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 feet to change direction. Walk or pivot the client to the new position without twisting your body. Twisting adds stress and affects balance.
• To lower someone down, bend your knees, keeping your back straight.
• If lifting with another person, be sure to communicate well so that everyone knows what to do and when.
Helping Someone Sit Up in Bed
• If the client is not strong enough to push up with his or her hands to a sitting position, place one of your arms under the client’s legs and your other arm under his or her back.
• Move the client’s legs over the edge of the bed while pivoting his or her body so he/she ends up sitting on the edge of the bed.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees bent and your back in a natural straight alignment.
Helping Someone Stand Up
• If the client uses a wheelchair, put the wheelchair close to the bed or wherever he/she is sitting and lock the wheels.
• If the client needs assistance getting into the chair, face him/her, place your feet shoulder-width apart, and bend your knees.
• Position the client’s feet on the floor and slightly apart. His/her hands should be on the bed or on your shoulders.
• Place your arms around the client’s back and clasp your hands together. Nurses, physical therapists, and others in hospitals often use lifting belts, which are fastened around a patient’s waist. The caregiver grasps the belt when lifting the patient.
• Hold the client close to you, lean back and shift your weight.
Helping Someone Sit Down
• Pivot toward the chair, bend your knees, and lower the client into the chair.
• The client should have both hands on the arms of the chair before lowering him or her down.
Safety of the client and caregiver are important considerations whenever a client needs mobility assistance. Taking the time to think about the move and how to best position yourself to lift safely will help to insure injury-free assistance.
Safety of the client and caregiver are important considerations whenever a client needs mobility assistance. Taking the time to think about the move and how to best position yourself to lift safely will help to insure injury-free assistance.
Recent Comments