5 Best Wheelchair Transfer Boards – 2022

2.8K

When you get a wheelchair, it’s not the only piece of equipment you’ll need. The next is a wheelchair transfer board. The purpose of wheelchair transfer boards is so you can more easily move from a wheelchair to your bed, the bath, a vehicle, or anywhere else (such as within a medical facility for x-rays, etc.).

These are portable, lightweight, easy-to-use, and durable but there is a small learning curve on how to use them that can make moving around, to/from seated positions much easier. They can also help save the back of caregivers who struggle with lifting.

These boards are one type of products that makes wheelchairs easier to use. We did not mention them in our top wheelchair accessories article, but we could have.

What are Wheelchair Transfer Boards Made Of?

To make them lightweight, wheelchair transfer boards are made from wood, plastic, fiberglass or metal. Most of them weigh around 5 pounds each. Some are made for a specific purpose.

For example, a Commode Transfer Board goes right on top of the toilet seat for a very easy transfer. It can stay there during toileting. Some have notches on them that make them more easily fit around wheelchair tires.

Wheelchair transfer boards may also be called bariatric transfer boards if they are capable of holding someone that weighs 400 up to 627 pounds. Some market their low friction surface to make transfers easier while others boast about their curved design for the same purpose.

What Type of Extras Can You Find in Wheelchair Transfer Boards?

Some transfer boards pivot, and it is these that help those who need help standing but have difficulty moving legs and feet. The pivoting section on the board may rotate to help you get into a vehicle.

Wheelchair transfer boards may have built in protection against microbial contamination as well, and some may be exceptionally easy to clean and dry after use. Some wheelchair transfer boards are as long as 31 inches while most are 30 inches.

Advantages of Wheelchair Transfer Boards

You don’t have to have a wheelchair to use a wheelchair transfer board. If you have limited mobility, the transfer board can be used as an aid to use the toilet and getting into and out of bed. Another advantage of wheelchair transfer boards is to save the backs of caregivers who may strain their muscles while attempting to help someone they are caring for change position.

With the large variety of wheelchair transfer boards available, you are certain to get one that fits your needs.

Top 5 Wheelchair Transfer Boards

The following boards are all available on Amazon. For alternatives to Amazon products, consider visiting The Wright Stuff. They specialize in “health care products that make life easier” which include different wheelchair accessories, transfer boards, etc.

1. Vive Transfer Board – Patient Slide Assist Device for Transferring Patient from Wheelchair to Bed, Tub, Toilet, and Car

Made of wood, this wheelchair transfer board has a durable and smooth finish. The wood is sealed and coated to prevent cracks and chips. It’s lightweight and definitely portable. There are dual cutout handles, which allows a secure grip. The ends of the transfer board are tapered with rounded corners to avoid scratches and snags on furniture or upholstery. Length is 29 inches long. The board supports individuals up to 440 pounds. There’s a 60-day guarantee with this wheelchair transfer board.

2. YPC Transfer Disc, Pivot Disc for Transfers

This transfer board allows a 360 degree rotation for turns, a change in direction, and transferring between seats. The diameter is 12 inches to accommodate smaller sized shoes. The disc is good for those with limited mobility and handles up to a weight of 330 pounds. It has a durable non-slip grooved material for patient safety. It’s great for those who may not have a caregiver around to make the transfer.

3. BeasyTrans Easy Transfer System, BeasyGlyder Easy Wheelchair Transfer Board

Beasy is a solid company in the wheelchair transfer board world. This transfer board is made of exceptionally strong plastic. It’s not shaped like a board but rather is more rounded and has a disc that supports the user’s weight of up to 400 pounds. The disc glides on the board’s track during transfer. The disc rotates 360 degrees to allow you to transfer easily from wheelchair to bed, chair or other surface. It’s a full 32 inches long and 10 inches wide.

4. Blue Jay Wooden Transfer Board, Wheelchair/Commode Transfer Board

This transfer board is 32 inches by 10 inches diameter and withstands weights of up to 600 pounds. It’s made of hardwood and has tapered ends. The board thickness is ¾ inch. There are two open hand cutouts on the board so you can grip it well. The hand cutouts reduce any risk of leg or back injury on the part of the caregivers.

