Table of Contents

• 1. What is a Transfer Board
• 2. Types of Transfer Boards
• 3. Choosing the Right Transfer Board for Specific Needs
• 4. Transfer Board for Elderly People
• 5. How to Use a Transfer Board Safely
• 6. Transfer Board for Wheelchair Transfers

This blog post will introduce you to a tool many caregivers need when caring for someone with mobility challenges: the transfer board. This is a pretty simple device that helps a person move from one place to another (what therapists call a transfer) when they have difficulty standing up or bearing weight through their legs. Most people will use it when moving from a wheelchair to a bed (or vice versa), wheelchair to a commode, or other sitting surfaces.

Intro: What is a Transfer Board?

A transfer board, often also known as a slide board, is a flat, rigid board. They can be made of wood, plastic, or some other sturdy material. It’s designed to bridge the gap between two surfaces and allows people with limited mobility to slide across smoothly with less effort than when trying to stand. It helps reduce the risk of falling or injury to the care recipient as well as the caregiver.

When you’re going to use a transfer board, one end of it is placed under the thigh of your care recipient, and the other end is positioned on the target surface, usually a wheelchair or bed. It can be a little easier if your care recipient has a little upper body and arm strength that way they can use their arms (and sometimes their feet), to scoot across the board to the destination. The caregiver can also help slide them along so it’s not so hard on the care recipient. This will decrease the amount of physical strain that’s usually involved when trying to lift a person up to standing.

In short, they provide a safe and easy way that a caregiver can assist their loved one’s get from “Point A” to “Point B” in a sitting position when they can’t stand up safely or move on their own.

Types of Transfer Boards

Alright, if you go looking, you’ll see there are different types of transfer boards. They are all designed to do the same thing but may be shaped differently or made of different material. With some the unique shapes are meant to be useful with wheelchairs or body types.

Each type of transfer board has its own set of advantages. The key is to choose one that best fits the needs of your loved one and your own as a caregiver. Whether it’s the durability of wood, the lightweight nature of plastic, or the added security of handles, there’s a transfer board out there that can make caregiving and mobility a little easier and a lot safer. It’s all about finding the right fit for your unique situation.

Choosing the Right Transfer Board for Your Needs

Alright, let’s talk a little more about choosing the right transfer board for your needs. There are nuances that you may not consider making things harder rather than easier if you get the wrong board.

First, consider the care recipient who’ll be sliding on the board. Think about their mobility level and strength. If they have good upper body strength and can use their legs a bit, a basic wooden board might do the trick. But if they need more support, look for a board with handles that can be used to position and hold the board in place.

Next, think about where you’ll be using the board. If it’s mostly for in and out of bed, the height of the bed to the wheelchair is an important consideration because a longer board might be needed. Tip: Place the wheelchair next to the bed and measure from the place the care recipient sits to the middle of the wheelchair seat. This will give you a rough estimate of how long the board should be.

If you’re going to be working in tight spaces, then a shorter board will be needed. Again, get the measuring tape out and measure from the middle of where they will be seated to the middle of the wheelchair or destination chair seat.

Material is key too. Wooden boards are durable and have a classic feel, but they can be heavy. Plastic boards are lighter and easier to clean – a big plus if you’re using it frequently. If you’re going to have to manually carry the board through the home (versus stowing it in the back pouch available on some wheelchairs) then having a slide board with handles may make it easier if your grip is not that strong.

Naturally, as we have mentioned above, consider the weight capacity of the board. You want something that’s strong enough to support the person using it comfortably and safely. It generally will take a lot of force for a board to break, but, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, wider transfer boards will make larger care recipients feel more secure.

Transfer Board for Elderly People

Using a transfer board for you elderly loved ones comes with a few other considerations. As you are well aware, as we get older our mobility generally changes. General overall weakness, fear of falling, arthritic knees, and the probable presence of other chronic conditions and diseases make moving a lot more difficult and getting out of bed to a chair is a real challenge.

