Lifting/ Transfer Aids: Total Movement/ Transfer Protection

Lifting/ Transfer Aids help you and your helpers rotate, swing or turn you safely. Making it possible for you to move from one place to another. Or one position to another. Without strain on you or them.

It is most important to take good care to protect yourself and those caring for you from strains and falls. Otherwise, if they become injured, who will help you with the things you need to do?

If you have a paid helper, you still want to take good care of them because once you find a good one, they are almost impossible to replace.

The trick is to make sure that your helper -  whether paid, volunteer, or family - is using good lifting and moving techniques.  Also that they learn how to use some of the lifting and transferring aids that are available. These will help to protect their backs.  

A poor knowledge of these will put them - and you - at a huge risk of injury. So please make sure that they practice. And that everyone follows all of the safety rules.

The easiest and safest way to transfer you is with a gait belt. This is exactly what it sounds like - a belt that you use when you are walking (or during transfers if you do not walk at all anymore). The belt fits along your waist and is used to securely hold you safely to your chair, toilet, or bed.

Gait Belts give added security while you're walking. Clothings can tear when it is grabbed, probably to prevent a fall. If you are going to fall and your helper grabs you, the gait belt can give them a secure way to keep you from hitting the floor hard.

A bedside handle can be helpful as well. If you can bear your own weight, it allows you to steady yourself while your helper is adjusting your clothing or getting the chair ready for the day. If you cannot bear your weight any longer, the bedside handle is still useful to hold onto before lifting. Then you can get adjusted to sitting up before moving on to standing or being lifted.

Finally, if you are unable to assist during your lifts and transfers at all, it might be time to consider a Hoist. These may be intimidating for your helper at first. But with some practice, they will soon be like old hands.

Your helper should be properly trained by an occupational therapist, or other professional on the use of hoists, before using it. A paid companion should have this training from the company that employs them and can possibly teach the family how to use it.

Contact us for further help and information on the ideal moving and transfer aid to meet your uniqe need.