Transfers

Proper Body Mechanics

Face your client.
Stay close to the client.
Lift with your knees not your back. (Bend you knees)
Have a wide base of support.
Keep your heels planted firmly on the floor.
Ask for help when needed!

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021; Tipton-Burton & Adler, 2018)

Levels of Assistance

Independent: Client completes transfer safely without physical or verbal assistance.
Modified Independent: Client transfers safely without physical or verbal assistance but may require increased time or assistive devices.
Supervised: Client requires supervision for safety.
Contact Guard/Standby Assistance: Clinician has hands on for safety or is at arms length from the client.
Minimal Assistance: Clinician puts hands over the clients shoulders and places the hands on the scapula to assist client.
Moderate Assistance: Clinician’s hands are positioned on client’s lower back to assist client.
Maximum Assistance: Clinician’s hands are positioned under the hips to assist client.
Dependent: Client is unable help during transfer; clinician does the entire transfer.

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

Sit To Stand

This transfer is used when the client is able to stand and pivot on both feet. This technique is commonly used for clients with a hemiparesis, hemiplegia, or loss of strength and/or balance.

Sit To Stand Transfer Steps:

Ask client to move to edge of their seat. Have their feet planted on the floor with heels angled slightly toward the goal surface.
Clinician is positioned in front of the client on their weaker side with hand positioning dependent on level of assistance required. Client pushes off of seat to standing position with the aid of the clinician. (Clinician can help stabilize the client’s affected side by positioning their foot and knee against the client’s if needed.)

(Tipton-Burton & Adler, 2018)

Sit to stand transfer, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Mikayla Morton.

Stand-Pivot

This transfer is used when the client is able to stand and pivot on both feet. This technique is commonly used for clients with a hemiparesis, hemiplegia, or loss of strength and/or balance.

Stand-Pivot Transfer Steps:

Ask client to move to the edge of their seat. Have their feet planted on the floor with heels angled slightly towards the goal surface.
Clinician is positioned in front of the client on their weaker side with hand positioning dependent on level of assistance required. Client pushes off of seat to standing position with the aid of the clinician. (Clinician can help stabilize the client’s affected side by positioning their foot and knee against the client’s if needed.)
Client and clinician pivot towards goal surface.
Client reaches back for goal surface as the clinician guides client to seated position.

(Tipton-Burton & Adler, 2018)

Stand pivot transfer, November 5, 2021. Courtesy of Mikayla Morton.

References:

Gett, M., & Romaniw, A. (2021, September 21). Functional Mobility & the OTPF IV [PowerPoint slides]. Department of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Chatham University https://mylearning.chatham.edu/d2l/le/content/21252/viewContent/283026/View

Morton, M. (2021, November 5). Sit to stand transfer [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ylCdaWq7oXk

Morton, M. (2021, November 5). Stand pivot transfer [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6KWj1whA4zU

Tipton-Burton. M, & Adler, C. (2018) Mobility: Section 2 wheelchair assessment and transfers. In L. W. Pedretti, H. M. H. Pendleton, & W. Schultz-Krohn (Eds.), Pedretti’s occupational therapy: Practice skills for physical dysfunction (8th ed., pp. 247-249) Elsevier.