Gait belt

[denise]

Has anyone used a gait belt? I've seen them used on YouTube and would like to know if it helps move or reposition someone.

[Lynne K]

Never heard of that Denise but interested to hear about it. Lynne x

[denise]

its a belt, though there are various designs with hand holes or loops, so that a carer can buckle it up and then use it so that someone can be lifted or moved. some are just an open band that can be put behind the back just under the arms.

i was trying to find something that would help get stephen up from the floor or even out of his chair. it would mean being able to hold on to something other than his arms or trying to lug his boday about. i saw a carer helping someone from the floor by using a belt around the hip area but i thought that id worry i might be harming internal organs. anyway i have found more and more videos using this gait belt and wondered if anyone else had seen the videos or even tried one. go on everyone look on youtube and tell me what you think. thanks.

[Bowler]

We used this to great effect. Which is what I think you might be referring to

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DfYdhCvBlD8

[Lynne K]

Thanks Denise. I’ll look later x

[denise]

no. i havnt seen that one. this is just a belt. various kinds some similar to the one the guy is putting around his client. then its a case of just pulling the belt. there's some good training videos but mainly from US or Australia. it looks very simple. can be used to move someone chair to chair or turn them in bed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Jt_8EifT0&ab_channel=jeffkauffmanjeffkauffman

like i said lots of vids on how to do it up and where to put in and what it can be used for and its not expensive - for sale on amazon

[Suefromwakey]

Tell you what I think Denise DONT DO IT !! that's a bad back waiting to happen YOURS, what I have noticed that all the videos I have seen thus far show a strapping bloke lifting frail people, as Albert now has no strength at all in his lower half that would be trying to lift a dead weight (18st) it's not gonner happen.

Albert transfers using a banana board and shuffles sideways - but Stephen would need upper arm strength for that. Albert can no longer even get out of the recliner on full height and tilt - he uses the banana and does a sideways manoeuvre onto his scooter.

Sorry that dunt help you

[denise]

thanks sue i just wanted a few opinions before i buy something that i cant use.

[Ellie]

Yes Denise, carers used gait belts on me when I was at that stage and they're useful tools to have to *help* a person who *can weightbear and shuffle their bottoms* to transfer between chairs or bed to chair or to reposition - you should never *lift* Stephen or take his weight because, as Sue says, you'll eventually put your back out...

I'm nearly sure I have one - it's fancier than the one in the video, with loop handles - so when my carers come back, I'll have them go hunting and let you know. xx

[denise]

hi ellie

i know not to lift him. i do try to do it from a balance point of view. i used to do weight training so i know there's more strength from getting the weight in the right position. it was trying to get hold of him to help pull him upright, what to get hold of? we usually manage it buy doing a count and working together then hey presto he's upright. my problem the other day was getting him out of the car after he had been sitting for a while. limited space. funny how he manages to move when there's the chance of a fag!

[Ellie]

Denise, I found one which I'm happy to post to you - no use to me any more - just avoid placing it over his feeding tube. It's a Locomotor mini belt. xx

[denise]

You don't mind posting it here?

[Ellie]

With pleasure - it has been sitting in the back of a cupboard for years.

PM your address. xx

[denise]

Ellie I got to use the belt. Really helpful getting him onto his knees and a combined effort getting him upright. Thank you so much.
😘

[Barry52]

Ellie I got to use the belt. Really helpful getting him onto his knees and a combined effort getting him upright. Thank you so much.
😘

Denise, has Stephen had a fall?