In 1978, when I was 15 years old, I suffered a spinal cord injury. I spent six months in rehab. When I was discharged, the rehabilitation staff showed my dad how to transfer me using a slide board. He would swing my legs over the side of the bed, grab my hands and lift me into a sitting position. I would put my arms around his neck, and he would put the slide board under me, grab my belt loops and my older brother would grab the back of my pants and they would slide (throw) me into the chair. My dad never used a transfer belt and because we had carpet, we didn’t use a lift. No matter how much it hurt him at times, my dad would go through the same process every day for 20 plus years until he could no long do it, just two months before he past away.
We are writing this post because there are so many ways for caregivers to transfer someone safely without hurting themselves.
Caregivers will share that one of the more strenuous aspects of their job is coordinating patient or loved-ones transfers from one piece of equipment to another. If done with careful preparation and coordination on the part of both people, most transfers can be accomplished safely and without physical harm to either person. If not done with careful thought and preparation, either party could end up with physical trauma.
Understanding how many times you will transfer a person from one place to another will give you a proper perspective of just how physically taxing this part of caregiving can become. Being mindful of the need for safety and how you will go about maintaining safe transfers will be beneficial to everyone for as long as you are a caregiver.
Depending on the person’s condition, transfers could be more difficult. When the loved-one suffers from a neurological disorder, brain or spinal cord injury or Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, and/or Dementia, the lift and transfer could be very difficult.
Different Transfer Types If you are a caregiver, I invite you to click on the links below that will take you to the Shepherd Connection website that give you great information on how to perform the different transfers.
Golden Valley Medical Supply has everything you (caregivers) need to successfully and safely transfer your loved ones. Please contact us at (909) 884-0445 or visit our store at 424 W. Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92405. We have in stock, transfer belts, slide boards and Hoyer Lifts.
Don’t make the caregiving process difficult on yourself or your loved one. If Healthcare professionals use transfer products to help them safely move patients in hospitals and rehab facilities, shouldn't you in your home?
