Turning someone in bed without hurting either of you

For someone who spends most of the day in bed, a change of position every couple of hours keeps blood flowing and helps prevent pressure injuries. The right technique uses your legs and body weight, not your back.

How often

Change the person’s position every 2 hours.¹ Tell them what you’re about to do and invite them to help if they can.¹

Set up the bed

Raise the bed to a height that eases strain on your back, and lay it flat.¹

Get them ready

Stand on the side they’ll turn toward, lower that rail, slide them toward you and raise the rail again.¹ From the other side, ask them to look toward you, stretch the bottom arm toward you, lay the top arm across the chest and cross the upper ankle over the lower one.¹

The roll

Get close, with a knee on the bed if needed.¹ Put one hand on the shoulder and one on the hip.¹ With one foot ahead of the other, shift your weight forward as you gently pull the shoulder, then back as you pull the hip.¹ Repeat until they’re on their side.¹

Line everything up

Keep the head and neck in line with the spine, keep the arms out from under the body, and make sure ankles, knees and elbows aren’t resting on each other; use pillows as needed.¹ Raise the rails and check that they’re comfortable.¹

Check the skin

Each turn is a chance to check for redness or sores; call the provider if you see any.¹ A home health nurse can set up a turning schedule and teach the family the safest way for your loved one.