Supervised sitting to the edge of the bed

This technique is only suitable for clients with adequate upper limb strength and trunk stability. Before starting, lower the bed to the appropriate height for the client if possible. Ask the client to: 

1. Bend at the knees 

2. Roll on to their side by turning their head in the direction of the roll, placing their outside arm across their chest and rotating their flexed knees in the direction of the roll 

3. Push up into a side‑sitting position by placing their outside hand flat on the bed to push and getting their inside arm to push up using their elbow, putting their legs over the side of the bed at the same time 

4. At this point the client can put their legs over the side of the bed, and with feet flat on the floor move themselves sideways up the bed or stand up and walk with or without a walking aid. A slide sheet could help the client to move their feet to the edge of the bed at Step 3. 

A bed lever could help the client to push themselves up to sitting at Step 4. If the client is in an electric bed, raising the head of the bed can assist with sitting up