Save Your Back With These Transfer Tips
/One of the biggest complaints that caregivers have is back pain from helping those they are caring for move from place to place. Whether its transferring somebody who is entirely immobile, or just helping somebody stand up from a chair, if you are not conscience of your posture and the muscles you are using to do so, you may are at risk of injuring yourself.
Transfer techniques vary with the situation. Different transfer techniques and possibly devices depend on the level of assistance the person needs. If a person needs maximum assistance, or they are 50% or less weight bearing, you may want to look into using a mechanical lift. A gait belt can be useful with somebody who needs moderate and even minimal assistance with the transfer.
It is very helpful to use verbal cues in order to let the person you are transferring know what you are going to be doing next if they are in need of minimum or moderate assistance.
Higher seating as well as chairs with arm rests can be useful, as well. When lifting somebody, it is important to keep you neck and back aligned in natural position and to not lift from the waist.
Bending the knees when lifting helps you stay conscience of what muscles you are using and to ensure that you are lifting with primarily your leg muscles and not your back muscles and as a result avoid back injury.
If the person is being transferred to or out of a wheelchair, make sure the wheels are always locked during the transfer!
Pivot with your feet instead of turning at the waist.
You and the person you are transferring should always be wearing proper footwear!
To learn more about safe transfer techniques, click here.