Gait Belt Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
Adding a new assistive device to your care recipient’s routine takes some getting used to. You may have to adjust to:
- Remembering when they have to use them
- Reminding your care recipient to use them (or explaining what they’re for)
- Knowing how to use them properly and safely
- Adapting your home or routine to accommodate the device
- Cleaning and maintaining them
At Trualta, we know that caregiving feels like a constant state of adjustment. Our educational resources and caregiver community can help smooth this transition and support your confidence in using new equipment or devices. Check if you have free access.
Incorporating A Gait Belt
Your care recipient’s healthcare team might recommend that they wear a gait belt during certain activities or movements. A gait belt, also called a transfer belt, fastens around your care recipient’s waist with a metal buckle or plastic buckle. Some models have handles that allow the caregiver to get a good grip. The belt allows caregivers to get a stable hold on their care recipient while supporting with:
- Transferring between positions. For example, sitting to standing.
- Moving around. For example, while walking with a walker.
- Engaging in daily activities. For example, standing at the sink to brush their teeth.
Gait belts can be beneficial to both caregivers and their care recipients, especially for avoiding injury. However, before using a gait belt or related products for mobility, talk to an occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT), or nurse. They can assess your care recipient’s safety and mobility to determine if a gait belt meets their needs.
Avoiding 6 Common Gait Belt Mistakes
You may be thinking: my care recipient has worn a regular belt before–how hard can it be to use a transfer belt? As with any new piece of equipment, using a gait belt can take some practice. Below are 6 common mistakes you can learn about to help ease the learning curve.
1. Choosing The Wrong Size
Measure their waist to ensure you’re using the right size. If the gait belt is too tight or too loose, it may cause injury to your care recipient, increase fall risk, or not provide adequate support during transfers. It should fit snugly around their waist. You should be able to fit 2 fingers between the belt and their skin.
2. Incorrect Placement
The gait belt should be placed on your care recipient’s lower abdomen, close to their hips. A healthcare professional can help you learn to do it properly. Common positioning mistakes include:
- Placing it too high or too tight on your care recipient’s abdomen. This may cause discomfort or impact their breathing–especially for people who have respiratory conditions or lung problems. It may also cause slipping, and the belt may not work the way it should.
- Not wearing clothing under it. If there is no material between the gait belt and your care recipient’s skin, it could cause abrasion, irritation, or contribute to pressure sores. This is especially important for older adults or anyone who has fragile skin.
- Not being careful. Be mindful of a person’s body and medical devices. For example, ensure a gait belt is not sitting on top of a person’s breasts, PEG tube, or colostomy bag. Talk to your care recipient’s doctor to ensure it’s safe for them to use a transfer belt if they wear a feeding tube or abdominal apparatus.
- Placing the buckle in the center of their stomach. Placing it off-center slightly can help increase comfort.
3. Choosing The Wrong Type
Not all belts are the same. Some belts may be more basic, while others may be larger and sturdier. Ensure you’re choosing the right one to meet your care recipient’s (and your) needs.
4. Not Considering Medical Conditions
In some cases, a gait belt is not recommended:
- After some injuries or surgeries like chest trauma, lower back injury, rib or spine fractures, or abdominal trauma or surgery.
- Certain conditions like pregnancy, advanced osteoporosis, skin conditions, or inability to move independently.
- Certain challenging behaviors or other risks. For example, people prone to aggression, psychiatric distress, or suicidal behaviors may use the gait belt in ways that put themselves or others at risk for harm.
5. Not Getting Training
Helping with a person’s mobility or transfers, especially when they’re partially dependent, means practicing good body mechanics. It’s important to understand that gait belts are not designed to lift a person. Instead, they’re meant to guide and steady them. During a transfer, they can be used to help rock or gently pull the person as they move.
Although simple to use, it’s important to know how to use a gait belt properly to help avoid injuring yourself or your care recipient. Ask an OT, PT, or nurse to train you. Since gait belts can be used to help stop a fall, getting trained by a professional is especially important.
6. Not Maintaining The Gait Belt
Clean the gait belt regularly, even if your care recipient is the only one using it. Certain materials may harbor germs or bacteria more easily, which could lead you or your care recipient to get sick. You should also check it often for tearing or holes so that it’s in good working condition.
Looking for more information on mobility assistance, equipment, and other caregiving challenges? Check if you have free access to Trualta.
References
- https://www.rehabmart.com/post/transfer-belts-vests-choosing-the-best-for-your-needs?srsltid=AfmBOopBI9mmIy0oqoStRNRMyAOiJE0JBvnCxx3yT4qWVj9M5GjFndGp
- https://www.securesafetysolutions.com/gait-belts-what-are-they-and-how-to-use-a-gait-belt-effectively/?srsltid=AfmBOooRQWJqRn8SzAVMIp_Yss–Cu8dGLz3VKbsYh3gAOZlWYNeO_qh
- https://www.medline.com/strategies/safe-mobility/gait-belt-option-tips/
- https://www.otdude.com/reference-guides/proper-transfer-techniques/#Gait_Belt
- https://www.steventituslaw.com/blog/the-use-of-gait-belts-in-nursing-homes-and-how-falls-occur/#:~:text=The%20Role%20of%20Gait%20Belts,the%20resident%20and%20the%20caregiver
- 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.
- https://www.medline.com/strategies/safe-mobility/gait-belt-option-tips/
- https://www.worksafenb.ca/media/1783/transferdist-1.pdf
