Transfer aids assist people with some weightbearing capacity to transfer between one surface and another. This may include standing or seated transfer aids, transfer boards or vehicle transfer aids.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
There are various types of transfer aids used for varying purposes. A person’s ability to weightbear and the type of transfer they are wishing to perform will determine which transfer aid they will require.
Standing transfer aids
Standing transfer aids assist people who can weightbear to actively participate as they transfer from one seated position to another. This eliminates almost all lifting requirements of the carer and reduces risk of injury. Aids available include:
- rotating discs allowing a person to move into a standing position, and then with assistance turn towards the alternate seat and lower without having to move their feet
- standing aid which has rotating discs on which the person stands using a steel frame which includes handles and knee supports, and allows independent transfer without carer support
- walking belts that are worn by the person and allow two carers to hold onto attached handles and support the person as they walk
- transfer pads, with handles sewn in on either side, which sit under the persons buttocks and can be used by carers to assist the person to move from sitting to standing.
Lying transfer aids
Lying transfer aids assist people who need full assistance to transfer from a lying position to either sitting, standing or lying whilst minimising the physical strain on the carer. Aids available include:
- sliding sheets with handles that when placed under a person lying on their back allows carers to move them up and down the bed, onto their side or even into a sitting position
- air moving elevating lift chairs or cushions to transfer a person lying on the floor who has fallen, to a seated position using a pump mechanism.
Vehicle transfer aids can include
Vehicle transfer aids assist people to transfer in an out of vehicles. Aids available include:
- mobile battery operated hoists, which can be dismantled and transported, and can take the full weight of the person and lift and swivel them into the car:
o Hoists—car
- swivel car seat adaptation where a manual or power operated swivel mechanism is attached to the base of the existing vehicle seat and allows it to rotate 90o to assist with transferring
- swivel discs that rest on the car seat and allow easy turning as the top moveable disc rotates on the base stationary disc. These are also available in a wedge shape
- transportable steel handles that are used on the ‘V’ shaped door striker plate of most vehicles with grab handle to assist with getting out of a car
- adjustable straps that can attach to the vehicle grab rail or door to assist with transferring
- sliding pads/sheets to assist with moving, turning and transferring with models available for aircraft transfers
- automatic seat lifters which enable a car passenger seat to lift out of a van and swivel 90o
- curved transfer boards which accommodate for various shapes of car doors and allow transfer from mobility aid to/from car.
Seated transfer aids and transfer boards
Transfer boards come in a range of materials, designs and lengths and generally have a non slip surface on the base, with a slippery top surface which may be moveable. The board is placed between two surfaces such as a bed and wheelchair and the person slides across the board. Transfer boards are also available which have a toilet opening to allow transfer and use of the toilet without removal of the board.
For persons unable to assist with their transfer, manual slings are available with multiple straps that are looped under and around the seated person with up to 3 carers using the hoist to lift the person from one location to another. A range of hoists and slings are also available for transfers that minimise lifting requirements for carers and therefore reduce their risk of injury:
A professional assessment of each individual situation is required, to ensure that the most suitable choice is made to maximise independence whilst also ensuring safety.
For other equipment related to transfers, please see the links below:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2011, Lifting, Transferring and Standing Equipment – Lifting & Transferring Aids, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 26 July 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search3.asp?State=NSW&MC=44&MinC=41.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2010, Transport, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 26 July 2011, http://www.ilcaustralia.org/search2.asp?State=NSW&MC=51.
LifeTec Queensland 2009, Transfer Equipment, LifeTec Queensland, Brisbane, viewed 26 July 2011, http://www.lifetec.org.au/_uploads/212718Transfer%20Equipment.pdf.