Transferring someone from a wheelchair to a car requires positioning the wheelchair parallel to the vehicle, locking all brakes, and using a standing pivot or sliding board technique to move the person safely into the seat. The whole process takes about two to five minutes once you’ve practiced it, and getting the setup right matters more than the transfer itself.
Set Up Before You Start
Most transfer injuries happen because of poor preparation, not the actual movement. Before anything else, park the car in a spot with enough open space on the passenger side for the wheelchair and for you to stand comfortably between the chair and the car. If there isn’t enough room for both of you to stand and pivot, you risk injuring yourself or the person you’re helping.
Open the car door as wide as it will go. Recline the car seat slightly and slide it back to create maximum legroom. Then position the wheelchair as close to the car seat as possible, angled parallel to the vehicle so the person’s back is roughly facing the open door. Once the chair is in place, run through this checklist:
- Lock the wheelchair brakes on both sides. If it’s a power chair, turn it off first.
- Remove or swing away the footrests on both sides so they don’t block movement.
- Lift or remove the armrest closest to the car to clear a path for the transfer.
- Engage the vehicle’s parking brake so the car can’t roll during the transfer.
The Standing Pivot Transfer
This is the most common method when the person has at least some ability to bear weight on their legs. A gait belt, which is a thick fabric belt that wraps around the person’s waist, adds safety and gives you something secure to hold. If you have one, fasten it snugly before starting.
Have the person scoot toward the front edge of the wheelchair. They can do this by leaning back slightly and sliding their hips forward. Then ask them to place both hands on the wheelchair armrests and push up to stand. Agree on a count beforehand. Either you or the person should count aloud to three so you both know the exact moment to begin standing.
Once standing, the person can grab onto the car frame or your arm for stability. From here, they take small steps to pivot their body so their back faces the car seat. Keep going until the person can feel the edge of the car seat pressing against the backs of their calves. That contact is the signal they’re in the right position to sit down.
Guide them to lower slowly onto the car seat, using your support and the gait belt for control. Once they’re seated, help swing their legs into the car one at a time, starting with the leg closest to the dashboard. For someone recovering from a stroke or with one weaker side, you may need to lift the affected leg manually.
Using a Sliding Board
If the person can’t stand at all or has very limited leg strength, a transfer board bridges the gap between the wheelchair and the car seat. These are rigid, flat boards made of wood or plastic with a smooth top surface and a non-slip backing that keeps the board from shifting during the transfer. Check the weight limit printed on the board before using it.
Position the wheelchair as close as possible to the car seat, at the same height if you can. Slide one end of the board under the person’s thigh on the wheelchair side and rest the other end on the car seat. The person then uses their arms to push up slightly and slide across the board in small increments. You can help by guiding their hips. Once they’re fully on the car seat, remove the board and swing the legs into the car.
Tools That Make Transfers Easier
Several inexpensive devices can reduce the physical effort for both of you. A portable car handle, sometimes sold under the brand name Handybar, is a small L-shaped grab bar. The shorter end slots into the U-shaped door latch on the car’s doorjamb, giving the person a sturdy handle to grip while standing or lowering into the seat. It’s lightweight and fits in a glove compartment.
A swivel seat cushion sits on the car seat and rotates freely, so the person can sit down facing outward and then spin their body to face forward without having to twist. This is especially helpful for people with hip or knee stiffness. For those who only need a small amount of help, a simple turning cushion can make a noticeable difference.
Transfer straps, sometimes called car caddies, loop around the window frame and dangle a wide handle into the car. The person grabs the handle and pulls themselves upright after turning to face the open door. These work well for getting out of the car and can be paired with other tools for getting in.
Protect Your Own Back
Caregivers are at high risk for back injuries during car transfers, especially when they do them multiple times a day. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and bend at the knees, not the waist. Stay close to the person throughout the transfer. The farther your arms are extended, the more strain falls on your lower back.
Never twist your torso while supporting someone’s weight. Move your feet to change direction instead. If you’re using a gait belt, grip it with both hands at the person’s sides rather than reaching around their back. The belt lets you control the transfer without bear-hugging the person or pulling awkwardly on their clothing.
Once They’re in the Seat
After the transfer, make sure the person is sitting with their hips pushed back against the seat. Their knees should be at or slightly below hip level. If the seat is too low and the knees ride up above the hips, place a firm cushion on the seat before the next transfer to raise the sitting surface. This is especially important for anyone recovering from hip surgery, where bending the hip beyond 90 degrees can cause a dislocation.
Position the legs so they point straight ahead, not crossed or turned inward. Fasten the seat belt with the lap portion low across the hips, not riding up on the stomach. The shoulder strap should cross the chest without pressing against the neck. Take a moment to check that nothing, like loose clothing or the gait belt, is caught in the door before closing it.