How to Safely Turn and Move Your Loved One in Bed Without Causing Skin Tears or Excess Pain

Why Turning in Bed Can Hurt or Damage Skin

When someone has fragile skin, pain, or limited mobility, even a small turn in bed can cause problems if it is done with too much friction or force.

Skin tears and soreness usually happen because of friction and shear. This is when the skin sticks to the sheet while the body underneath is pulled in a different direction. It is most common over bony areas like the hips, shoulders, elbows, and heels.

What often goes wrong is that the person is dragged across the sheet, or only part of their body is moved while the rest stays put. This stretches the skin, causes pain, and can lead to tears, bruising, and pressure injuries.

Using a low-friction surface, moving the whole body together, and avoiding lifting can make turning gentler, safer, and less exhausting.

Before You Start: Safety and Setup

Good preparation prevents most problems. Take a moment to set things up before you move your loved one.

Check the Environment

• Make sure there is enough space on the side of the bed where you will stand.
• Remove extra pillows, heavy blankets, and clutter that might get in the way.
• Flatten the bed as much as possible (head and foot sections down) unless your healthcare provider has advised otherwise.
• Adjust the bed height so it is around the level of your hips to protect your own back.

Talk Through What You Are Doing

• Tell your loved one what you are about to do, step by step.
• Ask them to help as much as they can (bending knees, reaching, or pushing) without causing pain.
• Agree on a simple cue like “Ready, turn now” so you move together.

Key Safety Rules

• Do not lift your loved one. Lift your own body slightly, but let them slide, not be carried.
• Do not pull on arms, shoulders, or fragile skin. Use the Snoozle Slide Sheet and support under larger areas like the hips and shoulders.
• No dangling. Avoid leaving legs or arms hanging unsupported off the bed.
• If a movement feels unsafe or too heavy, stop and seek professional advice.

How to Place the Snoozle Slide Sheet Safely

The Snoozle Slide Sheet is a thin, low-friction sheet that helps the body glide over the bed surface. It is for repositioning in bed only, not for lifting or moving between bed and chair.

When to Use the Snoozle

• When turning someone onto their side.
• When moving them higher up the bed.
• When sliding them a little closer to the edge before sitting up.
• When small adjustments (a few centimetres) are needed without dragging the skin.

Step-by-Step: Getting the Snoozle Under the Torso

If your loved one can roll a little:

1. Ask them to bend their knees slightly if comfortable.
2. Gently roll them a small amount onto one side, supporting their shoulder and hip.
3. Fold the Snoozle Slide Sheet in half lengthways.
4. Place the folded edge along their spine, with the rest of the sheet tucked under their back and hips.
5. Roll them back onto their back, then onto the other side to pull the remaining part of the Snoozle flat under them.
6. Roll them back to a central, comfortable position on top of the Snoozle.

If they cannot roll at all, ask a healthcare professional to show you a safe method before attempting this alone.

How to Turn Someone Onto Their Side Without Skin Tears

This method keeps the body aligned and uses sliding instead of dragging.

Step 1: Position the Legs

• Stand on the side of the bed you want them to face after the turn.
• Ask them to bend their knees if they can. If not, gently bend one or both knees, supporting under the knee and ankle.
• Cross the top leg over the bottom leg in the direction of the turn. This makes the turn easier and reduces strain on the back and hips.

Step 2: Position the Arms

• Move the arm on the side they are turning away from so it is straight down by their side or slightly out, not trapped underneath.
• Place the other arm (the one on the side they are turning towards) across their chest or hold onto the bed rail if available and safe.
• This stops the arm from being pulled or twisted during the turn.

Step 3: Use the Snoozle to Start the Turn

• With the Snoozle already under their torso and hips, stand with your feet apart and knees slightly bent.
• Place one hand on their upper shoulder (not pulling on the skin) and the other hand on the Snoozle at their hip or waist.
• On your agreed cue, gently guide the shoulder and hip together while using the Snoozle to slide their body towards you.
• Let the bent top leg help roll the pelvis; avoid twisting the upper body separately from the hips.

Step 4: Complete and Stabilise the Turn

• Once they are on their side, check that the head, shoulders, hips, and knees are in a straight line.
• Place a pillow or folded blanket behind their back to stop them rolling onto their back again if they need to stay on their side.
• Place a pillow between their knees and ankles to reduce pressure and rubbing between the legs.
• Check that heels, elbows, and ears are not pressed hard into the mattress.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

• Problem: The skin looks dragged or wrinkled under the hip or shoulder.
  Fix: Use the Snoozle to make a small adjustment: gently hold the sheet near the hip and shoulder and slide them a few centimetres until the skin looks smooth.
• Problem: The arm ends up trapped under the body.
  Fix: Roll them slightly back towards you, free the arm, place it forward or on a pillow, then gently roll them back.
• Problem: You feel you are lifting, not sliding.
  Fix: Step closer to the bed, bend your knees, and use your body weight to lean and slide the Snoozle instead of using your arms to lift.

