Gait belts are a valuable tool that helps in lifting and assisting the patient or older individual who are partially ambulatory. It helps the caregivers to stably transfer the patient from one place to another without any injury to both individuals. There are different types of transfer gait belts with handles that cater to different needs. Below are some factors that you should think about while investing in a gait belt –
1. Material
Transfer belts for patients are typically designed using cotton, canvas, or leather materials that are further secured with a plastic or metal buckle to fasten it around the body. So the first consideration should be the quality of the material used in the belts. You need to look for materials that are sturdy and durable that can bear the weight of the patient efficiently.
2. Comfort
A gait belt is fastened around the waist of the patient, and a little strain is put to lift them up. So you must make sure that the material is comfortable and breathable. The belt should come around the body well without it putting too much pressure and causing any tear or rash. Vinyl gait belts have no pores, so they lack the breathability that you need. It will make the patient sweat creating opportunities to slip off.
3. Ease of Maintenance
You need to invest in transfer belts for patients that are easy to maintain. Vinyl or leather belts are difficult to clean, and you cannot put them in the washing machine. However, cotton or canvas belts can be easily cleaned by putting them into the washing machine and dry them under the sun. Evidently, opting for a cotton or canvas gait belt is a better option.
4. Dimensions
The dimension of a gait belt is a significant factor that you should not overlook. The dimensions of the belt should be according to the weight and waist size of the patient. After putting the belt around, there should be an adequate amount of space to fasten the belt while making sure that the patient is comfortable and not suffocating. So if the patient is overweight, you need a transfer belt that has a wider dimension so that he or she can easily breathe.
5. Flexibility
When you are looking for the perfect transfer gait belts with handles, you should look out for the ones that have adequate loops to fasten the straps. This will provide the flexibility of using the belts on patients with different sizes.
6. Durability of Gait belt
You should be able to customize the belt for added suitability and comfort of the patient. When it comes to durability, vinyl, leather, and canvas hold more durability and can last a lifetime; however, cotton gait belts tend to wear out in a couple of years.
Choosing the right transfer gait belt with handles are extremely important for the safety of both patients and caregiver. So it is important that you consider the above factors while buying a transfer belt for the patient and make a well-informed decision.