How to move a patient up in bed by yourself

If you're caring for someone who is bed bound or is otherwise unable to move, you'll find that you need to lift them often, but you may be wondering how to do so safely.

LPETTET / Getty Images

Lifting a person can be hard work and you want to make sure you're protecting yourself and your loved one from an injury. Learn how to lift bed bound people in a stress-free manner with this tutorial. After you've read these tips, you should be able to carry out this process with confidence.

It takes about one to five minutes to lift a person from a bed, but the key is not to execute the task alone but to always have a "lift buddy" to help you when you're lifting. Don't attempt to lift an individual without the help of at least one other person.

Why should you get a lift buddy? Having a helper will help you protect your back from injury. It will also help protect your loved one from injury to their skin that can occur as a result of friction.

Make the lift buddy a reliable person whom you count on to be there for you and your loved one in need. It could be a spouse, a sibling, a child or another close family member or friend of the family.

Use a drawsheet to assist you. To make a drawsheet, fold a flat sheet in half lengthwise twice. Position the sheet under the person being lifted so that his entire bottom and lower to mid back are on the sheet. Learning how to change a diaper or bed sheet can help you get the drawsheet under the person easily.

Then, grab one side of the drawsheet as close to the person's body as possible and have your lift buddy do the same on the opposite side. If you have more than one person to help you, first thank your lucky stars and proceed to ask one of the helpers to hold the person's ankles and the other one to hold the patient's head.

Designate one person to count to three. On the count of three, lift the patient off the bed and up towards the top. Try to lift the person completely off the bed to prevent injury to their skin as a result of friction.

Position the patient properly to prevent them from sliding down in bed. Begin by lifting the person in bed so that her head is at the top. Then, turn the person to the side and use a pillow to place under the drawsheet at the person's back. Place another pillow between the person's knees and another to prop her arms up.

If she will stay on her back, lift the foot of the bed enough to bend her knees. Place another pillow under her ankles with the heels off the end to ease the pressure on them. Use pillows to place under the person's head and arms for comfort.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

It is necessary that the patient have use of at least one leg. If not, you will need to use a lift to transfer the patient. Also, if you are unable to support the patient by yourself do not attempt to do this because you can injure both yourself and the patient.

Wear non-skid shoes and have the patient also in non-skid shoes or socks to reduce the risk of falling. Also clear the area of loose rugs, and secure tubing from oxygen. Be sure to explain the directions to the patient before attempting and repeat each step before you proceed.

Put the wheelchair next to the bed. Be sure to lock the brakes and move the foot rests out of the way. (Follow this procedure as well for moving to chair or portable toilet)

To assist patient into a seated position, roll the patient onto the same side as the wheelchair. Put one of your arms under the patient's shoulders and one behind the knees. Bend your knees while you lift and swing the patient's feet off the edge of the bed and use the momentum to help the patient into a sitting position. Move the patient to the edge of the bed and lower the bed so the patient's feet are touching the ground. Before transferring into the wheelchair, have the patient sit on the side of the bed for a while to avoid getting dizzy upon standing.

For shorter patients you may need to remove the side rail completely.

Stand as close as you can to the patient, reach around the chest, and lock your hands behind the patient. The following steps should be followed and review directions with the patient.

Place the patient's outside leg (the one farthest from the wheelchair) between your knees for support. Bend your knees and keep your back straight.

Count to three out loud and slowly stand up. Use your legs to lift. At the same time, the patient should place their hands by their sides and help push off the bed.

The patient should help support their weight on their good leg during the transfer.

Pivot towards the chair, moving your feet so your back is aligned with your hips.

Once the patient's legs are touching the seat of the wheelchair, bend your knees to lower the patient into the seat. At the same time, ask the patient to reach for the chair’s armrest.

If the patient starts to fall during the transfer, lower the person to the nearest flat surface, bed, chair or floor.

To move patient from chair to bed reverse the directions. If moving from a wheelchair, be sure the wheels are locked, and foot rest is out of the way.

Bring the wheelchair beside the bed and have the bed lowered to be even with the chair. Make sure the person’s strong side is beside the bed.

Have patient put both feet flat on the floor. Ask the patient to move forward in the wheelchair.

Stand in front of the person. Ask them to sit tall, lean forward and push down on the chair armrest as you help them to stand. Place your hands around their upper back. If they have a weak arm, place your arm around it, not under it. Do not pull on the weak arm.

Help the person to move their feet until their bottom is over the edge of the bed. Help them sit down. The person should reach for the bed with their hands, bend their knees and keep shoulders forward. Protect your back from injury by bending your knees while you lift and swing the patient's feet off the edge of the bed and use the momentum to help the patient into a laying position on the bed.

These videos are produced by Angelic Health solely for educational purposes. The information included is not a substitute for professional medical advice. All content including, text, graphics, images and communication is for general information purposes only and is not all - encompassing. Discuss your questions and concerns with your Case Manager or call Angelic Health at 609-822-7979 anytime.

Lifting Techniques for Home Caregivers

Taking care of a spouse or family member at home can be both emotionally and physically challenging. Meeting the physical demands of lifting, turning, and transferring a loved one can put both patient and caregiver at risk for injury.

The most common injuries caregivers experience are to the back, neck, and shoulders, and are often caused by overuse — repeating the same lifting or pulling motions again and again.

Caregivers are at greatest risk for injury when they are:

Pulling a person who is reclining in bed into a sitting position.
Transferring a person from a bed to a wheelchair.
Leaning over a person for long periods of time.

Using proper lifting techniques can help prevent injury. This article provides some general guidelines for lifting and transferring patients safely. Many communities and local hospitals provide training to help non-professionals properly care for a family member at home.

Some general guidelines to follow when you lift or move a person include:

Keep your head and neck in proper alignment with your spine; your head, neck, and back should be as straight as possible.
Maintain the natural curve of your spine; bend with your hips and knees, rather than from your back.
Avoid twisting your body when carrying a person.
Always keep the person who is being moved close to your body.
Keep your feet shoulder-width apart to maintain your balance.
Use the muscles in your legs to lift and/or pull.

If the person is uncooperative, too heavy, or in an awkward position, get help.

To move a person who is lying in bed to a wheelchair, put the chair close to the bed and lock the wheels.

If the person is not strong enough to push up with their hands to a sitting position, place one of your arms under the person's legs and your other arm under their back.

Move the person's legs over the edge of the bed while pivoting their body so that the person ends up sitting on the edge of the bed.

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees bent, and your back in a natural straight position.

If the person needs assistance getting into the wheelchair, position the person's feet on the floor and slightly apart. Face the person and place their hands on the bed or on your shoulders.

Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your knees bent. Place your arms around the person's back and clasp your hands together. Hold the person close to you, lean back, and shift your weight.

Nurses, physical therapists, and others in hospitals often use lifting belts fastened around a person's waist to help with these types of movements. The caregiver then grasps the belt when lifting the patient.

Pivot toward the wheelchair, bend your knees, and lower the person into the chair.

Make sure the person has both hands on the arms of the chair before you lower them down.