How to Move Someone Higher Up the Bed

Sliding someone up the bed is a common cause of skin shear when done by dragging. Using the Snoozle can make this smoother and safer.

Step-by-Step: Sliding Up the Bed With a Snoozle

1. Make sure the Snoozle is flat under their shoulders, back, and hips.
2. Ask them to bend their knees and press their heels into the mattress if they can help.
3. Stand facing the bed, feet apart, knees slightly bent.
4. Hold the edge of the Snoozle near their hips or upper thighs on both sides (or one side at a time if you are alone).
5. On the count of three, gently lean your body weight backwards while sliding the Snoozle upwards, allowing their body to glide up the bed.
6. Repeat in small movements rather than one big pull, checking their comfort each time.
7. Reposition pillows under the head and knees once they are in the right place.

Helping Someone Move Closer to the Bed Edge

Before sitting up or getting out of bed, your loved one may need to be a little closer to the edge. This should be done with sliding, not dragging.

Step-by-Step: Sliding Sideways Towards the Edge

1. With the Snoozle under their torso and hips, flatten the bed.
2. Ask them to bend their knees if possible.
3. Stand facing the bed, near their hips.
4. Hold the Snoozle near their hip and shoulder on the side you are moving them towards.
5. On your cue, gently slide the Snoozle towards you so their body moves sideways as one unit.
6. Move in small steps, rechecking that their head, shoulders, and hips stay aligned.

Helping Someone Sit Up and Prepare to Get Out of Bed

The Snoozle can help with the in-bed part of getting up, but it is not for lifting or standing. Always prioritise safety and stability.

Step 1: Move Them Near the Edge

Use the sideways sliding method above to bring them closer to the edge where they will get out.

Step 2: Roll Onto Their Side

• Use the turning steps: position legs and arms, then slide and roll them onto their side facing the edge.
• Make sure their bottom arm is in front of them, not trapped.

Step 3: Bring Legs Over the Edge

• Support their top leg at the knee and ankle.
• Slowly guide both legs together over the edge of the bed.
• Keep one hand ready near their hip or shoulder to control the speed of the movement.

Step 4: Help Them Push Up to Sitting

• Ask them to push with their lower arm against the mattress while you support their upper shoulder or trunk.
• As their legs lower off the bed, their body will naturally want to come upright. Guide this movement, do not pull them by the arm.
• Once sitting, make sure both feet are flat on the floor and they feel steady before any attempt to stand.

Important: The Snoozle is only for the sliding part while they are still on the bed. Do not use it to lift them to standing or to transfer to a chair.

Using Pillows and Supports to Protect Skin After Turning

Once your loved one is in the new position, good support helps keep them comfortable and reduces pressure on fragile areas.

• Head and neck: Use a pillow that keeps the neck in line with the spine, not bent up or down.
• Between knees and ankles: Place a pillow between the legs when lying on the side to prevent skin rubbing and reduce hip and back strain.
• Behind the back: A pillow or rolled towel can help maintain a side-lying position.
• Under heels (if advised): Lightly raising the calves so heels float can reduce heel pressure, but only if safe and recommended by a professional.

How the Snoozle Slide Sheet Helps (Without Replacing Care)

The Snoozle Slide Sheet is a simple, low-friction tool that makes small, controlled movements in bed easier and gentler.

• It reduces the friction between the body and the mattress, so the skin does not stick and drag.
• It allows you to move the person in short, smooth slides instead of heavy pulls.
• It lowers the effort needed from you as a caregiver, helping protect your back and shoulders.
• It is thin and soft, so it can stay under the person without feeling bulky, and it is washable for regular home use.

It does not cure pain or skin problems, but when combined with good positioning, regular gentle turns, and medical advice, it can make everyday care more comfortable and less tiring.

When Things Feel Too Hard or Unsafe

If you find that turning or moving your loved one is consistently very difficult, painful for them, or heavy for you, this is a sign to get extra support.

Ask a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist to watch how you move your loved one and show you safer techniques or equipment options for your home.

Related comfort guides

• Effortless Bed Mobility for MS: Using Momentum and Snoozle to Move Without Pain or Fatigue
• Effortless Bed Mobility for Those Living Alone with Pain and Low Energy: Practical Bedroom Planning and Movement Strategies
• Effortless Bed Mobility with Knee Osteoarthritis: How to Move and Get Up Without Aggravating Pain