Standing and transfer aids

Standing and transfer aids are essential for supporting people with stiff joints or restricted mobility who might need support when rising from a bed or chair or whose carers might need assistance when helping the person transfer between the two. In this blog, we will discuss all the types of stand aids you can find at Complete Care Shop, as well as standing aids for seniors and sitting-to-standing aids. 

Standing aids

A standing aid requires a certain amount of upper body strength to use, and it is designed to help the user rise from a bed, chair, wheelchair, toilet, or shower chair without significant assistance. With standing aids for seniors and sitting-to-standing aids available, you can have constant support whenever you need to move from the comfort of a chair or bed to the toilet or shower. 

Types of stand aids

Examples of standing aids include bed rails and canes, which provide a secure point of support; free-standing lifting poles with hanging handles; and floor-to-ceiling adjustable poles that can be fitted almost anywhere in the house. 

There are also carer-assisted standing aids that often use a combination of leverage and hydraulics to facilitate the process of helping an individual stand. Useful for people with limited upper body strength, they generally comprise a manoeuvrable, mobile frame fitted with pads, armrests, and attachments for a sling. They provide excellent security for the user, making life considerably more manageable and less strenuous for the carer. Usually, models are fitted with electric motors, which minimise the required physical effort.

Transfer aids

There are many transfer aids to help make moving from various supports, such as wheelchairs or seats, to the toilet or shower easier. Transfer aids are very useful when getting into or out of a car, but they can also assist with wheelchair transfers. 

Types of transfer aid

Turntables are devices that help a carer turn someone around on the spot. If the person can stand, a turntable may be particularly useful when transferring from a chair to a bed, wheelchair, or toilet, but there are also turntables designed to be used in a sitting position. Turntables range from simple but effective, lightweight fabric discs to precision-engineered patient turners, which use leverage and castor wheels to enable safe, secure transfers with minimal effort.

In addition to turntables, there are also various small and inexpensive transfer aids and accessories available, such as transfer steps, grab rails, and support handles that attach to car doors. Glide sheets help carers move an individual into a bed or chair, and handling belts make it easier to hold the individual safely during transfers.

Considerations for standing and transfer aids

The following are some questions you might like to ask when choosing a standing or transfer aid:

• Capability - How independent and physically strong is the user? Aids such as patient turners and carer-assisted devices may be unnecessary if the individual is still relatively independent. Of course, they can only be used when the carer is present. On the other hand, if the user is highly dependent on his or her carer, then ordinary transfer aids might not suffice, and it might be more prudent to consider a more sophisticated patient hoist and sling.
• Strength - is it strong enough to take the intended user's weight?
• Safety - make sure that products such as grab rails and standing poles are securely fixed to prevent the risk of slipping
• Adjustability - for safety and comfort, ensure that any standing or turning aid is the right size
• Portability - can the system be easily packed away and is it light enough to take on holiday?

Find standing and transfer aids at Complete Care Shop

You can find a huge selection of standing and transfer aids at Complete Care Shop. Browse standing aids for seniors and a wide selection of living aids designed to make your day-to-day life easier. For any help and advice, check out our stories and expert advice service, perfect for helping guide you to the right standing or transfer aids for your home. 

If you have any questions about our sitting to standing aids or other daily living aids, please contact us, and one of our Occupational Therapists will be happy to help.