Navigate Up

Bed Transfer: Toward Your Stronger Side

This page will tell you how to get in and out of bed safely by leading with your stronger leg.

Getting into bed

  1. Sit on your bed — closer to the head of the bed than the foot of the bed.
  2. Scoot back as far as you can onto the bed (to the backs of your knees, if possible). While scooting, keep your hands flat on the bed, behind your hips.
  3. Using your arms to support yourself, turn your body a little toward the foot of the bed as you slide your stronger leg onto the bed (see picture at right). Then slide your weaker leg onto the bed. You may bend your stronger leg to help you get onto the bed.
  4. Gently lower yourself back onto the bed.

Getting out of bed

  1. Push yourself up into a sitting position (with your legs straight out in front of you). Place your hands flat on the bed slightly behind your hips.
  2. Move your weaker leg while you turn your body to face the edge of the bed. Slide your weaker leg off the bed. Then slide your stronger leg off of the bed.
  3. Scoot forward until your feet are touching the floor. Wait a moment, then slowly stand.

Note: Your therapist may show you different ways to get in and out of bed depending on your situation. Follow the instructions you are given.

Safety tip

Be sure to remember your hip precautions, if you had hip surgery (keep your knees apart).

Revised 2011

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions. All rights reserved.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com