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aLatteGal Asked July 2010

What can I use to transfer my mom getting in and out of the car is too hard?

toadballet1 Jul 2010
My Mom just had a medical issue lately that effected one shoulder. She was in extreme pain even if we looked like we were going to touch it. So we called the ambulance for transport to the hospital. On the way back we had to figure out how to get her in the car. I noticed that the nursing asst. grabbed Mom around the waist and pulled Mom toward her (like a hug). That allowed Mom to shuffle her feet until she was turned around and could sit down in the back seat. Then we could help her swivel around and get her feet inside.
Another good tip: I use an old satin pillow case on the back seat so it makes it easier to slide in. I have a towel on the seat, then a piece of rubberized mat (that you use under carpets to keep them from sliding) on the towel, then I put the satin over it. The rubber keeps the satin in place while she slides across it.

linda09 Jul 2010
lynn,, thats excat what i do with pa . only its in the van and lit higher i had to grab dad by back of his pant and raise him up , sometimes he just makes it so hard for me that he would flung himself forward and his head is layin on the seat ! some days are good some days are horrible !
then next day my whole body just aches like hell .
a,\m thinking about getting that hydraulic lift , just a small one that i could use it for traveling ? mm need to ck that out .
i often thought about getting a transportations that they come and get him and tak ehim to dr but the point is when dr s visit is over dad doesnt want to sit around and wait to leave , he will want to leave now ! and stop at wendys to get him a speical treats , so i never call them .
plus he loves the joy ride , ,,, i ll have to ck that out , thanks for the idea !!

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tennessee Jul 2010
My dad weighed 200 lbs.and when he got where he couldn't use his legs,we got orders for a hydraulic lift.That is how we got him in and out of bed,it was a miracle device for me, my back was wore out.You have to do everything right, it could be very dangerous,but I could swing him just about anywhere I wanted him.He had good upper strength though.

LynnPO Jul 2010
Latte - i'll tell you what I do for my mom but i suggest that you ask a physical or occupational therapist to show you the right way to transfer her. They have all kinds of tricks and will be wary of hurting you and your mom.

I have a subaru wagon and my brother has a mazda SUV, both of these are "seat" height - not too high or too low. I am concerned about my back and refuse to "lift" mom from a car that is low to the ground. My mom still has strong arms and a knee that will hold her for a bit, consider your mom's ability to "help" in any way. Can she hang on with her hands, pivot on a foot? Here's what works for us: I wheel Mom close to the rear door of the car then I open the front passenger door and step "inside" it. I put myself between the car door and the frame with my fanny facing the hinges of the door. I pull mom's wheelchair as close to me as I can yet at a slight angle so that she is close to facing car frame. Be sure to set the breaks!!! I plant my feet with my right calf bracing on the car frame. Mom raises her arms and half squat and bend to I put my arms under hers and around her. She pushes with her good leg ( which is really not much help) while I stand up. When I'm mostly up, and I know her good leg is touching the ground, I pivot to the right and lower mom into the seat. Then she grabs a handle that is on the car roof inside the door. I step back, push the wheel chair away so I don't trip on it then raise her feet and pivot them into the car on the floor. At the same time Mom pulls herself up a bit so she can reposition herself in the seat. Often I barely get her bottom on the car seat, but it's enough to support her while I move the wheelchair and move her feet. As long as she has the overhead handle to grab, she's fine; she won't fall from the car onto the ground.

I began to use this method because it seemed safest and easiest on my back. It also made the most of mom's abilities. I had a therapy aide at her nursing home watch us once because I wanted advice on how to be safe with her. She told us to keep up the good work!
Best of luck!

rip Jul 2010
I noticed a sidebar ad on this site a while ago. It advertized mobility mechanisms.
Dang if I can find it now. It's on the right side column.

Is she in a wheelchair?
I used blankets & pillows stuffed behind an overweight lady who became stuck in a bathtub once. Piled them up behind her until we could adjust & lift her.

Do you have a physical therapy strap? Help me gang ... I can't remember the formal name ...

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