Upkeep
The Brake Lever Gets a Look Each Week: Keep a Borrowed or Owned Wheelchair in Working Order
A wheelchair stays safe to use only when its brakes, wheels, and folding parts are checked on a regular routine and the repairs are assigned to the right person.
A wheelchair works only as long as its parts do. The moving pieces wear slowly, and the first sign of trouble is often a small change in how the chair feels before anything breaks. The job is to set up a short weekly routine, write down what you find, and know who fixes what.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Know who owns the chair
Before you start, decide whether the chair is yours, a loan, or a rental. An owned chair is a repair job for you or a repair shop. A loaned chair usually goes back to the lender, who decides whether it is repaired, replaced, or picked up. Copy the model and serial number from the frame label into your records so the lender or shop can identify the chair quickly.
Run the check each week
Start with the brakes. Lock and release each one, and confirm it grips fully and releases cleanly. On a flat floor, push the chair a short distance and watch whether it drifts. Check the tires or wheels for cracks, flat spots, and worn tread. Spin each wheel and listen for rubbing. Confirm the quick-release axles or wheel locks are fully seated. Check footrests and armrests for looseness.
Check the cushion, the frame, and the back parts
Look at the seat cushion for splits and make sure it stays in place. Look over the frame welds and folding points, and listen for new clicks when you fold and unfold the chair. If the chair has anti-tip tubes or back wheels, check that they are attached and that the brackets are straight. Wipe the upholstery with the cleaner the maker recommends, and keep the seat dry after washing.
Keep a short log
Write each check on one line in a notebook or on your phone. Record the time of the check, the part you looked at, and what you did. Keep the log with the chair's paperwork so the next person who handles the chair knows what was fixed and what still needs attention.
Decide what you fix and what you call about
Tighten a loose bolt, clean the wheels, or replace a worn brake lever cover yourself if the maker's manual allows it. Call a repair shop or the lender when a brake does not hold, a frame bends or cracks, or a wheel wobbles. Do not keep using a chair with a brake that slips. Ask the lender or shop what service the maker recommends, and get that answer in writing before the next problem shows up.