by Kay Bidwell | Jul 22, 2016 | aging safely, Uncategorized
It’s important to use good technique to perform safe lifting and avoid injury. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, lower back injuries are the most common work-related injury. Many caregivers acquire a back injury when trying to lift or move a client. Safe lifting helps to protect the back while keeping the client and caregiver free of injury. There are important lifting techniques that take strain off the lower back. Safe Lifting Basics • Look over the situation carefully. Decide if you are able to handle the lift or transfer on your own, or if you need assistance. Trying to move someone who is too heavy for you to handle can result in injury to both parties. • Tell the client what you plan to do and how he/she may assist you. • Clear away any potential obstacles that may be in your path. • Moving, or supporting someone will change your balance. Keep the client close to your body and your normal center of gravity. Reaching out too far puts greater strain on the back and may cause you to tip over. • Use good foot position. Your feet should be shoulder width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other. This allows full use of the powerful leg muscles, taking strain off the back. Make sure one foot is pointed in the direction of the move. • Bend your knees. Bending over at the waist puts strain on the back, neck & shoulder muscles. • Keep your arms and elbows as close to your body as possible while lifting. • Use your...
by Kay Bidwell | Jul 11, 2016 | healthy aging, Uncategorized
The incidence of stroke increases with age, but up to 80% of strokes are preventable! While about one-third of stroke victims recover completely, the rest may have to deal with some long-term disability. There is no cure for stroke, but there are steps you can take to help prevent having one, or at least minimize the damage. A stroke occurs when there is a blockage in or a rupture of a blood vessel that cuts off blood flow to the brain. Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and at any time. What happens after a stroke depends on how much of the brain was damaged and where in the brain the stroke occurred. Strokes can be treated with clot-busting drugs and medical devices, but seconds count! The faster the treatment, the more likely one is to recover without permanent damage. Learn the signs of stroke to help you act FAST. The signs are Face drooping, Arm weakness, & Speech difficulty. If these signs are present, it’s Time to call 911! While some risk factors for stroke are beyond your control (age, race & heredity), there are things you can do to reduce your risk. At the top of the list are maintaining a healthy weight, keeping alcohol use moderate and not smoking. Being overweight can cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of diabetes. Both high blood pressure and diabetes are risk factors for stroke. If you enjoy having a drink in the evening, consider drinking red wine. The resveratrol in red wine has been shown to help protect both the brain and...
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