Consumer Information

Wheel Chair Transfers

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? A wheel chair transfer means getting in or out of your wheel chair. You need to learn to do the transfers by yourself or know what is needed for someone to help you.

Why do I need to do it? It is important that you change positions when you use a wheel chair. This is necessary so your joints and muscles do not become stiff. By changing positions your body fluids do not accumulate in one area such as in your lungs. Changing positions can decrease the risk of getting pressure sores (decubitus ulcers).

How do I transfer?

There are different types of wheel chair transfers. Talk to your caregiver to decide which types of wheel chair transfers are best for you. You can move from your bed to your wheel chair by standing or by sitting. You can also use a transfer board to move from one place to another.
Sometimes a member of your family or a friend helps you do the transfers. Another type of transfer may be from your wheel chair to your car. Make sure the wheels are locked before you start a transfer. Take the leg and foot rests off or move them to the sides of the wheel chair before you start.
Transferring without help from another person:
The standing transfer:
- Sitting on the side of the bed put your stronger foot slightly ahead of your weaker foot. Put your hands with the palms down on the bed next to your hips. Push with your hands to lift yourself to a standing position.
- With your stronger hand, grasp the wheel chair's armrest that is farthest from you.
- Twist to grasp the wheel chair's other armrest with your other hand.
- You should now be directly in front of the wheel chair and the backs of your legs should be touching the edge of the seat.
- With your hands firmly holding the wheel chair's armrests, lower yourself onto the seat.
- Replace the leg and foot rests and position yourself in the chair.
The sitting transfer:
- Sit on the edge of the bed with your feet flat on the floor.
- Put the right side of the wheel chair against the left side of the bed. You can put the left side of the wheel chair against the right side of the bed if that is better.
- Remove the chair's armrest that is next to the bed.
- Put one hand with the palm down on the seat of the wheel chair. Put your other hand flat on the bed next to your hip.
- With the hand that is on the bed, push up to lift yourself off the bed. Shift your weight to your other hand and slowly scoot to the seat of the wheel chair.
- Replace the armrest and leg and foot rests.
- Get comfortable in the chair.
The backward-sitting transfer:
- Place the front of the wheel chair seat as close as you can to the side of the bed.
- Lock the wheels of the chair.
- Your legs should be straight in front of you and flat on the bed.
- Pushing with your hands flat on the mattress, lean a little forward and lift your buttocks off the bed.
- Move backward to the edge of the bed to get close to the wheel chair.
- When you get in front of the chair stop and grab the arms of the chair.
- Lift your buttocks and move onto the seat of the chair.
- When you feel comfortable in the chair, unlock the wheels and push yourself away from the bed.
- Using your hands, lift your legs off the bed and put your feet flat on the floor in front of you.
- Replace the leg and foot rests. Put your legs and feet on the leg and foot rests.
The forward-sitting transfer:
- Place the front of the wheel chair seat as close as you can to the side of the bed.
- You are now facing the bed.
- Lift your legs off the leg and foot rests.
- Remove the leg and foot rests or move them out of the way.
- Raise your legs onto the bed.
- Move your chair closer to the side of the bed as you lift your legs off the bed.
- Rest your legs on the bed straight and flat in front of you.
- Lock the wheels of the chair.
- Grasp the arms of the chair.
- Lift your buttocks off the wheel chair seat and move across the bed to the middle.
- Move as needed to get comfortable in bed.
Using a transfer board: A transfer board is a device made of wood or plastic. The board is a safe way for you to move to or from your bed to your wheel chair. The board must be wide and strong enough to hold your weight. It also needs to be long enough to go from the bed to the wheel chair. The surface of the board should be smooth to make easier for you to move across the board. You may need help with this type of transfer. The wheel chair and the bed should be about the same height when using the board.
- Move the wheel chair along the side of the bed.
- Lock the wheels of the chair.
- Remove the wheel chair leg and arm rests closest to the bed.
- Put your weight on the side of your buttock farthest from the bed.
- Put one end of the transfer board under your buttocks and thighs.
- Put the other end of the board on the bed.
- Grab the other arm of the chair with one hand and the board with your other hand.
- Lift yourself and slide across the board toward the bed.
- Put one hand flat on the bed and the other hand on the board.
- Keep sliding toward the middle of the bed.
- Remove the board by sliding it out from under you.
Transferring with help from another person: A transfer with help can be used any time and with any of the transfers already described. It is especially helpful when getting someone into a car. The car should be close to the door of the building. Make sure there is enough room to open the car door.
- Open the car door all the way.
- Move the wheel chair close to the car.
- Remove both leg rests and the arm rest closest to car. Put the person's feet flat on the ground.
- Place the side of the chair close to the car seat.
- Lock the wheels of the chair.
- Move in front of the person and put your knees against his legs.
- Bend your knees a little and slide your arms under his arms and around his waist.
- Help him to stand while keeping your knees against his during the transfer.
- Turn the person's back toward the seat of the car.
- When the person is in front of the seat, lower him onto the seat.
- With your hands under his knees lift his legs and put them inside the car.
- Put the person's seat belt on and carefully close the door.
What do I do if I fall from my wheel chair? Call for help first. If no one comes to help, follow these steps.
- Look around you for a low strong piece of furniture, such as a coffee table.
- Put your hands with the palms down close to your hips.
- Lift your buttocks off the floor by pushing down with your hands.
- Scoot toward the wheel chair.
- Unlock the wheels of the wheel chair.
- Scoot toward the coffee table pulling or pushing the wheel chair with you.
- Move the chair so the seat faces the table.
- Lock the wheels of the chair.
- Move the leg rests to the side.
- Place your back against the opposite side of the table.
- Reach back and put both hands palms down on the table.
- Push down as you lift your buttocks off the floor and onto the table.
- Move back on the table to get as close as possible to the wheel chair.
- Reach back and put your hands flat on the seat of the chair.
- Lift yourself onto the seat by pushing down with both hands.
- Slide back and get comfortable in the chair.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your illness, injury, and how to use a wheel chair. You can then discuss your treatment options with your caregiver. You can work with him/her to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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