How To Move the Elderly With Complete Paralysis, From Bed to Wheelchair

If the elderly cannot sit-up straight to transfer into the wheelchair, the caregiver can use a transfer mat to help.

Use a transfer mat to transfer the elderly who can’t sit up, into an already reclined wheelchair. Source: Karma Medical Taiwan; Karma Academy

1. Recline the wheelchair into a lying-down position . Remove the armrest before preparing the elderly for transfer.

2. Roll the elderly on their side and place the transfer mat under them. Roll the elderly back onto their back and adjust them so they are on the center of the mat.

3. Bring the reclined wheelchair as close to the bed as possible. The caregiver can use their own body to hold the wheelchair in place whilst they slide the user onto the wheelchair.

When transferring the elderly from the reclined wheelchair to the bed, make sure the bed and the wheelchair are the same height. Source: Karma Medical Taiwan; Karma Academy

Transferring the elderly back into the bed from a reclined wheelchair is not unlike transferring them from the bed.

1. Recline the wheelchair into the lying down position, with the armrest removed on the side next to the bed, and lay the transfer mat out on the bed.

2. Lift the leg of the elderly user closest to the bed. The caregiver should roll the user towards themselves and slide the mat under the elderly.

3. Lifting the elderly’s legs onto the bed first will make it easier to shift the rest of their body onto the bed.

4. Move the wheelchair away from the bed. Position the elderly in the middle of the bed and carefully remove the transfer mat from under them.

Summary

With the advice of a physical therapist or doctor, work with elderly wheelchair users to practice standing, walking, and sitting up with these simple steps.

Our goal at Karma is for people of all ages and abilities to lead the best life possible, and sometimes simply being able to sit up and socialise with friends and family is it.

Still not sure what method to use to transfer the elderly into a wheelchair? The following flow chart should give you an idea of what assistive devices are needed to transfer each level of elderly wheelchair users.