5. Transfer Board – Bariatric Heavy Duty Wooden Sliding Transport Platform

This hardwood transfer board is 1 inch thick, 32.3 inches long, and only 8.8 inches wide. The board is sanded evenly and sealed with a smooth surface coating to reduce friction, which allows patients to slide more easily to the transfer surface. The board has 60 wooden rollers in the center of the board so you can roll steadily and gradually over to the new surface. The board has a handle for the patient to grasp and support his weight. The handle opening is large enough for large hands. This board comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 30-day customer warranty.

How do Transfer Boards Work?

The best way to learn how to use a wheelchair transfer board is to watch a video on it a few times. Then write out the steps. The video we have selected is here and we have transcribed the process for you to simply copy and print this info out. Included is a two-person slide board transfer, a one-person slide board transfer, and how to do a transfer from wheelchair to bed without any transfer board at all and by oneself.

Two Person Slide Board Transfer

1. Set the wheelchair at a slight angle close to the surface you are transferring to. The surfaces should be level or slightly downhill to reduce the efforts of the transfer for both the person and the caregiver.
2. Lock the brakes. Be sure the front casters are facing forward.
3. Remove seatbelts and armrests if there are any. One of the caregivers should stay in front of the person once the seatbelt is removed.
4. Place the transfer board under the upper thigh and bottom with the rough side down. Slide the tip of the board under the thigh while pushing the tip down and into the cushion or sitting surface.
5. Make sure 1/3 of the board is under the thigh and bottom while the other end is over the surface you are transferring to.
6. Ideally, the board doesn’t touch your skin but clothing only.
7. Make sure the feet are facing straight ahead or partially away from the direction of the transfer.
8. Lean the person forward with their head facing the opposite direction. The caregiver in the front should squat and help the person leans forward. The further the person leans forward, the easier the transfer will be.
9. The 2^nd person (behind the person) puts their hands under the person’s bottom to slide the hips across the board. Work together and count to do the transfer at the same time.
10. Be sure the person fully clears the wheel or other parts of the wheelchair as they move across the board.
11. One caregiver moves the person away from the board while the second caregiver pulls the board out.

One Person Slide Board Transfer

1. This is for someone who has upper body strength.
2. Set the wheelchair at a slight angle close to the surface you are transferring to. Lock the brakes.
   Be sure the front casters are facing forward.
3. Remove seatbelts and armrests if there are any.
4. Move the hips forward towards the edge of the chair seat, especially the side closest to the transfer surface.
5. Lift the inside leg to place the transfer board under the upper thigh and bottom.
6. Slide the board with the rough side down under the thigh by pushing the tip of the board down and into the cushion or seating surface to protect skin from pinching.
7. Make sure 1/3 of the transfer is under the thigh or bottom while the other end is over the surface you are transferring to.
8. Make sure the feet are straight ahead or partially turned away from the direction of the transfer. Lean away from the transfer surface.
9. The caregiver should be in front and positioned low or over the person to allow the person to lean forward as much as possible.
10. The caregiver places their hands over the person’s hips to guide the transfer. Count 1-2-3 to facilitate the transfer.
11. Be sure the person fully clears the parts of the wheelchair as they move across the board.
12. Once the transfer is complete, the caregiver leans the person away to remove the board.

Pop-Over Transfer (When No Caregiver is Needed)

1. Set the wheelchair at a slight angle close to the surface you are transferring to. Lock the brakes.
   Be sure the front casters are facing forward.
2. Move the hips forward towards the edge of the chair seat, especially the side closest to the transfer surface. If you are able, place your inside foot with firm contact on the floor while the outside foot stays on the foot plate. Make sure your feet are facing straight ahead or partially turned away from the direction of the transfer.
3. Place your inside hand on the transfer surface and your outside hand on the frame of the wheel or cushion.
4. Lift up by pushing yourself up with your arms and swinging your pelvis to the transfer surface.

Summary

Wheelchair transfer boards are an assistive device that helps people move from one location to another. The purpose of this is to prevent falls and slips. If you have a wheelchair, you need a wheelchair transfer board. There are many on the market that can fit your needs.