Everyday Life With ALS: A Practical Guide

If you have ALS, or care for someone who does, this practical guide will answer many of your questions about equipment, therapies and accessibility that arise over the course of the disease.

Chapter 7 - Transfers

Weakness can limit your ability to accomplish such everyday activities as getting into and out of beds or chairs. You may need assistance moving from one surface to another; these movements are called transfers. Transfer techniques and equipment have been developed to assist you and your caregiver team.

Spotlight on Transfer Tips and Precautions for the Caregiver To prevent back injury to you (the caregiver), bend at the hips and knees, not at the waist, as you prepare to lift someone; then straighten at the hips and knees as you lift. Keep a wide base of support by spreading your feet apart. If you're transferring someone from one place to another, stagger your feet in a walking position, and shift your weight from front to back as you lift, while keeping the person as close to you as possible. To avoid back injury: When turning, pivot on your feet or move them. Don't twist at the waist. Consider wearing a safety belt for added back support. Wear shoes with low heels, flexible nonslip soles and closed backs. Plan ahead. Know where you're going and how you're going to get there, and make sure the person you’re lifting also knows. Move everything out of the way, and make sure the brakes are engaged on any wheeled devices. Transfer him to even, stable surfaces; avoid low or overstuffed chairs and couches. If he starts to fall, ease him down onto the nearest surface — a chair, bed or even the floor. Don't stretch to complete the intended transfer. You're likely to lose your balance, strain your muscles, and injure both yourself and the person you're transferring. Tailor your lifting and transferring techniques to the type and degree of weakness in the person with ALS. Needs may change over time as weakness progresses. Use mechanical devices to help you whenever possible. If the person you’re transferring is using a wheelchair, be sure to stabilize it by securing the brakes. Remove the footrests and armrest on the side he’s being transferred toward. Don’t be discouraged if a lift seems cumbersome or too difficult to use at first. Practice makes perfect!