What is a Transfer Belt and what does it do?
Transfer belts are assistive devices That are used by caregivers during transfers of a patient from bed to wheelchair or commode/bath and while walking. A transfer belt used to assist a patient or an older adult when out for a supervised walk is generally referred to as a gait belt. These are belts to help lift the elderly and frail with minimum strain on the caregiver. At Health Products For You, you will find a whole variety of gait and transfer belts in different designs and styles, like padded, pastel stripes, stars and stripes, wipeable, multi-handle, two-handle, heavy-duty, and more.
When to use a Transfer Belt?
- A gait belt or transfer belt is required to transfer or ambulate impaired mobility or frail and elderly patients.
- The patient is at risk of losing his/her balance and slipping and falling. At the same time, this also exposes the caregiver to injuries and back strains. Use of the belt is beneficial when the patient is minimally dependent, average weight-bearing capacity, co-operative, and responsive to instructions.
- A gait and transfer belt minimizes these risks and allows for smooth and safe transfers.
- When a transfer belt is placed around the patient's waist, it provides the caregiver a secure hold allowing him/her to move the person from one spot to another safely.
- The belt may have a handle for the caregiver to grasp and steady the patient quickly. Or he/she may place a hand under the transfer belt and hold on to the patient.
What are the advantages of a Gait Belt?
- The correct use of the gait and transfer belt can reduce the struggles associated with transferring a patient and reduce back injury risk.
- If the patient is heavy or frail, the lifting technique has to be proper irrespective of the caregiver’s strength. Constant bending and lifting can take a toll on the caregiver’s back. Transfer belts transfer a person from the bed to a wheelchair safer and assist with sitting and standing.
- When the patient is on walk, the caregiver can tie the belt around his/her waist and holds to the handle if needed.
- This instills confidence in the patient who can walk around unassisted secure, knowing that the caregiver will provide support whenever needed.
Types of Gait And Transfer Belts
Gait and transfer belts are padded for comfort. The caregiver may keep it around his/her waist all the time for easy access whenever it needs to be placed around the patient’s waist. Generally, a gait belt or transfer belt has a width between 1.5”-4” and length between 54”-60”. It is made of nylon, canvas or leather. There is a buckle at one end for the caregiver to hold on to. The buckle may be plastic, nickel-plated, with airline-style securing or metal buckle with loops and teeth for secure fastening.
What are the advantages of a Gait Belt?
- Put the belt around the individual's abdomen over his apparel with the lock in front.
- String the belt through the teeth of the clasp. Put the strap through the other two loops to lock it.
- Be sure the belt is cozy with barely sufficient space to get your fingers under it.
- On the off chance that conceivable, the individual should be urged to push down on the seat or bed while you lean forward and handle the belt on the two sides. The individual should be held at the midriff rather than the arms or shoulders.
- Lift or move the individual with your arm and leg muscles. Try not to utilize your back muscles.
- Try not to turn your body when you move or lift the individual.
- At the point when you are finished moving or strolling with the individual, eliminate the step belt.
Where to buy the Best Transfer Belt online?
At Health Products For You, you will find a whole variety of gait and transfer belts in different designs and styles, like padded, pastel stripes, stars and stripes, wipeable, multi-handle, two-handle, heavy duty and more. There are transfer belts with handles and without handles. Best manufacturers of gait and transfer belts are featured here like Posey, Patterson Medical, Humane Restraint Co., Skil Care Corp, Medline Industries, Essential Medical and many more.
Research/ Articles on Gait Transfer Belts
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Using a gait belt while transferring or walking a patient provides the care giver and the patient increased safety and security. The caregiver can control a patient’s balance and keep the patient from falling with the help of a gait belt. It also decreases the chances of hurting your back.
- With the patient in a seated position, place the gait belt snugly at the patient’s.
- Fasten the buckle in front of the patient. The belt must be tied such that there is just enough room to get your fingers under the belt.
- When positioned correctly, the belt will be between the bottom of the patient’s rib cage and the top of the pelvis.
- The belt may loosen when the patient stands up, so be sure to tighten it again before further activity.
Be sure to use proper body mechanics to decrease the chance of hurting your back:
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles to protect your back
- Lift using your leg muscles. Do not use your back muscles.
- Do not twist your body while moving or lifting a patient.
A gait belt must not be placed on the abdomen in case of:
- Recent abdominal surgery or back surgery with a healing or tender incision
- Pregnancy
- Umbilical or inguinal hernia
- PEG tube
- Colostomy or ileostomy
Place the gait belt higher on the trunk at the level of the armpits. It still needs to be snug and may need to be tightened when the patient stands. If the patient is female, be sure it is not over her breasts.
You can minimize the risk of falling by using gait/transfer belts with handles that permit the safe assist of a person who retains some weight-bearing capacity. Raising and lowering a patient becomes much easier with these walking belts and gait belts for patient mobility.
