The correct gait belt can be critical to aid in lifting or repositioning a client. Straining to move someone could result in unknowingly tightening one’s grip, and if the client is unable to communicate clearly, you won’t have feedback to make adjustments for comfort. When moving a client or patient, keep your hands flat like a paddle to avoid gripping the patient's arms or legs, which could cause unintentional bruising. This may involve participating in classes that demonstrate techniques for transfers and using transfer tools that match the client’s condition. It is important to practice proper lifting techniques at all times so that they become second nature, regardless of who is being transferred.
Use the Right Tool at the Right Time-There are several products available that can assist caregivers with transfers that will increase the client’s safety and comfort while reducing the risk of injury to the caregiver.Īt times we can become over-confident when we need to move a client who is smaller than us, but this can be dangerous since we can easily let our guard down. Keeping the legs locked puts a high-level of pressure on the body, which may lead to inflammation or worse. Maintain stable footing and a slight bend in the knees, and then bend with just the lower-back. Bend So You Don’t Break-Caregivers often keep their legs locked. Think about how not to become a human pretzel-do not twist and pivot in a way that makes you unstable or puts additional strain on your lower back. Think Before You Move-Too often caregivers begin to move or lift a client without first thinking through what they need to accomplish and what position the patient should end up in. Size Doesn’t Matter-Even if you are larger in height or weight than the person you are lifting, you still need to practice caution and smart lifting techniques. When initiating a transfer there are some key steps to keep in mind to help reduce the risk of injury. An additional challenge of transfers is that they must also focus on the patient's current condition (including possible injuries or diseases), and limitations on their ability to help in any way. These include, but are not limited to, caregivers from hospitals, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities, emergency first responders and homecare agencies. Transferring a patient properly and safely is one of the most challenging tasks for caregivers across a wide variety of health care industries. CAREGIVER LIFING PATIENT PROFESSIONAL
If the caregiver is a paid professional who, for example, may work for an agency, assisted living center or hospital, those injuries can lead to missed work, physical therapy sessions or higher expenses in worker’s compensation claims and medical bills. In the case of a family member providing care, the impact can be even greater. While a primary objective is to ensure the safety of the patient, it’s also important that the caregiver take measures to protect themselves to avoid personal injuries. Providing care for a client-while rewarding in many ways-is also physically demanding on both the caregiver and the client.
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