Columbia Aged Care

Lifting and transferring your loved ones can often be a difficult task for many caregivers. If the wrong techniques are implemented then caregivers are at risk of injuring themselves or their loved one. That is why it’s so important for caregivers to learn safe lifting techniques.

Aged Carer has provided some tips on how to safely lift and transfer your loved one without injuring them or yourself.

1. Encourage your loved one to participate
If your loved one is able to, ask them to move to the edge of the chair and push up from the seat. This will help exercise their mobility and muscle strength as well as reduce the risk of injury.

2. Use transfer devices and lifting equipment
Always try to avoid lifting your loved one by yourself. Use equipment such as slide sheets, hoists, lifters, slings and powered lift chairs.

3. Use proper body mechanics
Never lift your loved one by bending your back. Always ensure that your knees are bent and your back is kept straight.

4. Don’t lift under the arms!
Avoid lifting your loved one from under their arms as you may become unbalanced or risk injuring yourself. Your loved ones can often experience discomfort or shoulder injuries when pulled up by the arms. You should support your loved one by placing one hand on their shoulder and the other on their lower back.

Caregivers can seek additional advice on the best lifting equipment and techniques from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

Read the full article here.

As people age, some everyday activities can become difficult or even dangerous. Stairs can present a hazard for elderly people, and are often the cause of falls.

Falls can be traumatic and damaging to health, but they are a preventable accident. Aging Parents Authority has provided some great tips to make stairs safer for seniors.

• Stairs should be well lit, with a light switch near the top and bottom of the staircase.
• Remove any thick carpet on stairs. It can make stair climbing more difficult for the elderly.
• Remove tripping hazards on and around the staircase. This includes small toys, throw rugs or nails sticking up that shoes could catch on.
• Install a sturdy hand railing.
• Seniors should not climb stairs while carrying items that they cannot see over or around.
• Get in shape for stair climbing. Walking, leg stretching and balancing exercises can help build both strength and confidence, which will aid in climbing stairs.
• Consider installing a chair lift. They are now easier to install and use than in the past. If the previous tips are not sufficient, the elderly person may require a chair lift.

If you suspect that there is a hidden problem that is preventing the senior from successfully climbing stairs, see a doctor. Such health problems could be inner ear infections, which affect balance, or arthritis causing stiff, painful joints.

A few simple measures can make a big difference to the safety of staircases.

Read the full article HERE.