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How to Use a Transfer Board
A transfer board is a smooth, rectangular board. It is used to help a person get from one seat or bed to another if he or she has limited ability to move.
Tips
- Do not use a transfer board with a person who cannot sit up. A transfer board should be used only with a person who has upper body strength and is able to sit.
- Consider using a mechanical lift device to decrease risk of injury.
- Have a second helper whenever possible. While you give help in the front, the second helper should give support from behind and help with lifting.
- Avoid rubbing skin along the board.
- Offer only as much help as the person needs. Allow him or her to help as much as he or she can.
- Always tell the person being moved what you will be doing next.
- Nonslip shoes should be worn by the person and his or her helpers.
- Always cover the board with a towel.
- For any transfer, put a gait belt around the person’s waist and close it securely.
- Be sure that both buttocks lift off of the chair, bed, or board for each scoot.
How to transfer a person from a bed to a chair
Preparing
- Position the
chair near the bed so it faces toward the bed at a 45-degree angle. If the
chair is a wheelchair:
- Remove the footrests.
- Raise or remove the armrest that is near the bed.
- Use the brakes to lock the wheels.
- If the bed is adjustable, raise it so the top of the bed is a little higher than the seat of the chair.
- Have the person sit at the edge of the bed.
- If a square pad is available, place it under the person’s trunk (torso) to help with the transfer.
Moving
- Lean the person sideways to raise the buttock that is near the chair.
- Slide a third of the covered board under the raised buttock.
- Place the other end of the board on the chair so it reaches the middle of the chair.
- Put your leg that is near the bed between the person’s legs. Put your other leg closer to the chair.
- Ask the
person to push down with his or her hands to briefly lift both buttocks
slightly off of the bed.
- Make sure the person does not grab the ends of the board. His or her hands could get pinched under the board.
- Have the person lean forward and hug the helper in front while a helper at the back guides the person’s hips. Help the person to scoot a couple of times across the board and into the chair.
- When the person is stable in the chair, remove your hands.
- Stand in front of the person and lean him or her to the side to raise the buttock off of the board. Remove the board.
- Smooth out the towel. It can remain under the person in the chair.
- If the chair is a wheelchair, put the armrest and footrests back in place.
- When the person is secure in the chair, remove the gait belt.
How to transfer a person from a chair to a bed
Preparing
- Position the
chair near the bed. If the chair is a wheelchair:
- Remove the footrests.
- Raise or remove the armrest that is near the bed.
- Use the brakes to lock the wheels.
- If the bed is adjustable, lower it so the top of the bed is even with or a little lower than the seat of the chair.
Moving
- Lean the person sideways to raise the buttock that is near the bed.
- Slide a third of the covered board under the raised buttock. The board should bridge the gap between the chair and the bed.
- Have the person lean forward and hug the helper in front while a helper at the back guides the person’s hips. Help the person to scoot a couple of times across the board and onto the bed.
- The person should be sitting up with both legs over the edge of the bed.
- Stand in front of the person and lean him or her to the side to raise the buttock off of the board. Remove the board.
- Position the towel on the bed and smooth it out. It can remain under the person in bed.
- Roll the person over onto the towel in a comfortable position.
- When the person is secure on the bed, remove the gait belt.
How to transfer a person from a chair to another chair
Preparing
- Position the
chairs so they are side-by-side (parallel). If one chair is a
wheelchair:
- Remove the footrests.
- Raise or remove the armrests that are between the chairs.
- Use the brakes to lock the wheels.
- Position the empty chair to be even with or a little lower than the chair that the person is in.
Moving
- Lean the person sideways to raise the buttock that is near the empty chair.
- Slide a third of the covered board under the raised buttock. The board should bridge the gap between the two chairs.
- Have the person lean forward and hug the helper in front while a helper at the back guides the person’s hips. Help the person to scoot a couple of times across the board and into the empty chair.
- Stand in front of the person and lean him or her to the side to raise the buttock off of the board. Remove the board.
- If the person is sitting in a wheelchair now, put the armrests and footrests back in place.
- When the person is secure in the chair, remove the gait belt.