Life after stroke: Bed to Wheelchair Transfer

Moving from bed to wheelchair is an important technique for patients with hemiplegic to get out of bed and start activity. Mastering the skill of bed and wheelchair transfer can accelerate the recovery of patients, improve self-confidence and reduce the burden of families.

How family members help patients transfer from bed to wheelchair

1.Check the wheelchair’s brakes, tires, footrests and seat belts. If everything is normal, push the wheelchair to the patient’s healthy side, make the back of the wheelchair at a 40°-45°angle to the end of the bed. Turn up the footrests, pull the brakes and secure the wheelchair. Help the patient sit up slowly and put on comfortable shoes.

2.Family members help the patient hang their legs under the bed and lean forward with their feet on the ground. Family members stand facing the patient with their feet apart on either side of the patient's legs. Clamp the outside of the patient's knee with both knees to immobilize the patient. Hold the patient’s buttocks up with one hand, and hold the waistband with the other hand to pull the patient forward.

3.Let the patient hold the family member’s neck or put the healthy hand on the family member’s shoulder and stand up forcefully. The patient can rest his or her head on the shoulder of the family member on the side of the wheelchair.

4.Adjust the patient’s center of gravity so that the lower limbs stand upright and maintain balance

5.After the patient stood still, the family member slowly supported the patient to rotate the body and make patient’s back facing the wheelchair. And then help the patient slowly bend down and sit in the wheelchair.

6.When the patient is seated, turn down the footrests and place patient’s feet on the pedal.

How patient independently transfer from the bed to the wheelchair

 

 

1.The wheelchair is placed on the healthy side of the patient and at a 30°-45°angle from the bed. Pull the brake and turn up the footrests.

2.The patient stands up with a healthy hand holding the near armrest.

3.The head extends to the front, rotate the body with the healthy lower limb as the axis, and support the far side armrest with the healthy hand to maintain balance.

4.Turn your body and adjust your center of gravity so that your hips are facing the wheelchair and sit in the wheelchair slowly.

5.Adjust the affected body position and put the affected foot on the footrest.

Notice

·Place the wheelchair on the healthy side of the patient.

·To ensure safety, always brake before getting in and out of the wheelchair

·When getting in and out of the wheelchair, always turn up the footrests to avoid losing balance and falling.