Evaluation of Low-Tech Client Transfer Devices Used by Home Care Aides

Abstract

Home care tasks, such as patient lifting and transferring, involve forceful exertions and awkward postures and may increase the risk of low back injury. Sixteen home care aides completed simulated client transfers between a bed and wheelchair using a manual transfer method and four transfer devices. Findings suggested that high (bed) to low (wheelchair) transfers produced significant lower hand forces than low to high transfers, while the hand forces using the Beasy board and the Tyvek board were less than the manual’s during transfers in both directions. Average trunk flexion speeds were significantly slower while using devices than using the manual method during these transfers. The usability survey suggests that the Beasy board required less exertion and would be preferred for future client visits.