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Power Chairs and Steering

Steve_in_The_City

Hi Everyone:
I wonder if someone could advise or give a few tips. I recently bought a power chair but I am having huge problems in steering it, especially when I reverse - it seems to have a life of its own! Are they generally difficult to steer, do you get used to them? I really can't see myself going anywhere on the chair that is busy with people and I wondered if any of you power chair users get out and about in your local shopping areas, or do you just use them indoors?

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Wibbles

@Steve_in_The_City

My chair (a 6 wheeled SALSA mini) was supplied through the NHS - after an OT assessment.

The joystick takes some time to get used to - especially when reversing - but after a week or so, I am able to fully and safely control my movement

I passed the NHS "driving test" - so must be considered a good driver

Just don't go too fast and remember stopping distances and that there are people around you

Steve_in_The_City

@Wibbles Thanks for your reply. Getting used to your chair in a week is brilliant. I think it will take me a tad longer. I have taken it 3 times to a local green area, being careful to keep the speed low.. There aren't many people about and it is very close by. I feel more confident each time but am still erratic in my steering. I am getting around on it my flat well, better than on my mobility scooter. I see your chair has 6 wheels. Mine has got 4. I wonder if that could make a difference?

Wibbles

Steve_in_The_City said:

@Wibbles Thanks for your reply. Getting used to your chair in a week is brilliant. I think it will take me a tad longer. I have taken it 3 times to a local green area, being careful to keep the speed low.. There aren't many people about and it is very close by. I feel more confident each time but am still erratic in my steering. I am getting around on it my flat well, better than on my mobility scooter. I see your chair has 6 wheels. Mine has got 4. I wonder if that could make a difference?

Mine can spin around on the spot (in its own length- so is probably more manoevearable than most.

Can yours adjust the joystick for less sensitivity ?

mrsBB

I am thinking in investing in a chair, hate my scooter, nearly tipped over a couple of times but it wasn't a fab one to start with, its too light not really for outdoors but is meant to be. Any ideas what are the best ones to look at please ? thank you

Steve_in_The_City

Hello @Wibbles . I can't adjust the joystick as such, but I keep it on its lowest speed and only push/pull the joystick marginally so that the chair moves very slowly. Mine spins around on the spot too, so I guess it must be manoevearable. I took the chair out again today and I was slightly better, but not good enough. I certainly am not in a position to go along a busy pavement; it would be carnage!

@mrsBB If you are in a position to go to a showroom and have a test ride on a scooter or chair, that would be good. I am not sure if you mean what are the best chairs or scooters to look at? You need to evaluate your own individual needs, but certainly a scooter that is lightweight to the point where it nearly tips over is far from ideal.

mrsBB

@Steve_in_The_City

Thank you for the reply. Nope I’m done with scooters, 😂 they scare me now plus I want something I am supported in like a straight back and compact. Can I ask, do you feel safe in your chair outside ? I am so worried about tipping over. I may with a lot of assistance get to a showroom to try one, think your idea I do that is a great one. I really need to be able to get outside, I have become a hermit since covid, not because of it itself, I did have to shield but I think even though that doesn’t bother me at all now as we learn to live with it, I think I have just let myself get too comfy being alone at home, if that makes sense 😂 thank you again 😀

Steve_in_The_City

Hi @mrsBB To answer your question I do not feel safe outside on my chair. But this is because of the difficulty I have in steering. That said, the chair feels sturdy and heavy, and when I get used to steering it (in the far flung future) I think it will handle kerbside slopes etc as well as I can on my scooter.

I understand what you mean about becoming a hermit. It is easy just to stay indoors, but you have to get out and about (well, I do). You have to centre your weight on your mobility device. I hope you will find something suitable for your needs, but please don't discount mobility scooters as they do have a place.

I worry about tipping over but so far it hasn't happened, although almost. You have to drive carefully and look ahead and anticipate the conditions you are about to encounter.

I hope you find something you feel secure and happy with, something that meets your needs.

ElsieC1

Using a power chair competently takes time - especially a rear wheel drive chair that for all intents and purposes is a motorised baby buggy. Getting the front wheels to behave as you would like is a constant challenge on uneven paving and when dealing with cambers. Anticipation and constant vigilance is needed.

One tip always drive into the camber otherwise the chair will be in danger of going off the pavement kerb into the road - be warned.

Most joy sticks are oversensitive - nestle the stick in the V between your thumb and index finger for best handling and always use drop down kerbs.

Reversing is tricky - pull gently back on the stick till the front wheels swivel round in the direction of travel - go slow ! It is an art. Practice makes perfect.

