How to help an elderly person up from a chair safely

Many older adults living with mobility issues struggle to stand from a seated position without assistance. If you need to help an elderly person stand up, it's important to learn how to do so correctly. Otherwise, you may risk injuring either yourself or your loved one in the process. 

In this guide, we'll discuss how to help an elderly person up from a chair safely using proper lifting techniques. We'll also explore some useful seating aids that could help make the process easier for everyone involved.  

Preparing to help an elderly person stand up

Before attempting to help an elderly person rise from a chair, there are some important preparation steps you should take:

• Clear the area: Make a clear space around the chair and in the walking path. You’ll need room in front of the chair and beside it, so you can position yourself safely to help the person up. Remove any tripping hazards like rugs or cables.
• Wear proper footwear: Don't attempt to assist an elderly person to stand while wearing slippery shoes or socks. Both you and your loved one should wear shoes with good grip to help reduce the risk of falls.
• Check the chair: Make sure the chair is stable and won't move, tip or roll during the transfer. If it has wheels or castors, check that they are locked.

The best type of chair for assisting someone to stand is a firm, high chair with sturdy armrests. Rise and recline chairs can also help. These feature a motorised mechanism that lifts and tilts the chair, guiding the person closer to a standing position.

Getting into position

Proper positioning is important for both yourself and the person you’re assisting. Not only will it help make the process easier, but it will also help reduce the risk of strain, injuries and falls. 

Start by asking your loved one to hold onto the armrests and scoot or wriggle forwards, towards the front edge of the chair. If they find this difficult, you can place a glide and slide sheet on the chair. This way, you can help ease them forwards in the chair by gently pulling on the sheet. Don’t forget to remove the slide sheet following this.

Once they are sitting as far forwards in the chair as possible, have them sit with their legs hip-width apart. Their feet should be flat on the floor, level with or just behind their knees. 

Position yourself next to the chair, facing forwards (the same direction your loved one is facing). Place one foot slightly in front of the other in a step stance, with your knees bent and back straight. 

Ready, steady, stand

When you’re both in position, you’re ready to help your elderly loved one get up from the chair. The safest way to do this is to place one hand flat on their back, just below their shoulder blades. 

If they need a little more assistance, place your hand on their lower back, with your shoulder roughly in line with theirs. You can also place your other hand on their chest to help steady them as they stand.

Next, tell the person that you are going to say “ready, steady, stand”. On “stand”, have them push themselves up out of the chair while you support their back. Move with them, guiding them forwards and up into a standing position.

Optionally, you can also introduce a gentle rocking motion on “ready” and “steady”. This can help create momentum to make it easier for them to stand.

As you both stand, keep supporting the person’s back, maintaining your step stance so that you don’t lose your balance.

Tips for preventing injury

It’s crucial to practise proper body mechanics when assisting an elderly person to stand from a chair. Improper lifting techniques could result in injuries to you or your loved one. To help keep you both safe, follow these tips:

• Keep your head, neck and toes aligned with your spine, and avoid twisting your body
• Bend at your hips and knees, using your leg muscles rather than your back
• Keep your feet apart to maintain balance
• Get as close to the person as possible for better leverage
• Never pull someone up by their arms or armpits – this could cause a shoulder injury, such as dislocation
• Never attempt to lift someone by having them put their arms around your neck, or ‘hugging’ them around the middle – this could strain your back or neck

If you are unable to safely support your loved one into a standing position on your own, have someone help you. It may also be worth looking into specialist seating aids designed to make rising from a chair easier.

Seating aids

Seating aids can help make life easier for both caregivers and elderly individuals who find sitting and standing difficult. There are many types of aids available, all of which offer a different level of assistance and support. Some of the most popular include:

• Chair raisers: Devices that are placed under the legs of furniture to elevate the entire chair several inches off the ground. A higher chair puts less strain on the legs and back, making standing easier.
• Booster cushions: These firm yet comfortable cushions can be placed on any chair to reduce the distance between the person and the seat.
• Powered lifting cushions: These provide a gentle boost up from the seated position, supporting the person’s body weight as they stand. Some feature hydro-pneumatic spring mechanisms, while others inflate with air at the touch of a button.
• Handling belts: These can provide good support for getting out of a chair, enabling a safe and more comfortable transfer, without having to lift someone by the limbs or hold them in an unsafe or uncomfortable position.

Visit the Complete Care Shop website to browse a wide range of seating aids, transfer aids and more. For more information or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.