The Oxford Switch is a manual stand aid for clients who have some weight bearing ability and can hold the handles, but cannot get from sitting to standing without help. The person pulls up through the frame while the shin pad holds their lower legs steady, then turns on the spot to the chair, commode or wheelchair.
Because the person does the standing themselves, each transfer is a small piece of strengthening work, and clients who use it regularly often keep their standing ability longer. For the carer, the frame takes the load that would otherwise go through their back, and there is no battery to charge or motor to service.
It splits into two parts for the boot of a car and for storage in a tight bathroom, which makes it practical for community teams moving between houses. The shin pad adjusts to suit the person’s height.
Assessment matters here, since not every client is a safe candidate.
