There are some activities of daily living (ADLs) that we all must complete on a daily basis to have a quality of life. As we age and as disease processes progress, the ability to perform these activities can be limited. The senior may require assistance with these functions for safety.
One of the ADLs is transferring. Transferring means the person is moving from one surface to another. Examples include from a chair to bed and back, to a toilet and back, from a wheelchair to an easy chair and in and out of an automobile. Because of loss of strength and limited range of motion of joints in the legs and hips, these transfers can be painful and lead to falls and injury.
The one tool that is most valuable is a gait belt. This belt is canvas or woven, and we place it around the waist of the person to be transferred. The belt must be very snug. The individual assisting with the move puts one hand on either side of the person to be transferred and grabs the belt firmly. As the caregiver communicates with the senior, they make the transfer. The senior is not lifted, they are transferred smoothly using the large muscles of the legs and buttocks of caregiver for strength and leverage.
Some rules of thumb in the use of a gait belt are:
There are videos on the internet that will demonstrate the use of a gait belt. If you see a caregiver transferring unsafely, stop them for the well-being of your family member. Ask them to get a gait belt and return for the transfer. Many nursing facilities require all staff to wear a gait belt as part of their uniform.
Remember, you are the advocate. A caregiver that is not transferring the correct way can impact the safety and wellbeing of your loved one. Do not be afraid to intervene when you see an opportunity for improvement in the care delivered to your family or friend. Contact me if you require further information or have concerns about how to transfer your loved one.