How to lift someone with dementia? A guide for safe, stress-free transfers

Approximately 1 in 4 seniors falls at least once a year, with the risk being even higher for those with dementia. Learning how to lift someone with dementia safely is a crucial skill for caregivers, protecting both their loved one from injury and themselves from strain.

Quick Summary

This guide provides essential information and practical steps for safely lifting and transferring an individual with dementia, including what to do after a fall. It covers techniques for moving from a bed or chair, using assistive devices like gait belts, and when to seek professional help.

Key Points

• Use a Gait Belt: A gait belt is a crucial tool for safely assisting transfers and guiding movement, providing a secure grip while protecting both the caregiver and the person with dementia.

• Prioritize Proper Body Mechanics: Always bend your knees and lift with your legs, keeping the person close to your body and avoiding twisting your back to prevent caregiver injury.

• Assess for Injury After a Fall: If a fall occurs, remain calm and check for any injuries before attempting to move the person. Call for emergency medical assistance if a serious injury is suspected.

• Communicate Clearly and Calmly: Use simple, reassuring language and maintain eye contact to help the person understand and cooperate during the transfer process.

• Consider Mechanical Lifts for Immobile Individuals: For those with limited or no weight-bearing capacity, mechanical lifts like a Hoyer lift offer the safest option for transfers.

• Enhance Home Safety: Reduce the risk of falls by removing clutter, securing rugs, and improving lighting and visibility within the home environment.

• Know When to Seek Help: If transfers become consistently difficult, unsafe, or lead to agitation, consult healthcare professionals or consider memory care for specialized assistance.

Essential Preparations Before Lifting

Before any transfer, proper preparation is key to ensuring the safety of both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Creating a calm, clutter-free environment and using clear communication are critical steps.

Environment and Communication

• Clear the path: Remove any potential obstacles, such as throw rugs, electrical cords, and excess furniture from the transfer path.
• Check footwear: Ensure the person is wearing well-fitting, non-skid shoes or socks to prevent slips.
• Communicate clearly: Explain each step of the process using simple, direct language. Maintain eye contact and a reassuring tone to minimize confusion and agitation.
• Adjust for visibility: For individuals with visual-spatial issues, use contrasting colors to help define surfaces. For example, a brightly colored plate on a plain table helps differentiate the items.

Safely Lifting from a Chair or Bed

When lifting or transferring, proper body mechanics are essential to prevent back strain. Always lift with your legs, not your back, keeping the person close to your body.

Step-by-step transfer technique:

1. Preparation: Position the destination (e.g., wheelchair) as close as possible to the person, and lock the wheels.
2. Positioning: Stand or squat directly in front of the person, placing your feet shoulder-width apart with a staggered stance for stability.
3. Secure Grip: If using a gait belt, wrap it snugly around the person's waist, just above the hips. Grasp the belt from the sides or back. If no belt, place your arms around their mid-back.
4. Initiate the Lift: On a count of three, have the person lean forward. As they push with their legs (if able), you lift with your leg muscles, shifting your weight back to stand up straight.
5. Pivot and Lower: Keep the person close as you pivot your feet toward the destination. Do not twist at your waist. Bend your knees to lower them gently into the chair or bed until they are fully seated.

Using Assistive Devices and Equipment

Assistive devices can significantly reduce the physical demands of caregiving and increase safety.

Comparison Table: Assistive Lifting Devices

Device	Description	Best For	Considerations
Gait Belt	A sturdy belt with handles, worn around the waist.	Transfers from bed, chair, or toilet; assisting with walking.	Requires some strength from the person. Can't be used if they have abdominal pain or tubes.
Hoyer Lift (Sling Lift)	An electric or manual machine with a sling for lifting completely immobile individuals.	Moving between bed, wheelchair, and toilet for individuals with limited or no weight-bearing capacity.	Requires space and training to operate. Can feel intimidating to some.
Transfer Board	A smooth, flat board used to slide a person between two surfaces.	Transfers between a bed and wheelchair for individuals who can bear some weight.	Cannot be used on uneven surfaces. Requires upper body strength from the individual.
Stand-Assist Lift	A device that helps an individual move from a seated to a standing position.	Transfers for individuals who can bear some weight on their legs but need assistance to stand.	Still requires coordination and ability to follow instructions from the individual.

