16
columnist
The HEALTH | JULY, 2018
P OIN TS FOR C A R ETA K ERS
Wheelchair-to-car transfer
tips for rehab patients
T
ransferring someone who is
wheelchair bound into a vehicle
requires skill, effort and forward
planning. Caregivers must know
proper transfer techniques to protect
themselves and the patient. Transfers involve
moving a patient from one surface to another,
where the patient is either capable of assisting
or requires full assistance. Getting into and out
of a vehicle can be easily done when you know
the proper transfer techniques.
Steps for car transfer:
1. Prior to transferring or moving
a person, inform them of what
you are about to do.
2. Move the wheelchair seat as
close as possible to the vehicle
while maintaining sufficient
space for both you and the
patient to move.
3. The therapist or caregiver
should stand inside the open
door where the door meets the
car.
4. Angle the chair about 45 degrees
to the vehicle. Lock the brakes
on wheelchair. The foot pedals
should always be swung out of
the way or raised completely.
Move the armrest on the trans-
ferring side of the wheelchair
out of the way.
5. Assist the patient whilst they
move towards the edge of the
wheelchair seat. Once they are
close to the edge of the seat, ask
them to lean forward towards
you.
6. From this point, a stand pivot
transfer or sliding board
transfer may be used when
transferring from wheelchair
into a car seat.
7. Stand close to the person you
are assisting. While lifting them
towards the vehicle seat, be sure
to keep your back in a neutral
position, which means that your
back must be arched normally
and not strained. Keep both of
your knees bent, with weight
placed on both of your feet
equally.
8. Use your arms to support
the patient and use your leg
muscles as you lift them. Do not
place too much weight on your
back. When you turn, carefully
pivot your body by turning on
one foot. Do not twist your
body.
Remember to keep your
shoulders relaxed but not bent
or hunched. If you require a
great deal of effort to perform
this transfer, strap the transfer
belt around the patient’s waist.
Hold on to the belt as you trans-
fer them to the vehicle.
9. If the patient has weak knees,
you will need to line up your
knees with theirs, in order to
provide extra support while
lifting. Guide the patient to shift
their body towards the opened
car door while facing you.
10. Once they are next to the car
door, encourage the patient to
bend their knees so that you
can assist them in sitting down
comfortably inside the car.
Chelvi Muniandy is ReGen Reha-
bilitation International’s Therapy
director. She can be contacted at
www.regenhealth.com
TIPS
Sedan cars are the best
when transferring a patient.
•
BY CHELVI
MUNIANDY
The front passenger
seat is the most
advisable location for
the wheelchair-to-car
transfer, as the seat can be
pushed back to allow more
leg space for the patient.
Slide the car seat back
to allow enough room for
the transfer.
•
•
Recommended car
type: Sedan cars, with the
car seat at an almost equal
height to the wheelchair.
The wheelchair used
should have detachable
armrests and footrests.
•
PRESCRIPTIVE
LAUGHTER
Two caretakers assisting a patient off the wheelchair as she
leans forward.
A caretaker using the leg muscles to lift the patient.
Reporter: “Excuse me, may I
interview you?”
Man: “Yes!”
Reporter: “Name?”
Man: “Damir.”
Reporter: “Sex”
Man: “Three to five times a week.”
Reporter: “No no! I mean male or
female?”
Man: “Yes, male, female…some-
times horse.”
Reporter: “Holy cow!”
Man: “Yes, cow, sheep…animals in
general.”
Reporter: “But isn’t that hostile?”
Man: “Yes, horse style, dog style,
any style.”
Reporter: “Oh deer!”
Man: “No, no deer. Deer run too
fast. Hard to catch.”