Wheelchairs serve as life extensions for persons with mobility disabilities. As they will be using these for a long term, further knowledge on basic wheelchair maintenance can be helpful. If you’re the primary caregiver, you can also extend more assistance to your loved one when you aid them in the maintenance of their wheelchair.

In our role as a provider of Support Services in Indiana, we have been assisting different individuals with developmental disabilities who are either partially ambulatory or dependent on wheelchairs. So we understand how it is very essential for them to attain quality life in this condition. For that, we hope that the following guidelines on wheelchair maintenance can be of help to you.

• Always double check the tire pressure of the wheelchair at least every month.
  Since the tires are the direct contact of the wheelchair to the ground, these always need to be in good condition. A worn-down tire can be difficult to manage and may result to trips or accidents for the passenger.
• Still with the tires, ensure that these are always in good condition.
  Before you take your loved one out or before they ask to sit on the wheelchair, carefully assess the strength of the tires. When these are in good functioning condition, then you can begin the transfer.
• You also need to review the inner tubes in the tires.
  When these tubes malfunction or are not fitted well, the wheelchair’s mobility can be affected.
• As a Habilitation Service provider, we also recommend to evaluate the wheelchair brakes to ensure that these are working well.
  Before the wheelchair is used for whatever reason, make sure that their brakes are able to hold strong.
• Furthermore, still regarding with the brakes, ensure that the braking system has a correct placement.
  When there is a low-pressure tire, the wheelchair’s performance can be impaired, which poses certain risks to your loved one’s safety.
• Wheelchairs also come with user manuals.
  If there are aspects in the maintenance steps that you need specific assistance with, review the manuals so you can be guided properly.
• Evaluate the wheelchair’s front wheels to know if these are also functioning well.
  Make sure that these are stable enough and able to support the wheelchair as it moves forward or turns around. Since the front wheels receive the first stage of the road obstacles, you have to ensure that its functionality is fit enough to preserve the safety of your loved one.

We hope that these guidelines can help. At Beloved Shepherd LLC, you have a partner in us in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your loved one. If you ever find the need to get some respite and is looking for help in caring for your loved one, we can provide Respite Services in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our team of care providers is experienced enough to attend to the needs of persons on wheelchairs and individuals with developmental disabilities.