Best wishes

Steve_in_The_City

@ElsieC1 Thank you for your sage advice. I took the chair out yesterday (Sunday) and I felt more confident, but not to the point where I am going to be out and about with people. However, I have a glimmer of hope that I will be able to take it out on busy pavements.

mrsBB

Hi @ Steve and all who answered my question, sorry about the late reply, hope I didn’t seem rude, I have just been really poorly 😝

I can’t decide what to do, feel so miserable at the moment, I’m am now trapped by district nurse visits every other day to dress and bandage my stupid legs, I have severe problems with lymphedema and now I have psoriasis my lymph leaks onto psoriasis on my legs and feet and boom 💥 I have repeated painful infections. So many health issues to deal with, some new. It’s all driving me insane lol 😂 my mobility was **** before this leg thing now it’s worse.

I need to get out this house and live ! I think I have managed a handful of times since shielding and it’s now getting to me big time. I just want my independence even a bit, I would still need a lift to go anywhere exciting 🤣 but if I could just be able to say get myself round a garden Center or something without being pushed would be fab.

I am whingy and mardy today, sorry folks, I am never like this, ever, just ignore me 🤣 I particularly hate nurses in my home even though my 2 daughters are nurses lol 😂 I told them they’d best get learning how to do soft and compression bandaging. The nurses that come in are lovely and similar age to my girls, I have been doing my own dressings for 18 months but it’s too bad now so not allowed anymore, another bit of independence taken away.

Thanks for listening to my ranty post 😀

Steve_in_The_City

@mrsBB I do understand about having your independence taken away, 'cos that has happened to me. I think you have just have to admit and accept that you are not as fit and healthy as you used to be. I have to go into hospital in 2 or 3 months time and it is to do with a leg issue. Anyway, here is wishing you all the best and I hope you will get these issues sorted in your mind.

66Mustang

I don't have any experience at all of a chair so I am probably talking nonsense

I am just talking from the point of view of a car driver, and assuming maybe you have no experience of driving so vehicle control is new to you

But…

Reversing is quite an odd concept to get to grips with, because, aside from obviously having to steer the opposite way to the way you want to go, the wheels that do the steering are at the opposite end of the vehicle

The second bit of that in particular means you will have to steer earlier or later than you'd think

It also means different parts of the vehicle will swing out when you perhaps don't expect it

It just takes a bit of getting used to

Sorry if this is "teaching Granny to suck eggs" or something but just thought it worth a mention!

Steve_in_The_City

Hi @66Mustang I trust you are ok.

I do know how to drive a car, and I have a completely clean license.

I have listened to what you say, but the power chair goes in completely the wrong direction! I am getting better on it, so who knows?

66Mustang

Oh @Steve_in_The_City it seems I misunderstood

That seems really weird but sadly I don't really have any experience/advice

I hope you manage to get it sorted though!! Have you double checked with the manufacturer that it's working how it;s supposed to?

Steve_in_The_City

Hello @66Mustang Hi, I hope you are ok.

I am alright on my mobility scooter. I can manage busy places. Yet the power chair seems to have its own agenda! It just doesn't go in the direction I want it to go in! I will take it out later today. I think I am getting better in handling it. However, I am nowhere near the position where I can take it on to a busy predestianised pavement. I just take it to my local little park.

It does work as it is meant to. I have spoken with the supplier and they tell me to give it time and to get used to it.

mrsBB

Hi everyone who was so kind and replied to my whinge above.

Nope I have never driven a car only a scooter, badly lol. I failed my driving test 5 times when I was 17, admittedly they were all on minor issues but I just thought to myself, you are just not meant to drive. I was way too nervous about what others on the road were doing, I couldn't concentrate fully on what I was doing. Still feel some folk are just not meant to drive including me haha.

I think whatever I decide to do, nothing will be impulsive, I need to test test and test again 😁One thing for sure I cant use the scooter I have, its very unstable to me anyway. I guess I will have to try both scooters and chairs and see but whatever I do decide on it will have to fit in a car boot otherwise I will still be stuck going out with family to say the garden centres etc.

Thanks everyone, keep well and safe xx

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/867128#Comment_867128

Hello again,

Does your chair have "rotating wheels" on the back ?

if so - that's the reason that you are finding problems reversing - you have to allow for the fact that they rotate 180 degrees before "biting" to start moving in reverse …

mrsBB

@Wibbles

Hi and sorry to but in here, hope that’s ok

Can I ask what chair that is please ? It looks quite small ? Is it ok and safe ? lol 😂 I am so needing to get out of my prison but I’m totally stuck. Take care

Steve_in_The_City

Hello @Wibbles Yes, it does have rotating wheels. I can hear them bite. I am getting better at using it and find it easier to get around my flat on than on my scooter. Thanks for the advice.

Wibbles

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/870307#Comment_870307

It's a http://www.3rmobility.com/salsa-m2-mini and is "the narrowest mid-wheel drive powered wheelchair on the market"