Activities of Daily Living (Getting in and out of bed, standing up from a chair, going up/down stairs)

Need physiotherapy but can’t get to a clinic? We bring the clinic to you.

Getting in and out of bed and other activities of daily living like getting up from a chair or getting dressed can be challenging for some seniors and when you have a neurological condition. By assessing how you perform these activities your physiotherapist can give you some tips on how to make these activities easier and safer.

What does a physiotherapist look for?

Your physiotherapist will assess your strength and mobility to ensure you can safely and independently perform these transfers:

  • Re-position yourself and/or turn over onto your side in bed
  • Sit up from bed from a lying down position
  • Lie down in bed from a sitting position
  • Stand up and sit down from a chair
  • Going up and down the stairs

Follow these steps to get in and out of bed easier

To move from lying on your back to sitting up (make sure you are not too close to the edge of the bed before starting):

  • Start by bending your knees and then roll unto your side
  • Slide your legs off the edge of bed with knees bent.
  • Push up with your arms, using the legs as a counter weight and sit up.
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Bed Transfers Printable Guide

Click to download

Follow these steps to stand up from a chair

 Position yourself to sit closer towards the front edge of the chair

Try this: You can either scoot yourself forwards or lean back to slide yourself forwards

Bend your knees as far as you can (to 90 degrees or more)

Common error: Knees are not bent enough. The further your feet are away from your body, the harder it will be to stand up

Keep your feet shoulder width apart

If the feet are too close together you will not have good support once you are standing up

Lean forwards and then stand up by extending your knees, hips and back

Common error: If you are not leaning forwards while attempting to stand up, you will lose your balance backwards

  • Try this: If the chair is very low you can use your arms to help push your body up off the chair
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Sit to Stand Printable Guide

Click to download

Going up and down Stairs

Here are some helpful tips to remember when going up or down the stairs

  • Use railings for extra support (when possible)
  • When going up one foot at a time: always step up with your stronger leg first
  • When going down one foot at a time: always step down with your weak leg first
  • Don’t rush. We make mistakes when we rush
  • Ask for help if you feel unsteady

  • Do we have the necessary equipment like a table, TENS machine, etc.?

    YES WE DO. We bring all the required tools with us.

  • Do we provide receipts for insurance and income tax purposes?

    YES, WE DO. We have a computerized system for record keeping, and we provide all the necessary documents.

  • Do our therapists have physiotherapy licenses?

    YES, THEY DO. All our therapists are licenced with the OPPQ and keep up to date with continuing education courses.

  • Are our services affordable?

    YES, THEY ARE. We have reasonable fees to make it possible for more people to have access to our services. 

  • How many sessions will I need?

    DEPENDS ON YOUR EVALUATION. Once your evaluation is completed we will create a treatment plan that is unique to your situation.