How to get loved one to use Gait Belt?

These are good strategies. Thanks for the his info.

Great ideas, Ryan! Definitely try making the gait belt look for fashionable than functional, even though you know it’s true purpose.

Validating your loved one’s feeling is a great start.

A tactic is to ensure the belt is worn low enough on her waist and that it is snug enough to allow one to two fingers to just fit between the belt and mom. Any tighter, you will get resistance from her. Too loose, it will slide up and make it very uncomfortable under her breast line, also causing resistance.

Additionally, it helps explaining to her what you are doing prior to just applying the belt - maybe even ask her to help put it on, giving her a sense of control/power.

I have often told my patients that I use the belt to hold on to while we dance from one chair to the next (transferring). Make it something Relatable to her and she will more likely use it and complete the Task.

Hi Melissa, another couple suggestions.

As Marie mentioned it is important to acknowledge your loved ones concerns. Often times we hear that Gait Belts are uncomfortable or inconvenient, both of which can be true!

One strategy could be to explain the gait belt is for YOUR benefit. That it would really ensure your safety and it would be doing you a favor if they would wear it.

Another may be to customize it, decorate or purchase a colorful gait belts which can be found on amazon.

If there is a doctor or someone they respect, you could say that they are "prescribing" or asking that your loved one wears it.

Hope that helps.

Thank you, Ms. Marie.

Sometimes the best way to talk to people is to agree with the dislike. You empathize with them. You take on their complaint and then minimize the most extreme results of not using the gait belt. “ yeah, it’s really inconvenient. I bet you won’t die from a fall. I mean, right, it’s too hard for you to use!” Stay quiet. Let them vent. Most people turn around their rejection of the belt and offer to try it. The more you say they can’t “do something cause it’s too difficult for them” the natural turn around is that “No it’s easy. I can” from them. Then ask well how do you think you could make it easier for ME( you the caregiver.) Also remember that having this talk when the loved one is angry isn’t the best time. Do use the belt if they are on the ground and have fallen. Try conversations over and over again later.