How to Safely Move a Patient or Loved One in a Wheelchair.

Moving a patient or loved one in a wheelchair is a very serious endeavor, and not something to take lightly. Anytime you are taking responsibility for another person, you must be extra careful. This article will assist you to do the task as safely as possible, and hopefully prevent you and your loved one injury. As always, my prayer for you and your loved ones is to remain healthy and safe, become wealthy, and grow wiser.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A patient or helpless loved one
• Wheelchair
• Handicapped ramp
• Somewhere to go

1. Building a handicapped ramp.
   1. The ramp will cost about $600 to $800 dollars.
   2. Some agencies will supply a ramp. Call around. Call Goodwill, and local churches. Don't give up.
   3. The specifications for the handicapped ramp should be as follows:
   a. At least four feet wide
   b. Banister as least 42 inches high.
   c. A covered ramp is a plus, not not a must.
   4. There should be one foot of length for each inch of height. For example, if the entrance door is 42 inches off the ground, the ramp needs to be 42 feet long. You may have to turn the ramp with a landing in the middle of the decline to accommodate the needed length of the ramp. Anything any steeper will be difficult for the use of a wheelchair.
2. To load a patient or loved one from a hospital bed.
   1.Set the wheelchair beside the hospital bed, near the foot end.
   2. Lock the brakes.
   3. Ask for assistance from a third party, if available.
   4. Pull the patient to a sitting position.
   5. Pull the patient forward.
   6. Lock your arms under the patients arm pits.
   7. Pull the patient forward, and place the patients legs between your knees.
   8. At the same time that you lift the patient with your arms, squeeze the patient's legs with your legs and pivot the patient to the wheelchair.
   9. Don't be hesitant to ask for assistance.
   10. The use of a hoyer lift can also be of benefit.
   11. Always take all precautions.
   12. Never do anything that you don't think you can do.
   IF THE PATIENT IS HEAVY, YOU WILL MOST DEFINITELY NEED ASSISTANCE.
3. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR TRANSPORTING PATIENT OR LOVED ONE IN WHEELCHAIR.
   1. Always keep the patient's or loved one's hands and elbows in the patient's lap.
   Getting the hands or elbows in contact with the spokes or wheels of a wheelchair can be very dangerous.
   2. When moving the patient or loved one in a wheelchair, you need two sets of eyes. Most mothers are made this way, and it becomes second nature. But the patient or loved one must be watched closely. Elbows and hands can be banged up against walls and corners, or furniture, and cause horrible injuries for the helpless patient. A careless person has no business performing any type of care for another person.
   3. When transporting in a wheelchair down a ramp, also move wheelchair backwards, with you being the one to go down the ramp first. You will have better control and be able to keep the wheelchair from getting away from you.
   4. Employing the assistance of a third person to hold back on the wheelchair while going down inclines is also of great benefit in preventing injuries, to you and to your helpless loved one.
   5. When coming up a ramp, the more dependable person needs to be pushing the wheelchair up the ramp, while a third person helps by pulling the wheelchair from the front. Have this person get a firm grip on a permanent non removable wheelchair part.
   6. A wheelchair loaded with a patient or loved one can be walked up a few narrow steps by doing just that, with the assistance of a third person helping with the rocking of the wheelchair from one wheel to the other.
   7. Always keep an eye on the patient or loved one's feet as well. A toe can be broken might easily when being moved about by a second party.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are working with a patient or helpless loved one, all you attention should be directed toward the helpless loved one's care.
• Don't trust anyone else to do what you do. Others can hurt the loved one and cause horrible injuries to the patient and more heartache and work for you.
• Uneven surfaces and wheelchair do not mix very well. A wheelchair can move mighty quickly on an unleveled surface and the patient can be taken into harms way in seconds.
• Concerning the building of a handicapped ramp: Consult with local building codes to make sure your are doing everything precisely.
• To help with safety issues relating to an immobile patient: Always keep a small, simple wheelchair next to the foot of the bed for quick exists in case of a fire or other emergency. Don't place anything in, on, or around this wheelchair. This wheelchair may save your loved one's life if a fire should occur. Never remove this wheelchair from its honorable place. A motorized wheelchair is not efficient in emergencies and for quick exists. Also, have a planned way of escape, with a backup. We can't be too careful when it comes to those we love.