Transfer—Wheelchair to Toilet

If your loved one will use a wheelchair, you need to know about transfers. For safety’s sake, learn how to help your loved one in and out of the wheelchair. One basic method is shown here.

1  Stand the person up:

• Lock the wheelchair.

• Be sure the person’s feet are under his or her body.

• Grasp the back of a belt or pants and lift.

2  Move them onto the toilet:

• Keep the person’s weaker knee between your legs.

• Pivot the person around in front of the toilet. Always transfer toward the person’s stronger side.

• Gently sit the patient down onto the toilet.

• Help the patient adjust his or her clothing.

• Never pull on the person’s weaker arm or lift the person by the armpits.

Important safety tips

Lifting a person can be hard on your back. To reduce the risk of a back injury, remember to do the following:

• Organize the steps in your head before you move.

• Explain the steps of the move and ask the person to tell you when they are ready to transfer.

• Keep the person close to you.

• Keep your knees bent and your back straight.

• Use a transfer belt to provide a firm hold, rather than clasping your hands behind the person’s back

• Get help when you need it.

• Ask to practice with supervision