Transfer Aids

What Are Transfer Aids?

Transfer aids are pieces of equipment that help a person move from one seat or surface to another: from a bed to a wheelchair, from a wheelchair to a car seat, or on and off a toilet or commode. A transfer is one of the moments when a person with limited mobility is most likely to slip or lose balance, and it is also when carers are most likely to strain their backs. The right aid spreads the effort, gives something stable to push against, and lets the move happen in smaller, controlled steps.

This hub explains the main types of transfer aid, where each one fits into daily life, and how to get professional advice before you buy. It also links to our guides on wheelchairs and car equipment that make transfers easier.

Which Types of Transfer Aid Are There?

Transfer equipment falls into a few broad groups, from simple low-cost items to powered lifting equipment:

• Transfer boards, also called slide boards, bridge the gap between two seats so the user can shuffle across while seated.
• Turntables and pivot discs sit on the floor and turn under the feet, so a person who can stand briefly can rotate without twisting their knees.
• Handling belts fit round the waist and give a carer secure handles to guide the move, rather than pulling on arms or clothing.
• Standing and turning aids have a platform for the feet and a frame to hold, so a carer can pivot the person between two seats.
• Hoists lift a person in a sling, for people who cannot bear weight at all.
• Car aids such as swivel cushions, portable grab handles and leg lifters help with getting in and out of a vehicle.

How Does a Transfer Board Work?

A transfer board is a smooth, rigid board, often with a curved or cut-out shape, that is placed under the thigh with the other end resting on the seat you are moving to. The user leans forward, takes weight through the arms, and slides across in short movements. Some boards have a sliding disc built in so the user glides across rather than shuffling.

Boards work well for people with good upper-body strength and sitting balance, including many full-time wheelchair users. The two seats should be close together and at a similar height, and the wheelchair needs an armrest that lifts or swings away so the board can sit flat. It takes practice, so learn the technique with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist first.

When Is a Standing Aid or Hoist Needed?

If a person can take some weight through their legs but cannot walk, a standing and turning aid lets a carer help them rise, pivot on the spot and sit down again on the other seat. It suits bed to chair and chair to commode moves in the home, and it takes much of the lifting out of the task.

When someone cannot stand or bear weight, a hoist is usually recommended. Mobile hoists roll on castors; ceiling track hoists run along a rail. Hoists need slings in the right size and style, and carers should be trained to use them. An assessment is essential before choosing one, because the wrong sling or hoist can be uncomfortable and unsettling for the person being moved.

How Can You Make Car Transfers Easier?

Moving across from a wheelchair to a car seat is awkward: the door opening is narrow, the seat is often low or high, and there is a door sill and a door frame to negotiate. Simple aids help a lot. A swivel cushion lets the user sit on the edge of the seat and turn their legs in. A portable handle that locks into the door catch gives a firm point to push up from. A leg lifter strap helps raise each leg over the sill.

For bigger changes, some vehicles can be fitted with swivel seats that turn out of the door and lower towards the wheelchair. Our guide to wheelchair to car transfer devices in the UK compares the options, from low-cost handles to fitted seats.

Does the Wheelchair Itself Help with Transfers?

The design of a wheelchair makes a surprising difference to how easy it is to get in and out. Armrests that flip back or lift off leave the side open for a board or a sideways shuffle. Footrests that swing away clear the space in front so the feet can be placed flat on the floor before standing. Good brakes that are easy to reach are vital, because the chair must not roll away mid-move.

Seat height matters too. A chair that sits at a similar height to the bed or car seat makes a sideways transfer much easier. When comparing chairs, our guide to the best wheelchair for elderly users covers the features that help older people get in and out.

Is a Transit Chair Useful for Short Moves?

A transit or attendant chair has small rear wheels and push handles, so it is pushed by a carer rather than self-propelled. Because it is light and compact, it is often used for short moves around the home or for trips out, and many models fold down small for the car boot.

A narrow transit chair can pass through doorways where a larger chair will not fit, which can make a real difference in older homes. Our guide to the transit wheelchair explains what to look for in frame, brakes and seat width.

What About Transfers to the Toilet?

Toilet transfers are frequent and often rushed, which makes them one of the harder moves to manage. A toilet frame or grab rails give something secure to hold. A raised seat brings the toilet closer to wheelchair height. For some people a wheeled commode chair is the simplest answer: the person transfers once, onto the commode chair, which is then wheeled over the toilet or into the shower.

Chairs that combine a wheelchair and a commode seat reduce the number of moves in a day. See our page on the wheelchair with commode for how these chairs work.

Who Can Assess Transfer Needs?

Because transfers carry real risk for both the person and the carer, professional advice is worth getting early. Your council’s adult social care team can arrange an assessment by an occupational therapist, who will watch how transfers are done now and recommend equipment, technique and, where needed, training for carers. Much of the equipment for use at home is provided on loan after an assessment.

The NHS page on walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters explains how to ask for an assessment and what to expect. If needs change after an illness or a fall, ask for a review rather than carrying on with equipment that no longer fits.

Tips for Carers Helping with Transfers

Plan every move before you start. Put the wheelchair in position, apply the brakes, move footrests and armrests out of the way, and make sure the floor is clear. Tell the person what is going to happen and agree a word to start on, so you move together rather than pulling against each other.

Keep your back straight, bend at the knees and keep the person close to you. Never let them hold round your neck. If a move feels unsafe, stop and ask for advice instead of trying harder next time. Carers can ask the council for a carer’s assessment, which may include handling training and help with equipment.

Choosing From the Chairs on This Page

The cards below show a mix of manual, attendant and powered wheelchairs, including high-back models with head cushions and wider chairs. When comparing them for easy transfers, look at whether the armrests lift or swing away, how the footrests move, how high the seat sits and how easy the brakes are to reach.

If you still walk short distances but tire quickly, a chair that also works as a walker can cut down the number of transfers in a day. Our guide to the lightweight walker wheelchair combo explains how these hybrid designs work.