Safe Wheelchair Transfer
Safe – independent wheelchair transfer is essential for those seeking greater freedom and independence at home, in rehab or in a hospital ward situation. Safe confident transfer provides dignity and independence and of course frees care assistants for more essential tasks. The key lies in the mattresses firmness, height and stability. If a mattress is too high or sags when a client sits on its edge –it can be dangerous and cause falls.
The Squirrel Diamond (Patented) was designed in conjunction with some of the UK’s most prominent clinicians– who wished to promote confidence, self initiated movement and self transfer to chair, walker or commode.Most clients using the mattress at home will use the handset of their adjustable bed to gently raise the back section – until they reach a position where they feel comfortable and are able to swing first their legs and then their whole body around – so that they are resting comfortably on the edge of the bed. At the same time, the Squirrel mattress continues to alternate underneath them – helping to protect them from capillary occlusion.
You will notice in the video that Julie has transferred all of her weight to her bottom – and due to the firmness of the Squirrel mattress she isn’t sinking into it. This support re enforces her confidence and posture whilst she prepares to transfer herself to the wheelchair safely.
Some people, in home care or rehab will wish to transfer direct to a walker. Again confidence and stability are critical and so Julie gently raises the back section to a position which allows her to swing her legs out of bed, to pause comfortably on the edge of the bed and then transfer safely to a walking position. It would be wrong to say that a fall can not and will not happen simply by using a Squirrel Diamond, and where possible please use the static feature that fully inflates all 58 chambers – but we are convinced that the Squirrel Diamond in comparison to most other dynamic mattresses, will be a safer and more effective medium with regards to transfer for those that transfer without any assistance. Our advice is to try one under clinical supervision – to gauge its effectiveness.
