About this topic
A sliding board is a tool to help you move from sitting in one place to another. You may want to use it if you have trouble using your legs to help you move. A sliding board can help bridge the gap between the two surfaces. The boards are often thin and made of wood or plastic. They are about 8 inches (20 cm) wide and about 2 feet (0.6 meters) long. You may use one when you get into or out of a bed, car, or wheelchair. ‚
Using a sliding board may help you in a few ways. You may: ‚
- Be able to transfer by yourself or with only a little help from someone else.
- Need less upper body strength to use a sliding board than some other kind of transfer.
- Be able to move more slowly and safely from one surface to another.
General
- At first, you may need help. Later, you may be able to do this without another person. If you have a gait belt, this may assist your helper in moving you.
- Be careful not to pinch your fingers when you lay the sliding board down.
- Make sure your skin is covered when using the sliding board. This will keep your skin from getting pinched or torn and it will also make it easier to slide. You may want to place a sheet on the sliding board.
- Tips to keep you safe and make using the sliding board easier:
- If another person is helping with the transfer, put a gait belt around your waist.
- If you are moving into or out of a wheelchair, be sure the brakes are locked and footrests are moved out of the way.
- If the bed or chair can be raised or lowered, be sure to use this feature. It is easier to move from a higher surface to a slightly lower one.
- It is easier to move towards your strongest side. Position yourself before getting started.
- Place your hands in fists to give you more support when you transfer.
- Tips for the person helping you move.
- Have a plan for how you are going to do the transfer. Talk it over with the person you are moving. This way you both know what to expect.
- Do not try to move someone heavier than yourself unless you have had proper training.
- Be sure you give the person you are helping enough room to move while still giving support.
- Use proper body mechanics. This will help you protect your back from injury. This means you should:
- Bend at the knees, not at your waist.
- Keep your feet flat and spread your legs shoulder width apart instead of close together. This helps give you a sturdy base of support.
- Avoid any quick, twisting movements. If you are helping someone to turn, move your feet rather than twisting at the waist.
- Keep your back as straight as possible.
- Avoid bending your head forward as you stand or transfer.
- Moving from a wheelchair to a bed or other chair by yourself:
- Put your wheelchair close to the bed or other chair at a 30 to 45 degree angle. If you have a stronger side, put your stronger side towards where you are moving. Lock the brakes on the wheelchair. Remove leg rests or swing them out of the way. Lift up the armrest on the side closest to where you are transferring.
- Grab the sliding board. Lean away from where you are moving to and wedge the board under your hip closest to the bed or chair. This should be at a slight angle. Slowly lean back and make sure the board is flat on the wheelchair and bed or other chair. Take care not to pinch your fingers.
- Shift your weight back and forth and push with your arms. This will help you slowly start to slide or scoot across the board. Use slow, careful movements to go from the wheelchair to the bed or other chair. When you are fully on the bed or other chair, lean away from the board and pull it out from underneath you.
- Moving from a wheelchair to bed or other chair with a helper:
- Use the steps above to put the wheelchair and sliding board in place.
- You may want to wear a gait belt to make it easier for the helper to assist.
- Have your helper stand in front of you, knee to knee. This will help keep you from sliding too far forward. Have your helper grab onto your belt and help scoot you along the sliding board.
Where can I learn more?
Muscular Dystrophy Association ‚
http://mda.org/publications/everyday-life-als/chapter-7 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