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Safest Ways to Move the Elderly Infographic [Summary]
Depending on the position of the individual, there are some techniques that can be used to make moving them yourself quite a bit easier.
How to Help an Elderly Person Up from a Chair
- Pull one side of the pillowcase on the right side
- Pull the other side of the pillow case on the left side
- Help position the patient’s legs wide apart with the knees bent
- Align the patient’s arms to the chair’s armrest
- Bend your knees to protect your back from injury
- Place one arm under the patient’s arm and your other hand along their back
- Gently help the patient lean forward and stand
How to Transfer an Elderly Person from Wheelchair to Bed
- Tie a gait belt around the patient’s back nice and slow
- Slightly push the patient at the edge of the wheelchair and ask the patient to put a little force on the armchair
- Pick the patient up from the gait belt
- Put the patient on the bed and remove the gait belt
- Put one hand behind the patient’s shoulder and the other under the legs
- Pick the patient up and transfer into the bed
How to Move a Patient Up in Bed (Alone)
- Place a pillow against the headboard to prevent injury to the patient
- Put the top of slider sheet level with the patient’s ear
- The closed end of the slider should be positioned toward the head
- Put one hand behind the patient’s shoulder and the other under the legs
- Pick the patient up and lie on the bed
- Make sure the patient’s shoulders are on the slider and the slider is level with the patient’s ear
- Ask the patient to bend his or her knees with feet flat on the mattress
- Hold the patient’s feet as the patient lifts hips, tucks chin, and uses feet to move up in bed
- Once the patient is in position, remove the slider and make sure the patient is comfortable
How to Transfer an Elderly Person from Bed to Wheelchair
Sitting the patient up:
- Position the wheelchair beside the bed
- Inform the patient about the transfer that will take place
- Lift footrests, detach footrest assembly, and set aside
- Position left arm underneath the right armpit of the patient and your other arm underneath their knees
- Proceed to pivot the patient to a seated position
- Attach a gait belt while the patient is in a seated position
Lifting the patient:
- Place your legs apart and make sure the patient’s legs are together between your legs
- Position your arms underneath their armpits and lay your hands flat on their back
- You may grab the gait belt while placing your other arm underneath the patient’s armpit with your hand resting flat on their back
- Bend your knees, keeping your back straight, and lift with your legs
Transferring to the wheelchair:
- Using the same arm positioning as the previous step, take small steps until the back of the patient’s legs are touching the edge of the wheelchair
- Slowly lower the patient into the wheelchair
- Reattach the foot rest assembly and help the patient place their feet on the footrest
- Disengage the breaks, and now you are ready to go