Turning someone in bed is best as a two-person job. If the person can help, you may be able to do it yourself. If the person cannot help, have a family member or friend help you. It is easier for two people to turn someone, and it can be dangerous for one person to do it.

It is best to turn the person every 2 hours. Before getting started, tell the person that you want them to roll into another position. If they have any drains, tubes, or other medical equipment, adjust these so they don't get in the way.

If the person can help

• Have the person scoot toward the opposite side of the bed so that they will have room to roll. Help them, if needed.
• Go to the side of the bed you want them to roll toward.
• Ask them to lie on their back with their knees bent. Have them place their arms across their body.
• Ask them to roll toward you while keeping their knees bent. If you have a rail on the bed, have them reach toward the rail.
• Help them as needed. Gently place your hands on the shoulders and hips, and guide the person toward you.

If the person can't help

Get someone to help you. You will be using a drawsheet, so learn how to make and position a drawsheet.

Follow these steps to turn the person in bed.

1. Stand on opposite sides of the bed. Your assistant will be on one side, and you will be on the other side. If the person you are turning is in a hospital bed, lower the height of the bed. This will make it easier to turn the person.
2. Untuck the drawsheet on both sides of the bed.
3. Make sure the person is high enough up in the bed. If not, you can use the drawsheet to lift them toward the head of the bed. To do this,
   • You and your assistant each will gather up one side of the drawsheet so you both have a "handle" to grab.
   • Be sure that you and your assistant have your feet shoulder-width apart. This will help you avoid straining your back.
   • Agree on a count, and then lift and move them up and to the side of the bed they will be rolling away from.
4. Tuck in the drawsheet on the side of the bed that the person will roll toward.
5. Position the person. Help them lie on their back with their knees bent. If they can't bend their knees, cross one ankle over the other in the direction of the turn. Position their arms across their body.
6. Start to roll the person onto their side. One of you will pull, and the other will push. Be sure that you and your assistant have your feet shoulder-width apart to help avoid straining your backs.
   • If you're pulling the person toward you, lean from your hips (don't bend your back), reach over the person, and grab the drawsheet at their hip and shoulder areas. Slowly pull the drawsheet toward you to roll the person over.
   • If you're rolling them away from you, slowly push at the hip and shoulder areas.
7. Smooth out the drawsheet and tuck it in.