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Family caregivers, and those in the caregiving professions, are at great risk of back injury while helping others transfer to and from beds, chairs, and toilets. With others depending on you for care, it is important to minimize your risk of injury. There are two things you can do. First, learn the basics about preventing back injuries and second, investigate assistive devices that can reduce your physical involvement in their movement.
If you are taking care of a spouse or family member at home, you are at greatest risk for back pain when you are:
- Pulling a person who is reclining in bed into a sitting position.
- Transferring a person from a bed to a chair.
- Leaning over a person for long periods of time
Here are a few tips that are commonly given by experts and articles on injury prevention:
- Maintain the proper alignment of your head and neck with your spine.
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart to maintain your balance.
- Use the muscles in your legs to lift and/or pull, not your back or arms.
- Face the person you are assisting and position them close to you.
- Avoid twisting your body when moving or carrying a person.
- Make sure you are wearing sturdy, nonskid shoes when helping someone walk or move.
- Never ask someone to hold onto your neck to assist with a transfer.
There are devices and equipment that can make both of your lives easier and safer. Some common devices are canes, crutches, walkers, commode chairs, hospital beds, seat lift mechanisms, and wheelchairs. There are other devices that you may not be aware of such as toilet seat risers which add about five inches in height making it easier to move from sitting to standing, and plastic shower chairs that allow a person to sit in the shower while using the shower hose to bathe. Canvas transfer belts, worn around the waist, allows you to hold onto the person while they walk, and items such as transfer discs or cushions that reduce friction making it easier to twist or turn the person. Medicare usually covers some of these items and others can be purchased from a medical supply store. Talk with your family member’s physician to see what may be most suitable.
Besides using proper lifting and carrying techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises can also decrease the risk of injury by providing strength and stability to the muscles in your back. For information on stretches and exercises, go to our website www.healthworksrf.com. Click on the link in the left side column labeled “Stretching and Exercises. For support and additional information please see www.thefamilycaregiver.org.
In the event that you do injure your back, seek care as soon as possible. Ask your physician about physical therapy. Physical therapy can speed your recovery time so you can be there to care for your loved one. Not only would physical therapy help resolve your symptoms, but a physical therapist can work with you individually to help you reduce the risk of future injuries.
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