Disclaimer & Safety Notice:This cheat sheet is intended for general caregiver safety education. Never attempt a transfer if you feel you cannot support the physical load. Request clinical training to ensure safe patient handling.
1. General Body Mechanics
- Communicate First: Always tell your loved one what you are about to do before touching them.
- Brace Your Core: Keep your spine tall, bend at your knees and hips, and avoid twisting.
- No Pulling: Never pull on arms or under the armpits, as this can risk shoulder injury.
- Footwear: Both you and the patient must wear closed-back, non-slip rubber shoes.
2. Chair Stands (Out of Chair)
- Stand to the side, maintaining a wide foot stance.
- Have the person scoot forward to the front edge of the seat.
- Align their feet flat on the floor, tucked back slightly under the knees.
- Instruct them to lean forward ("nose over toes") and push up using their arms and legs.
- Support them with one hand at the waist/hip and the other at the front shoulder (collarbone).
3. Sitting Down & Bed Transfers
Sitting Down Safely
Back up until the patient feels the chair touching the back of their legs. Have them reach for the armrests, bend at their hips, and lower slowly while you support their lower back.
Bed log-roll standing
Help them roll onto their side facing you. Swing their legs off the mattress edge while supporting their shoulder to push up. Sit for 30 seconds to check for dizziness before standing.