The increased attention to the position of their body increases the risk of startle reactions during transfers. The temptation to hurry through a transfer needs to be avoided. When the transfer is done slowly, they can cooperate because their slow information processing speed is accommodated.
The ability to lift and hold usually slows caregivers down enough to wait for the lift. Moving quickly after that can still cause a startle reaction.
While bathing or changing incontinence pads, the position of the person's body must be moved by the caregiver. Startle reactions are common when the person does not know they are going to be moved.
Startle reactions are prevented by tactile and verbal commands followed by waiting for the information to be processed by the person, which can take up to 20 seconds.