Supervised turning or rolling

Encourage the client to turn using verbal prompts. Ask them to: 

1. Turn their head in the direction of the turn or roll 

2. Move their inside arm out from the side of their body or place it across their chest to stop them rolling onto it. Flex their outside knee so they are ready to push off with their foot in the direction of the roll Note: If they cannot bend their knee, they probably need more than supervision 

3. Put their outside arm across their chest in the direction of the roll, so they are ready to reach over or hold on to the edge of the mattress (or hold on to a bed lever, bed pole or cot sides if available) 

4. Roll over by pushing off with their outside foot and reaching across their body with their outside hand (or by pulling on the lever, rail or pole with their outside hand). 

Turning or rolling in bed 

Repositioning clients in bed is a high‑risk activity for carers. Any client requiring repositioning should be on an electric profiling bed or a bed that is height adjustable. Perform all client handling tasks on a bed with the bed positioned to the correct working height. The mattress should be at the carer’s hip level so that the carer’s knuckles can rest easily on the bed. 

If a bed is not height adjustable, some of the techniques may need modification. Before rolling the client, check the client’s condition. Consider extra measures if they: 

• Are confused, agitated or uncooperative 

• Have multiple injuries or pathology 

• Are attached to medical equipment 

• Have frail shoulder, hip or knee joints 

• Have had recent hip surgery (if so, immobilise the hip joint with strategically placed pillows) 

• Are obese. 

Always turn the client towards you. Direct the turn or roll with your hands on the client’s outside shoulder and hip. These are the key points of contact. Make sure the client is not too close to the edge of the bed before turning.