Moving someone in bed

Changing position regularly can help someone to feel more comfortable and prevent pressure sores.

If you regularly lift or move someone, it's best to have someone demonstrate the correct way to avoid injury to yourself or the person you are looking after.

The district nurse, GP or occupational therapist can give information about suitable equipment.

You might find it helpful to ask about:

  • bed guards and rails
  • electric or adjustable 'hospital' beds to help someone sit up
  • ‘active’ air mattresses with air pockets that inflate and deflate to help prevent pressure ulcers

A Carer's assessment from social services can help you think about what support you might need.

Your local Citizen's Advice can guide what practical and financial support you can access. Please see our Service Directory for contact details of your local Citizens Advice Office.

The video below shows you how to use an electric bed as an aid, how to turn someone onto their side to wash them or to change bedding or pads, and how to adjust the pillows.

Recommended Resources

Marie Curie - Moving someone in bed

Published 26th October 2023

NHS - How to move, lift and handle someone else

Published 26th October 2023

Hospice in the Weald - Online guides

Published 26th October 2023

Share

Related Services

Adult social care services

Adult Social Care Ealing
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Care co-ordination service Ealing
Close

The Ealing Care Co-ordination service offers bespoke support to patients with complex needs who are supported by a variety of services. They can help to align care for patients and support services to come together to aid cohesion in care and improve patient understanding.

Carer's groups

Carers Trust
Close

Carers Trust works to transform the lives of unpaid carers through its network of local carer organisations. Carers can access to support, advice and resources to help them manage their role as carers.

Carers UK
Close

Carers UK

T. 020 7378 4999

W. https://www.carersuk.org/

Carers UK offers information and support to carers across the UK. There is an online forum and local support groups for carers. 

Ealing Carers Partnership
Close

Ealing Carers Partnership

T. 0203 4759891

W. https://www.ealingcarerspartnership.org/

Ealing Carers Partnership offers support services to unpaid carers aged 18 and over, living and caring in the London Borough of Ealing. 

Hospices

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice
Close

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice

T. 020 8967 5179

W. https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/meadow-house-hospice/#community-palliative-care-team

The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Team provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Ealing and Hounslow. The team are based at Meadow House Hospice.

The team will visit patients with progressive life limiting illness in their own homes. They provide specialist advice around pain and symptom control and support for patients, their families, and carers during the last stages of illness. They also support patients wishing to die at home through coordination with GPs and hospital teams.

The team is comprised of medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, a bereavement support officer and a patient and carer advocacy worker

The team can be contacted for referrals Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Between Monday to Friday 5.00pm and 8.30am, the Out of Hours Telephone Advice line 020 8102 5000 takes calls. Weekends and Bank Holidays 5.00pm to 9.00am.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Hospice UK
Close

Hospice UK can help find a hospice, provide infromation and support about end of life care and guidance to plan ahead.

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit
Close

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit

T. 0208 967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk

Meadow House Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Ealing.

The hospice has a 15 bedded inpatient unit supported by a team of dedicated staff providing 24/7 specialist support to patients and their family members. Patients with a progressive life limiting illness can be admitted for symptom management or end of life care.

Patients have a safe, dignified space of their own and the flexibility to spend time alone or in company, surrounded by their possessions and the people they care about. The hospice also has an extensive garden area that provides a quiet and reflective environment for both patients and family members.

Please contact the hospice Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and during the weekend 9.00am to 5.00pm on 0208 242 5817.

There is a 24 hour telephone support line to the hospice ward on 0208 967 5597.

Bereavement services to support family members, friends and carers connected to a loved one who was cared for by the Hospice, can be contacted via main switchboard.  

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)

Friendship and support

Compassionate Neighbours
Close

Compassionate Neighbours can support by:

  • Visiting weekly for a cup of tea and a chat, offering friendship and a listening ear
  • Helping you do the things you like doing
  • Helping you stay connected to your friends and the community

Overnight/weekend services

Planned Night End of Life Care
Close

Planned Night End of Life Care

T. 0203 370 2208

This is an overnight service and is provided by Marie Curie via Meadow House Hospice for residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service provides one to one overnight nursing support, symptom control, management of pain, emotional and practical support for patients in their last few weeks of life.

Referrals are made via Local Clinical Coordination Centre Monday to Sunday from 10.00pm to 7.00am.

Marie Curie Planned Night Services Referral Form (DOCX)
Rapid Response End of Life Care Service
Close

Rapid Response End of Life Care Service

T. 0208 967 5126

Marie Curie Rapid Response Service provides short term palliative nursing interventions, symptom control, management of pain, advice, emotional and practical support to the residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service is based at Meadow House Hospice.

The service can be contacted Monday to Sunday from 6.00pm to 7.00am.

Rapid Response Referral Form (DOCX)

Related Articles

26th October 2023

Moving someone in and out of bed

Feedback