Joint project with

Mobilising the dependent person

Reading time: 4 min

Preparation of the environment

Accompanying while walking

This can be done in various ways:

Place yourself to one side of the elderly person (on the other side of a walking stick, if used), take his or her hand in your far hand and place your other hand around the waist or shoulder. You simply walk with the person, by his or her side
Place yourself in front, and place your forearms under the person’s arms, for him or her to hold on to. Your arms will guide and control the other person’s steps
If the person tends to lean backwards, place yourself behind. Place your arms under the person’s armpits
Remember that there are devices that can be very helpful for added safety

Turning a person in bed:

Towards the edge of the bed:

From bed to chair:

Bring the chair close to the bed and ensure it is secure
Stand on one side of the bed
Separate the person’s arm closer to you or fold it over the person’s chest
Bring their far leg over on top of the other
Place one hand on the person’s shoulder blade and the other on the far knee
Begin to move and change direction, bending your legs and blocking the person’s legs with yours
Stabilise the person by pushing the knees down to rest his or her feet on the floor
Hold by the waist, lift and turn on the fixed leg
Stability is key: hold on to something if necessary

Positioning in the chair:

Ask the individual to fold his or her arms over the belly and lean forward
From behind, take hold of the person’s arms and pull back, until his or her bottom touches the back of the chair

Transfer from sitting to sitting:

Remove barriers, avoid rugs and uneven flooring, and ensure the room is well lit
Prevent postural hypotension. Do not lift the person directly from the bed to the upright position. It is better to remain seated for around five minutes, before bringing the person upright
Take exercise within his or her possibilities
Try to complete activities without rushing
Optimise the person’s mobility by using devices and adapting the house with the right fittings and tools, such as bars and rails
Optimise when medication is taken
Use closed footwear, with a flat heel, and avoid inappropriate clothing (e.g. overly long trousers) that makes it harder to walk or easy to trip over
Appropriate height of the bed, chairs, WC, etc.
Keep the house tidy, as this makes it safer
Use spectacles and hearing aids when awake
Prevent toilet emergencies as far as possible
When getting up, use the stronger side of the body
If the person needs help or a particular device to walk, such as canes or a frame, check to ensure they are in good condition and that they are used properly

the following recommendations can be followed to help lift him or her back up:

Ensure that the person is not injured, asking if he or she is all right
Assess whether or not to call for help
If the person is not injured, ask if he or she can get up
If the person is unable to move with a little help, it is unlikely that you will be able to lift him or her by yourself. Try asking for help

It can be done in two ways:

Have the person sit with his or her legs bent and feet together. Hold beneath the armpits and lift up
Place the person on one side so as to go on all fours, by bending a leg and pushing up with the elbow on the floor. Bring the stronger leg forward, with the knee still on the floor, and lift up using both arms and legs

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