How to Use a Gait Belt

Gait belt is a safety instrument which is used by the helpers and the caregivers to make sure that they can easily move the person being assisted from one place to the other. The gait belt helps in having a proper grip. This is a much better thing than holding the elderly person’s arms or using the person’s clothes to get a grip. This is mostly needed by persons who are too weak to walk or they need help when they want to get up from the bed or the chair. This gait belt can be found at the regular medical supply stores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. The first step is to make sure that you tell the elderly person about the intended use of the gait belt. Let him or her know that this belt is to be used for the transferring or for getting him out of the wheelchair onto the bed.

2. Now take the belt and put it over the clothing and adjust so that buckle is right at the front. Make sure that buckle does not hurt the patient. Be extra careful with the females and do not put it over the breasts

3. Take the belt through the teeth of the buckle and then use the extra openings to lock the belt.

4. Now slip your finders underneath the belt at the waist of the elderly person. You should be able to easily slide the fingers.

5. Ask the elderly if the belt is hurting him when you get the fingers underneath the belt to get a grip. Tug the belt a little and ask again if the belt hurts.

Tips & Warnings

• As a caregiver be patient while handling the belt initially as the elderly persons will take time to get used to the gait belt.
• If the person is uncomfortable using the gait belt then it is better not to use it as it can cause other issues like pain and stress.