If you have an elderly loved one or are a caretaker of an elderly person whom you need to lift regularly, understanding the importance of gait belts for the elderly is crucial. These belts are designed specifically for the purpose of lift and transfer, making them an essential tool for caregivers.
Using a gait belt correctly can significantly reduce the risk and struggles associated with lifting and transferring an elderly or disabled person. It not only provides stability and support but also helps distribute the weight more evenly, reducing the strain on the caregiver’s back.
Table of Contents
- Why Use a Gait Belt for Lift and Transfer of an Elderly Person
- How to Use a Gait Belt for Transferring and Lifting
- Features of a Good Gait Belt for the For Elderly for Lift and Transfer
- Reviews: The Best Gait Belts for the Elderly for Lift and Transfer
- Secure Transfer® Handle Gait Belt for Elderly for Lift and Transfer
- LiftAid® Therapist Walking Gait Belt for Seniors for Lift and Transfer
- Vive® Gait Belt for Seniors for Lift and Transfer
- Posey® Economy Transfer Belt with Quick Release Buckle For Elderly
- Mabua® Black Gait Belt for Seniors for Lift and Transfer
- Guoer® Nursing Gait Belt for the For Elderly for Lift and Transfer
- Reaqer® Transfer and Walking Transfer Belt for Seniors
- BRMDT® Gait belt Transfer and Lift Belt for the Elderly
- Medical King® 55 Inch Transfer Belt for Seniors
- Fanwer® 36 Inch Walking and Lifting Belt for Seniors
- Index Table: Top Rated Gait Belts for Lift and Transfer of the Elderly
Why Use a Gait Belt for Lift and Transfer of an Elderly Person
A gait belt is not necessary when lifting or transferring a person. However, it does make the task much easier.
Especially when you have a bad back or are not quite strong enough for the task on your own, a gait belt can provide much-needed support, relieving you of the physical strain and making the task more manageable.
Lifting and transferring an elderly person requires considerable upper body strength, which strains your back. This procedure is also dangerous for elderly individuals if they are not strong enough, causing them to slip and fall.
I recommend a gait belt for lifting and transferring an elderly or disabled person.
A gait belt is needed when an individual is partially or completely disabled or immobile.
- 1. The gait belt assists a caregiver or family member in moving an elderly person from one area to the next, raising them without straining the back.
- 2. It helps a caregiver or a family member to stabilize the elderly individual when they lose their balance while walking or standing.
- 3. It will help the individual needing assistance and the assistance giver to prevent injuries in both cases.
How to Use a Gait Belt for Transferring and Lifting
The gait belt helps you to safely transfer a person from a bed to a wheelchair or into an upright standing position when walking.
So, it can be used for these two purposes.
The gait belt acts as a safety measure, protecting the elderly person from falling and the caregiver from injuring their back or body, ensuring a secure transfer.
A gait belt is usually one to four inches wide and 56 to 60 inches in length, depending on the model, as there are different models for different weight capacities. It can be made of canvas, nylon, or leather and has a fastening buckle on one hand and two or more handles for lifting.
In the video, we show you exactly how to use a Gair belt for lift and transfer;
- Transferring a Person from One Place to Another – You will place the belt around the person’s mid-section with the buckle facing the front, slightly off-center for comfort, over their clothes. The belt knees are tightened snugly but do not squeeze the person, and the buckle is secured. Stand Up facing the elderly person and bend your knees with your arms around the person’s uppers’ waist. Use the handles of the belt to pull and lift. Place the person safely in their chair or wheelchair using a similar method of grasping.
- Using a Gait Belt to Assist Someone with Walking – When the person is lifted, you must stand at their side and slightly behind them. Place your hand up and under the gait belt, palms facing forward, and use a firm grasp. Escort the elderly person without actually trying to drag them.
Features of a Good Gait Belt for the For Elderly for Lift and Transfer
First, you will need to determine the specific needs and requirements of the elderly person and the caregiver or family member before choosing the right gait belt for lift and transfer;
- Materials – Most transfer and Lift Gait belts consist of either nylon, canvas, or leather materials with a metal or plastic buckle for closure.
- Design – Different designs are available, some with two or more handles and designs suited more for heavier-weight elderly persons.
- Width – The Gait Belt usually has a width of around one to six inches, depending on the model, and a length of about 56 to 60 inches.
Reviews: The Best Gait Belts for the Elderly for Lift and Transfer
The list below contains some top-rated lifting and transferring gait belts that are especially ideal for an elderly person;
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1
- From SecureTransfer, we have a comfortable and effective gait belt for the elderly.
- The Giat belt is durable, comfortable nylon webbing with strong, reinforced stitching.
- Four vertical and two horizontal handles ensure a very secure grip.
- This is a quality and safe brand for elderly persons that are experts since 1991.
2
- The LiftAid Walking Gait Belt is ideal for Lifting, transferring, and maintaining stability when walking.
- The belt consists of very high-strength webbing that is durable and comfortable.
- It can transfer a person’s f p to 300lbs in weight.
- The gait belt is machine washable and very safe to use.
- It comes with a one-year warranty and is covered by EBP Medical aids.
3
- The Vive Transfer and Lifting Belt is ideal for seniors, pediatricians, and bariatrician.
- You can easily help a loved one move or walk from one area to another.
- There are extra secure leg straps for a person with weakness.
- The buckles are quick-release, so they are easy on and off.
- The handles come with comfortable padding.
4
- The Posey Economy Transfer Belt has a quick-release buckle.
- The belt heals fit transfer, lifting, and security when walking with a senior person.
- They are durable, six inches wide, and padded.
- The extra-wide soft nylon belt provides much greater patient contact.
5
- The Mabua Gait transfer and Lift belt is a Holding loop and metal buckle.
- It has one loop for proper grasp and a metal quick-release buckle.
- The belt is machine washable and of excellent quality.
- It is safe to use and also quite easy to use without any other hassles.
6
- The Guoer is a more affordable gait belt option for lift and transfer.
- It is still good quality and durable despite not being a well-known brand.
- The gait belt has nylon fabric and meshes with built-in pearl cotton that breathes well.
- There are seven vertical and three horizontal handlebars, so a caretaker or family member can get the best grip.
- The buckle is user-friendly, and the adjuster has a slip-resistant ring.
- You can easily adjust the belt to the waist size of the person needing lifting.
7
- Here, we have a comfortable gait belt for seniors to lift and transfer easily.
- The belt has seven ergonomic designed handles.
- It is highly durable with nylon webbing and reinforced stitching.
- Ideal for home care of elderly persons as well as for hospital care.
8
- The BRMDT gait belt allows for easy lift and transfer of a senior individual.
- It has a quick-release buckle that is easy to use on and off.
- The handles consist of a comfortable silica gel.
- Ideal for the daily care of an elderly or handicapped person.
9
- From Medical King, we have the perfect lift and transfer belt.
- The belt is sturdy and durable in design,
- The handles are ergonomic and padded for comfort,
- The buckle has a quick snap for easy removal.
10
- The Fanwer gait belt is ideal for lifting and transferring an elderly person.
- It is very durable with a 360-pound weight capacity.
- The Oxford and sandwich mesh fabric is comfortable and breathable.
- It also has a fully non-slip design.