A gait belt used properly and with the appropriate patient/resident can
prevent falls.

Purpose of a gait belt:

• Gait belts provide staff with balance assistance during ambulation and transfers.
  
• Gait belts insure safe mobility for patient/resident and staff.

• Gait belts should be worn every time a patient/resident requires assistance with their mobility.
• Gait belts should be worn in patient's room, in the halls if ambulating, or any place patient/resident will need to transfer from one surface to another.
• Buckling the belt: Bring the metal end through the teeth side of the buckle and pull snugly, and then thread the metal end through the other end of the buckle.
• Placing the belt: Most gait belts are placed at the waist level. Some patients/residents have injuries or surgery that require the belt to be placed higher or lower than waist level.
• Holding the belt: Depending on the level of assistance that the patient/resident requires, one hand can be placed on the belt threading fingers from the bottom towards the top of the belt or two hands can be used on each side of the belt at patient's/resident's waist. If patient/resident has a weaker side, spotter must stand on that side (i.e., patient/resident with right-sided paralysis, caregiver stands on their right side), or if patient/resident requires a great amount of assistance more than one caregiver should be holding onto the belt.

Written by Rein Tideiksaar, PhD