It’s true that taking care of a wheelchair can extend its life and save substantially on repair costs, but more importantly, proper wheelchair maintenance can prevent injuries. An estimated 5-18% of wheelchair users receive wheelchair-related injuries each year. Wheelchairs can malfunction, breakdown or tip over. Keeping up with wheelchair maintenance recommendations reduces the risk of injury tenfold.

A wheelchair that is in good working order will not only be safer, it will also be more comfortable for the senior using it. It will also be easier to use ‒ and require less energy ‒ for the caregivers pushing it.

Weekly

Inspect cushions for proper inflation, shape and signs of wear and tear. Check for leaks in air or gel-filled cushions. Cushions are essential to the senior’s comfort and a worn one can increase the risk of developing a dangerous and painful pressure ulcer

Monthly

• Clean the wheelchair and cushion
• Look for nuts and bolts that are loose or rattle.
• Inspect tires for cracks, bulges, looseness, damage, flat spots or signs of wear. Tired tires make the wheelchair hard to push.
• Spin the wheels to find signs of worn or damaged wheel bearings, such as knocking, squeaking or squealing with spinning. Wheel bearings allow the wheels to roll nicely. When they are damaged, the wheelchair can be difficult to push and can stress a caregiver’s shoulders.
• Check spokes to ensure they are free from bends, nicks and signs of loosening. Loose spokes can contribute to wobbling and instability.
• Check the alignment to ensure that the wheelchair rolls straight ahead without pulling to either side. Try rolling through a puddle and allowing the wheelchair to coast to observe the tracks. A misaligned wheelchair will be more tiring and harder to control, as well as contributing to undue wear and tear.
• Check brakes to be sure they can easily be applied, and hold the tires well when needed.
• Inspect handgrips for cracks, wear or looseness, so the senior can self-propel safely.
• Inspect wheelchair caster wheels for signs of wear, and to ensure they evenly touch the floor. If not, it can be unstable, unsafe and difficult for caregivers to push.
• Inspect foot rests to be sure they are intact and swing smoothly, if applicable.
• Inspect armrests for sharp edges, loose or rattling connections and a smooth release and latching mechanism, if applicable.
• Inspect back support for signs of wear, tear or screws that have popped out.
• Inspect cross-brace (in wheelchairs that fold) for wear, tear and proper functioning.
• Inspect anti-tip casters, if present, for signs of damage.

Quarterly

Lubricate moving parts

Yearly

Professional servicing

Enlist Home Care Services for Support

While home care aides can’t professionally service your wheelchair, they can do just about everything else! They can handle transporting the wheelchair to the servicer, and offer a great deal of support when it comes to overcoming the challenges of shopping and errands with a wheelchair. Home care aides can help with personal care in the home, or when the senior is out on the town and may need assistance in the restroom. They also are a life-saver for many seniors in wheelchairs, offering mobility assistance, housework support and even meal preparations. Contact the home care agency today to talk about how they can best support your wheelchair-bound senior to live an active and fulfilling life.

Sources
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Wheelchair_Maintenance

If you are considering caregivers in The Heights, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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