Your care recipient’s safety is a top priority. However, it’s easy for caregivers to neglect their own safety when engaging in care tasks, resulting in risk for injuries to both of you. It’s important to understand proper body mechanics and know how to use devices that support your safety. Trualta’s educational resources can help you learn and apply these skills. Check if you have free access. 

How A Gait Belt Can Help

If your care recipient needs assistance with their mobility or is partially dependent on you for stability or balance, they may benefit from a gait belt. This can support their safety. A gait belt, sometimes called a “transfer belt”, fastens around your care recipient’s waist like a regular belt. The belt gives the caregiver a place to hold and provide stability to their care recipient during activities like: 

• Transferring between positions. For example, from lying down to sitting up. 
• Mobilizing. For example, while your care recipient walks with a walker.
• Performing daily activities. For example, getting dressed.

Just like how every patient is different, not all gait belts are the same. It’s important to choose one that meets your care recipient’s needs.

5 Tips For Choosing A Gait Belt

It’s important to talk to a nurse, occupational therapist (OT), or physical therapist (PT) before using a gait belt, transfer belt, or related products with your care recipient. These professionals can assess the mobility, cognition, and safety of a patient–which all play a role in what mobility devices they can use. They can help you figure out which type of gait belt suits their needs or if it would be safer to use a different device. In some cases, it may not be safe or recommended to use a gait belt. 

Once you’ve gotten the ok from a qualified healthcare professional, use these tips to help you figure out what kind of gait belt to use with your care recipient. 

1. Handles vs. no handles. While some gait belt styles look like simple belts, they can still provide caregivers with a sturdy grip. Choosing one with handles can give you additional stability and convenience. Most of these options have multiple handles in both horizontal and vertical positions to help with various movements.
2. Opt for strong, easy-to-clean material. Gait belts come in cotton, nylon, and plastic. In case the belt becomes soiled or dirty over time, it’s important to choose a material that’s easy to clean. 
3. Consider your care recipient’s size. Wearing the right size gait belt helps it stay secure while it’s worn. It should fit snugly around your care recipient’s waist without being too tight or too loose. While gait belts are meant to be long and adjustable, they do come in different sizes and thicknesses. For example:
   • Small/Pediatric (48-54 inches)
   • Standard (55-60 inches)
   • Long/Bariatric (61-100 inches)
4. Consider the buckle. There are 2 main types of buckles:
   • A metal buckle attaches to the cloth on the buckle and ensures the belt stays in place but allows easy adjustments if needed. These buckles are not recommended to patients who may be at risk of harming themselves or others, as the metal could cause injury. 
   • A plastic buckle is easy to fasten and release, as well as adjust. They can either be spring-loaded or quick-release. 
5. Consider comfort. Some gait belts are padded, offering your care recipient additional comfort during mobility and transfers. They may find some materials more comfortable than others.

Looking for more information on how to help your loved one with activities of daily living? Check if you have free access to Trualta. 

References

1. https://www.performancehealth.com/articles/gait-belts-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-effectively?srsltid=AfmBOopRE_z3nb33xqtW_CI1dtMhzfVZm5Mxpfw7VNQckYT1K0jCw_e4 
2. https://www.rehabmart.com/post/transfer-belts-vests-choosing-the-best-for-your-needs?srsltid=AfmBOopBI9mmIy0oqoStRNRMyAOiJE0JBvnCxx3yT4qWVj9M5GjFndGp 
3. https://www.medline.com/strategies/safe-mobility/gait-belt-option-tips/ 
4. https://www.alimed.com/the-importance-of-gait-belts-for-safe-patient-handling-blog/#:~:text=Gait%20belts%20enable%20caregivers%20to,to%20the%20patient%20during%20transfers. 
5. https://www.performancehealth.ca/gait-belts-sammons-preston 
6. https://www.performancehealth.ca/bariatric-gait-belt 
7. https://www.orthocanada.com/en/padded-gait-belt 
8. https://www.securesafetysolutions.com/gait-belts-what-are-they-and-how-to-use-a-gait-belt-effectively/?srsltid=AfmBOooRQWJqRn8SzAVMIp_Yss–Cu8dGLz3VKbsYh3gAOZlWYNeO_qh