People who are wheelchair bound or have been prescribed bed rest have a difficult time moving in to the wheel chair from bed or vice versa. The difficulties that arose from such situations led to the advent of Transfer Boards. Transfer boards are also helpful for people using commodes or other bathroom seats. The can be used to transfer people into and out of the car easily.
A simple board, designed in a specific way, transfer boards or sliding boards are used to transfer a person from the wheelchair to the bed, the toilet seat or into the car. They can be used to transfer a person from one place to another easily. They are better option over other transfer tools as they offer the least amount of pressure on the upper body. Simple injuries such as sprains or strains can be easily handled with a simple rectangular or simple shaped transfer board. But people with ailments such as arthritis, or paralysis have to use transfer boards that include advanced features such as rails and locks. Some even include seats that move along the transfer board like an escalator. They reduce the amount of pressure on the upper body.
These boards are necessary for people who have to shift places from the wheelchair to the bed and to other places many times in a day. They are recommended for people with:
There are a number of other reasons that may result in a person losing the ability to move around freely and might require the help of a transfer board.
There are no specific types of transfer boards as such. But on a very broad basis they can be classified into the following types:
Specifically made from hardwood, they are hygienic and are polished so that easy sliding or transfer is possible. The perfect example for this types is the Therafin Commode Transfer Board that is striate-sanded for wet skin transfers and buff-sanded on the other side for clothed transfers.
Made of plastic, these boards are easy to clean and also have surface that enable the user to transfer from one place to the other easily. A good PVC specimen that can be useful is the Therafin Econoglide Plastic Transfer Board. It is hand-held and is completely moisture proof.
They are shaped like a transfer board but are used to carry the person. Usually recommended for people who cannot sit up straight easily. One of the best sheets is the Bestcare Patient Transfer sheet that is continuous loop nylon fabric and is friction free.
They are specifically designed with sturdy and quality wood that can support heavy weights without cracking or giving in. The right kind of bariatric board is the Drive Bariatric Transfer Board With Cut Out Handles that is made of sturdy Baltic birch that can support weights of up to 600 lbs.
A simple design and high usefulness has made the transfer boards a go to option for hundreds of people around the world. The easy to clean and use technique ensures that after care is less. Choosing the right option for you is important, as the wrong transfer board might result in injuries due to falling or slipping.
