Some mature adults and people with mobility problems caused by injury or disease may experience difficulty moving from a sitting to a standing position. Some are helped by machines or belt and sling devices, but there are also some basic steps mobility-challenged individuals and their caregivers can take to make this critical mobility process less stressful. Following these steps should reduce pressure and back pain. Having a caregiver at hand when transitioning from a sitting to a standing position is highly recommended for those with severe mobility problems.
Before You Start
If it's practical, consider raising the patient's chair by placing blocks under the bottom. The added height will make the transition easier. Second, always encourage your patient -- help build his confidence in himself and his abilities to get up with minimal assistance.
Preparatory Steps
The person sitting should then use his arms, hips and legs to gradually scoot toward the front edge of the chair. If this third step isn't entirely successful, encourage him to press his back against the back of the chair and scoot his bottom forward, then try the scooting motion again.
Bend and Lean
When the patient is at the front edge of the chair, it's time for steps five and six. Ask him to bring his feet back toward the chair by bending his knees in preparation for putting weight on his legs. Next, with feet flat on the floor, have him bend his upper torso forward. The bending should be done from the hips rather than the waist to maximize the effects of his weight and natural momentum.
Standing Up Straight
The final two steps can be the most difficult for some mobility-impaired mature adults, both physically and psychologically -- the latter in terms of their fear of falling. The sitting patient should push up and forward using his arms and legs at the same time. Once upright, the final step is to grasp a cane, walker, or the arm of a caregiver before taking any forward steps to make sure that the patient is steady on his feet.
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