As a caregiver, you support your care recipient with a range of activities and care tasks. Some may be more physical than others. Research shows that caregivers are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries or discomfort related to physically demanding care tasks. For example, transferring from sitting to standing, repositioning in bed, getting dressed, or bathing. 

It’s important to use good body mechanics when supporting your care recipient’s mobility and transfers. Trualta can help. Our learning resources can give you step-by-step instructions on assisting with mobility and other care tasks while keeping yourself safe. Check if you have free access.

Gait Belts To Support Mobility & Transfers

Many caregivers report care tasks cause or worsen musculoskeletal discomfort. One of the most common of these care tasks is assisting with transfers. A transfer involves helping someone get from one position to another. For example: 

• Getting in and out of the shower
• Standing up from the toilet
• Laying down to sitting up in bed

A gait belt, also called a transfer belt, provides caregivers with a sturdy place to hold onto while helping their care recipients with mobility and transfers. They’re worn around the care recipient’s waist, at their center of gravity. They may include features like:

• A metal buckle or plastic buckle
• Strong handles for gripping
• Padding

Holding onto the belt allows caregivers to steady their care recipients who may lose their balance or be at risk for falls. Gait belts can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to caregivers when lifting or supporting part of a care recipient’s weight. They also help reduce the risk of falls for care recipients.

10 Steps For Safely Using A Gait Belt

Before you use a gait belt, talk to a nurse, occupational therapist (OT), or physical therapist (PT). These healthcare professionals are experts in assessing a patient’s mobility and safety. They can tell you if a gait belt is appropriate for your care recipient’s mobility needs or if another device would be a safer option. They can also train you on how to use a gait belt safely, use good body mechanics, and avoid any common mistakes.

Specific instructions may vary depending on the type of belt you use. Some look like regular belts, while others are sturdier, larger, and have handles. Generally, you can use these steps to safely use a gait belt with your care recipient:

1. Use good communication throughout. Start by telling your care recipient what you’ll be doing and get consent. Continue to give them instructions or tell them what’s about to happen. This helps you understand each other and move in sync.
2. Support your care recipient to sit at the edge of the bed or chair. Place the belt around their abdomen, close to their hips, over top of their clothes. Don’t place it around their waist or directly onto their skin.
3. Fasten the belt buckle and adjust it so that it’s not too tight or too loose. It should be snug enough so that you can fit two fingers between your care recipient’s body and the belt. Ensure the buckle is slightly off-center to support their comfort. 
4. Prepare positioning and equipment. Ensure your care recipient’s feet are flat on the floor and that their mobility equipment is in front of them. Tell them not to pull on their equipment (or you) as they move to stand. 
5. Use good body mechanics. If they require assistance to stand, place one hand on the gait belt using an underhand grip. The other hand can be placed on the person’s back (not under their arms) for additional support if needed. Keep your knees bent and back straight while supporting them through the transfer. Don’t lift them using the belt–just use it to guide them.
6. Use an underhand grip on the belt or handles. It reduces your risk of injury and provides a stronger hold.
7. Transfer onto their stronger side. For example, if one side of your care recipient’s body has sustained an injury or has been affected by a stroke. Encourage them to use their stronger leg and arm to assist, while you provide guidance and support.
8. Once standing, check in with your care recipient. Ask how the belt feels or if they’re experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, or pain. If yes, support them to sit back down. 
9. Hold onto the belt or handles as you walk beside them, guiding them. 
10. Keep your body as close to theirs as possible while helping them transfer or move. This helps avoid reaching and can help prevent injury or strain on your body.

If your care recipient starts to fall, don’t attempt to pull them back up with the gait belt. Instead, use the gait belt to safely guide them to the floor in a controlled manner. Don’t try to stop a fall by pulling them upright. This is a common mistake that results in injury.

Looking for more information about mobility, transfers, or other caregiving challenges? Trualta’s library of resources and caregiver community can help. Check if you have free access. 

References: 

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3964150/#S24 
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6907170/ 
3. https://www.rehabmart.com/post/transfer-belts-vests-choosing-the-best-for-your-needs?srsltid=AfmBOopBI9mmIy0oqoStRNRMyAOiJE0JBvnCxx3yT4qWVj9M5GjFndGp 
4. https://www.securesafetysolutions.com/gait-belts-what-are-they-and-how-to-use-a-gait-belt-effectively/?srsltid=AfmBOooRQWJqRn8SzAVMIp_Yss–Cu8dGLz3VKbsYh3gAOZlWYNeO_qh 
5. https://www.medline.com/strategies/safe-mobility/gait-belt-option-tips/ 
6. https://www.performancehealth.com/articles/gait-belts-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-effectively?srsltid=AfmBOopRE_z3nb33xqtW_CI1dtMhzfVZm5Mxpfw7VNQckYT1K0jCw_e4 
7. https://www.worksafenb.ca/media/1783/transferdist-1.pdf