What to Do When a Person Falls

If a person with dementia falls, your first actions are critical. Do not rush to lift them.

Steps to take after a fall:

1. Assess the Situation: Remain calm and check for injuries. Ask if they are in pain, or look for signs of pain on their face or body.
2. Call for Help: If there is any sign of serious injury, confusion, or you cannot lift them safely, call 911 or emergency services immediately.
3. Check for Injuries: If no serious injuries are suspected, proceed slowly. Guide them to roll onto their side, then into a kneeling position near a sturdy chair.
4. Stand with Support: Assist them using the chair and a gait belt if possible. Guide them to a partial standing position and then help them sit down to rest.
5. Re-assess: Once they are seated, check for any new signs of injury or discomfort. Contact their doctor to report the fall, even if no major injuries occurred.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Dignity and Safety

Caregivers for individuals with dementia often face the challenging task of physical transfers and lifting. By prioritizing safety through proper technique, clear communication, and the use of appropriate assistive devices like gait belts, the process can be managed more effectively and with less stress. A fall should always be handled with caution and a careful assessment, with emergency services contacted for any suspected serious injury. This mindful approach not only protects both parties from physical harm but also helps maintain the dignity and trust of the person with dementia throughout their care journey. Protecting your own health as a caregiver is just as important as protecting the person you care for; never attempt a lift that feels unsafe.

Resources for Caregivers: The Alzheimer's Foundation of America offers resources on fall prevention and safe caregiving techniques. For personalized guidance on using specific equipment or handling complex transfers, consult with a physical or occupational therapist.

Important Considerations

• Progressive Needs: As dementia progresses, a person's mobility and strength will likely decline, requiring adjustments to lifting techniques and equipment.
• Behavioral Shifts: Individuals with dementia may become resistant or confused during transfers due to fear or misunderstanding. Patience and reassurance are vital to de-escalate these moments.
• Professional Guidance: Healthcare providers can offer a comprehensive evaluation of mobility challenges and recommend the safest solutions.

When to Re-evaluate

Repeatedly struggling with transfers or lifting, increased agitation during moves, and a loved one refusing assistance are signs that it may be time to seek more professional or facility-based care. Listening to these cues protects everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to lift someone with dementia from the floor after a fall?

First, check for injuries and ensure the person is not seriously hurt. If they seem okay, place a sturdy chair nearby. Guide them to roll onto their side, then help them into a kneeling position using the chair for support. From this position, help them use the chair to stand up slowly and carefully.

How can I transfer someone with dementia from a bed to a wheelchair?

Position the wheelchair close to the bed at a 45-degree angle with the brakes locked. Use a gait belt for a secure grip. Help the person sit on the edge of the bed, then stand in front of them with a staggered stance. Lift with your legs as they lean forward, pivot toward the wheelchair, and lower them slowly into the seat.

Are there special communication techniques for lifting a person with dementia?

Yes. Use simple, direct language and avoid complex commands. Maintain a calm and reassuring tone of voice. Gaining their attention and explaining each step as you go can help reduce anxiety and increase cooperation.

What is a gait belt and how do you use it?

A gait belt is a safety device used to help with transfers and ambulation. It is placed snugly around the person's waist over their clothing, with the buckle positioned off-center. The caregiver grasps the belt's handles to assist with lifting, balancing, and moving the person.

When should I use a mechanical lift instead of a manual lift?

A mechanical lift, such as a Hoyer lift, should be used for individuals who are too heavy to lift safely, have limited or no weight-bearing capacity, or are fully immobile. This prevents injury to both the caregiver and the person being moved.

How can I prevent falls for a person with dementia?

Prevention includes removing clutter and throw rugs, ensuring adequate and glare-free lighting, using non-slip footwear, and installing grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on stairs. Regular exercise, medication reviews, and attentive supervision also help.

What are the signs that I should get professional help for lifting a person with dementia?

You should seek professional help if transfers are becoming consistently difficult, unsafe, or painful for you or the person. Increased agitation, resistance to care, or frequent falls are also indicators that specialized assistance may be necessary.