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A transfer board is a flat assistive device used to help a person move from one surface to another. It is also called a slide board or sliding board. Transfer boards are often used between a wheelchair and a bed, chair, toilet, or car seat. They can help reduce lifting strain for caregivers and support safer movement for people with limited mobility.
read more about transfer board ...A transfer board is used when a person can sit upright but needs help moving sideways between surfaces. It creates a bridge across the space between two seats or surfaces. The person shifts across the board in small movements, sometimes with help from a caregiver. It is commonly used in rehabilitation, home care, hospitals, and long-term care settings.
Transfer boards can be straight, curved, rigid, or flexible. Some are made of wood, plastic, or composite materials with a smooth sliding surface. Curved boards can help with transfers around armrests or uneven angles, while long boards may help with car transfers. Some boards have hand holes, anti-slip surfaces, or low-friction covers to make movement easier.
The caregiver or patient places one end of the board under the patient’s hip and the other end on the target surface. Both surfaces should be stable, close together, and locked if wheels are present. The patient then shifts weight across the board in small movements instead of standing fully. The board is removed only after the patient is safely positioned on the new surface.
A transfer board should be used only when it fits the patient’s strength, balance, skin condition, and transfer goal. Brakes should be locked, footrests moved, and the transfer path cleared before starting. Poor placement can cause slipping, skin shearing, pinching, or falls. A healthcare professional should teach proper technique before independent use.
A transfer board may help people who can sit upright and shift weight but have trouble standing or stepping during transfers. A clinician can decide whether it is appropriate.
Some people can use one independently after training, but others need caregiver help. Safety depends on strength, balance, surface height, and transfer technique.
A transfer board is a firm bridge used for seated transfers. A slide sheet is a low-friction fabric aid often used to reposition someone in bed or reduce friction during movement.
It can reduce fall risk when used correctly, but it does not remove the risk completely. Locked wheels, close surface positioning, proper training, and supervision are still important.
Patient Care Transfer Techniques. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564305/. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Transfer board user guide. Evelina London Children's Hospital. https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/transfer-board-user-guide.pdf. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
How to Use a Sliding Board. Together by St. Jude. https://together.stjude.org/en-us/medical-care/rehabilitation/using-a-sliding-board.html. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Transferring to and from Your Wheelchair. University Health Network Toronto Rehab. https://www.uhn.ca/TorontoRehab/Spinal-Cord-Rehab/Spinal-Cord-Essentials/Documents/Mobility/SCE2-Ma1-Transferring-To-And-From-Your-Wheelchair.pdf. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
3.7 Patient Transfers ? Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care. BCcampus Open Publishing. https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/3-7-transfers-and-ambulation/. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.