How to Apply a Transfer Belt on Anyone

People living with bone, neural or muscular injuries or diseases often experience decreased mobility leading to a largely bedridden existence. Such conditions, especially if prolonged, can conduce to social isolation and the loss of independence. This can make a person increasingly vulnerable not only to loneliness and despair, but to a myriad of corporeal complications, including bed sores, osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems. As a caregiver, you must try to keep the immobilized person active. A transfer belt can help by facilitating movement of your patient from bed to chair in a manner safe and easy for you and the patient.

Things You'll Need

• Transfer belt
• Bed
• Chair
• Non-skid shoes

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Instructions

Transfer from Bed to Chair

• 1

  Assess the patient you are about to assist for factors germane to the transfer, and for signs of possible mental or physical problems not directly related to the transfer. Factors bearing on the transfer can include the patient's willingness and ability to cooperate and maintain balance, muscle strength, bone continuity, dizziness and fatigue, notes the book "Clinical Nursing Skills & Techniques, 5th ed.," by Anne Griffin Perry and Patricia A. Potter.

• 2

  Set the chair to which you will make the transfer near the bed, at a 45-degree angle to it, to minimize the distance of the transfer. Assist the patient to a sitting position on the side of the bed. Fix the transfer belt around her waist.

• 3

  Allow time for blood to circulate to the patient's head after she attains a sitting position. This is especially important with the elderly, when the cardiovascular system may need time to catch up with the abrupt change in posture. Help the patient put on non-skid shoes and place her stronger, weight-bearing leg slightly forward, keeping the weaker foot back. Spread your feet apart and flex your hips and knees, aligning your knees with those of your still-sitting subject.

• 4

  Grasp the transfer belt with both hands from underneath and, on the announced count of three, rock the patient to a standing position while straightening your hips and legs and keeping your knees slightly flexed. If she is cooperating and can use her hands to push up from the bed, you may instruct her to do so.

• 5

  Pivot on your foot farthest from the chair as you set the patient down in the chair, directing her, if she can help herself, to use the chair's armrests for support. Flex your hips and knees while lowering her into the chair.

• 6

  Assess the patient for proper alignment in the chair and, if appropriate, provide support for paralyzed extremities, such as a lapboard or sling for a flaccid arm or a pillow to stabilize a leg. Praise her for her effort. This will encourage her to stay mobile in the future. Mobility contributes to optimal independence, improves joint motion, promotes circulation, relieves pressure on the skin and improves urinary and respiratory functions, note Perry and Potter.