In transferring a resident with left-sided weakness, where should you place a chair to assist the move?

• A. The resident's right side
• B. The resident's left side
• C. At the foot of the bed
• D. In the bathroom

Answer: (A)

Focusing on safety during a transfer, you want the resident to use their stronger side to push and guide the movement. With left-sided weakness, the right side is the stronger one, so placing the chair on the resident’s right side, close to the bed, gives a stable surface to push toward and sit into. This positioning lets the resident use the stronger leg and arm to assist the transfer, reducing the risk of losing balance or falling. A chair at the foot of the bed or in the bathroom doesn’t provide the needed directional support and can create hazards or an awkward path for the transfer. Putting the chair on the left (weaker) side would require the weak side to bear weight during the move, which is unsafe.