This is more so should the wheelchair be a vital component of mobility within your life. This proper care plus the long term maintenance will aid in keeping it in a safe working condition for many years and eliminate the risk towards injury as well as the necessity for replacing the chair sooner then expected. The actual cost associated with replacement of your wheelchair accessories or parts can be reduced also resulting in saving you a considerable sum of money.
As with any expensive investment a wheelchair should be properly cared for and protected. Since the wheelchair is an important extension of you, it natural stands to reason that you will be first to notice if something is not functioning properly with your chair. You should be knowledgeable as to who you can call for parts as well as who can service your unit. The automatic chairs may require professional type care whereas the manual versions are often easier to repair and maintain with nothing more then common household tools.
You should develop a regular routine for performing preventative maintenance on your chair that will include cleaning, adjusting the chairs critical components and inspecting the chair. Wipe down your chair regularly with a clean cloth. You may wish to apply common car wax to your frame to make the cleaning easier. Once or twice per month check to ensure all the nuts and bolts are tight. Should upper body mobility be limited ask your caregiver or a family member for help. Of particular importance you should check to ensure that any automatic brakes or any anti rollback devices function properly.
When performing maintenance always check your owner's manual for your particular wheelchair. The manual contains crucial information regarding any warranties, the proper way to care for your specific chair, what tools you should have to maintain your chair.
Tools represent a good investment when it comes to your wheelchair. Over a period of time the small investment in tools will well pay for themselves. You will need a small tool bag in which to hold your essential tools such as Allen wrench sets, adjustable wrenches, a spoke wrench, various screwdrivers and a tire repair kit. These tools are not only useful when performing maintenance but will come in handy should you need them in an emergency.
The very act of doing your own maintenance on your wheelchair will provide you a feeling of confidence in your ability as well as a sense of reliance upon the safety and the functioning of your chair. These self inspections will help to a certain degree however it is vital that every so often your chair be inspected and services by a professional. Although many of the routine tasks can easily be performed at home it should receive a periodic check-up from an authorized wheelchair service center such as is recommended in the service manual.