But also for the elderly, you have to consider their skin. Many older and frail seniors that need to use a transfer board, often have fragile skin or possibly even bed sores on their bottom. This means that sliding across a board may make things worse, tearing the skin or making a sore bigger. It’s important that the surface of the board be as smooth as possible in this case. One trick that therapists use is to put baby powder on the board before using it. This helps prevent often moist skin from “sticking” to the board. So, if this is your situation, make sure you get a board with a smoother finish or one that has a low-friction surface. This helps in making the transfer as smooth as silk, reducing any discomfort or risk of skin tears, which can be a real concern with more delicate skin.

Caregivers would benefit from learning to use a transfer board as it could also help our seniors stay in their homes longer.

How to Use a Transfer Board

Alright, let’s talk about using a transfer board,… safely – because, as you know, safety is key in caregiving. Using a transfer board might seem straightforward, but there are a few tips and tricks to ensure it’s done safely and comfortably.

First, it may seem common sense, but always check the board before using it. Look for anything that might be stuck to it or rough edges, especially if it’s a wooden board, or anything else that may injure the user or make the transfer more difficult. We don’t want any unexpected surprises during a transfer!

Positioning is crucial. Make sure the board will fit between the two surfaces, whether it’s a wheelchair and a bed, or a car seat. It should be stable and secure, so there’s no slipping or shifting during the transfer. For instance, if the board is too short, then it may slip off one of the surfaces that it’s being used.

To get your recipient on the board, you’ll have them lean away from the board and lift their thigh closest to the destination. Slide the board under the thigh up to the hip. Please be gentle when placing the board, especially for male patients as it’s easy to pinch or hit their “male parts” with the corner of the board.

Once the board is in place, encourage your loved one to lean slightly forward and lift their rear up and scoot onto the board. They can use their arms (and legs) to help as its pretty strenuous for the caregiver to do all the work. Plus when you work together, it helps in making the transfer smoother. If you’re assisting, keep your back straight and bend your knees to avoid any strain. Remember, your safety is just as important.

Some people “scoot” along the board. Others “slide” in one continuous motion. Others actually simply pivot to their destination and only have the slide board there as a “back up” in case they lose their strength or need to rest for some reason.

After the transfer is completed and your recipient is at their destination you’ll need to remove the board. Simply have them lean away from the board, lift their thigh and slide the board free.

Keep this in mind: practice makes perfect. The more you use the transfer board, the more comfortable and confident you’ll both become with the process. It’s all about teamwork and finding a rhythm that works for both of you. Stay patient and keep communication open during each transfer. This way, you ensure a safe and comfortable experience every time.

Using a Transfer Board for Wheelchair Transfers

Alright, let’s chat about using transfer boards specifically for wheelchair transfers. This is a common scenario for many caregivers, and getting your system down will make getting your recipient to and from a wheelchair a breeze.

When using a transfer board with a wheelchair, the first step is to make sure the wheelchair is as close as possible to the surface you’re transferring to, like a bed or another chair. Keep in mind that it will be easier for the recipient to move toward their strong side. If your environment allows it, make sure wherever you’re moving to is on their strong side.

Once the chair is placed, lock those wheelchair brakes and remove the arm of the wheelchair. With most modern chairs, the arm rests lift off or swing away (many caregivers don’t realize this). Unfortunately, most lightweight transport chairs (and older wheelchairs) have non-removeable arms and a slide board can’t be used.

Once you have the chair in place, locked and the arm rest out of the way, just follow the above steps mentioned and you will be in the chair in no time. Pro tip: If you’re moving from or to an electric bed that can be raised or lowered, it’s a lot easier to “slide down” the board from a higher surface. For example, if you have a hospital bed that can be raised, elevate the bed slightly higher than the wheelchair seat. Then when getting back to bed, lower the bed so that it’s lower than the wheelchair seat. This way your care recipient is “sliding down” in each direction

Here’s another pro tip: If the transfer board is a bit sticky, you can use a towel, transfer sheet or even a plastic bag on the board to reduce friction. It makes sliding across a breeze.

Remember, take your time, communicate with each other, and move at a pace that’s comfortable for both of you. With a bit of practice, using a transfer board for wheelchair transfers will become a seamless part of your routine, enhancing both safety and independence.