need to be wide enough that you can get through them in a wheelchair without difficulty. Many hallways may be wide enough, but are cluttered with pieces of furniture or things on the floor. You may be able simply rearrange your furniture. For doorways, removing the door, if you do not need it, may make the opening wide enough. Otherwise, you can buy a bigger door and have the doorway widened.

For stairs, you can either have a ramp built over the stairs, or you can install a stair lift. You can even try to find a place to install a small elevator. Many beach houses on the Florida coast are already doing this. Finding a place in an already built house could be both difficult and expensive, however. If you cannot relocate your entire living area onto the main floor, you may need to consider selling.

Finally, bathrooms may need the toilet raised, the sink made accessible, and a change in he shower or bathtub. Because of the cabinets underneath the sink, it can be difficult for someone who is handicapped to reach. To resolve this, you may want to consider installing a pedestal sink. For the bathtub, you may need to install grab bars. If it is a shower, you may need to install a wheelchair-safe one, which will have a wider door, and a smooth floor for a wheelchair to come in. These are just a few of the things you can do to make your home accessible for those who have a handicap.

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Exercising with a Wheelchair Disability

September 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Being physically active is an important part of anyone’s life, and those who use a wheelchair or have a disability are no exception. Many people who must use a wheelchair still have the same strength in their core and arms are those who are not wheelchair-bound. Getting regular exercise can allow you more mobility and independence, increase mood and self-esteem, as well as encourage better digestion and weight control. Also, by exercising your whole upper body, you can balance out the strain and strength in your body, reducing the stress, tension, and pain that many people with a wheelchair experience.

Using elastic exercise bands can a good way to increase strength and flexibility in the arms and shoulders. Simply attach the band to a door handle or railing. You can get a list of shoulder, arm, and even wrist strengthening exercises from a weight trainer or physical therapist, as you graduate from low-resistance bands to high-resistance bands.

More strenuous training can be done with weights or exercise machines. This is a good type of exercise to graduate to when using exercise bands become too easy to use. To make strength training a regular part of your life, it may be beneficial to find a gym that pays specific attention to the needs of those who have disabilities. They may have less crowded space to get around in, as well as extra equipment.

As with any exercise program, it is important to talk with your doctor and meet with a professional trainer before starting. Your doctor can help direct in the target areas that you can strengthen, as well as direct away from exercises or programs that will worsen your condition or prove harmful. A professional trainer can show you the proper way to perform exercises, as well as create a schedule and realistic goals. Regardless what you decide to do, making physical activity a priority is a good and necessary part of your life.

Source: thewheelchairsite.com

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