Medical transfer boards
People who are wheelchair-bound often have trouble transitioning to and from their bed, bathtub and other surfaces. Even with the help of a caregiver, it often requires a lot of effort and sometimes tricky maneuvers that have the potential for causing injury. Medical transfer boards solve this problem and make it easier to perform both independent and assisted transitions.
Most transfer boards are straight, rigid platforms that the user moves their body across. Some, such as the BeasyGlyder BeasyTrans Easy Transfer System, feature sliding seats for a smooth, friction-free transition between surfaces. These are some of the best options but also the most expensive.
What to know before you buy a transfer board
What is a medical transfer board?
Transfer boards are simply platforms that are used to bridge gaps between two objects, often a wheelchair and bed, car seat or bathtub. They can be used independently by some patients for self-transfers or with caregivers for assisted transfers. Most are flat, rigid surfaces made from either plastic or wood. Some may incorporate sliding seats to make the transfer easier or less abrasive on the skin.
Why use a medical transfer board?
The main reason to use a transfer board is that it makes it easier for people to move or be moved by a caregiver without having to use their legs. They also reduce the chances of injury for both the person using the transfer board and caregivers. This is because they break up a single, jarring motion into several small movements. They also reduce the amount of effort and potentially awkward movements required by both participants.
Using a medical transfer board safely
Transfer boards should only be used to perform transfers between two surfaces of roughly equal height. If there is more than a half-inch height discrepancy, a transition becomes more difficult and the chance of injury increases. Also, the two surfaces must be close enough to one another that the board overlaps the edge of each surface by at least a few inches.
Before making a transfer to or from a wheelchair, make sure the parking brake is securely locked into place. The transfer should be performed as a series of short movements, rather than one or two large motions. It’s also important to move slowly and give yourself time to regain your balance between each movement.
Transfer board features
Maximum weight limit
All transfer boards have a maximum safe weight limit that should be clearly defined in the user manual. This is often between 300-450 pounds. If you weigh more than that, you’ll need to opt for a bariatric transfer board, some of which have weight capacities up to 700 pounds.
Material
Transfer boards are made of either plastic or wood. The former is more hygienic and easier to sanitize. This makes plastic models better for bathroom applications. However, many find wood models to be more attractive because they don’t look as much like medical devices.
Handholds
Depending on the design, a transfer board may have no handholds or several. As a general rule, the more handholds a transfer board has, the easier it is to work with. That said, those with sliding mechanisms often don’t have handholds because you don’t need to put as much effort into moving your body on them.
Cutouts
In addition to the handholds, some transfer boards have additional cutouts that are intended to be hooked around the arm of a wheelchair or bathtub and toilet rails. These help to secure the board in place so it’s less likely to move during the transfer.
Sliding mechanism
Though not common, some transfer boards have a sliding seat on them. While more expensive, these make transfer easier because they won’t require as much upper body strength. They also make the transfer gentler on the skin.
Transfer board cost
Most transfer boards cost $30-$60. Those designed for transferring supine patients or with sliding mechanisms may cost as much as $250.
Transfer board FAQ
Who can use a medical transfer board?
A. Medical transfer boards are best for people who have lower limb injuries or disabilities but still retain good upper body strength and cognitive ability. They should not be used by people who suffer from disorientation or dizziness or who have trouble sitting upright on their own.
Are medical transfer boards hard to use?
A. Most people will find that medical transfer boards are not difficult to use, but they do have a bit of a learning curve in the beginning. Also, they will be harder for people with weak upper body muscles.
Which transfer board should I get?
Best of the best transfer board
BeasyGlyder BeasyTrans Easy Transfer System: available at Amazon
Our take: It has more of a learning curve than others, but once you figure it out, the BeasyGlyder offers some of the smoothest and easiest transfers.
What we like: The sliding seats eliminates the friction you experience with traditional transfer boards, making it less likely to cause skin irritation. Plus, its plastic surface can be easily sanitized.
What we dislike: It’s considerably more expensive than most other options.
Best bang for your buck transfer board
Lopton Wooden Transfer Board: available at Amazon
Our take: This transfer board has a high weight capacity and features several cutouts that help you secure it in position when transferring to or from your wheelchair.
What we like: The pine construction makes it look less like a medical device than some others. It’s also sealed so it won’t absorb moisture.
What we dislike: The edges aren’t tapered, which can make the initial transition tricky for some.
Honorable mention transfer board
Rehabilitation Advantage 34-inch Transfer Board: available at Amazon
Our take: Thanks to an antibacterial plastic construction, this board is easy to sanitize and a good choice for use in the bathroom.
What we like: Its smooth surface isn’t rough on the skin and it has rounded corners and edges for comfortable use.
What we dislike: It’s longer than many others, which is good for transfers to and from cars but can make it difficult to transport and store when not in use.
Brett Dvoretz is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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