If your senior parent has trouble getting in and out of bed or needs help transferring from bed to chair, you need to know how to keep your mom or dad and yourself safe while helping them transfer.
Personal care at home is a wonderful service to have if you aren’t comfortable helping your senior loved one transfer. The care providers that specialize in personal care at home have training in different transfer methods and the correct use of transfer aids like a Hoyer lift.
Both you and your senior parent could suffer from serious injuries if a transfer goes wrong. So, if you are the least bit uncomfortable or unsure about transferring call today to find out more about personal care at home and let professionals help your loved one.
Some other things that you should do to keep you and your senior parent safe while transferring are:
Use Proper Body Mechanics
Making sure that you use proper body mechanics, such as bending at the knees instead of the waist and keeping your mom or dad close to your body, reduces the risk of injury. This minimizes the chance of slips, falls, and strain on you. There’s less chance that your senior parent will slip and become injured. And there’s less chance that you will hurt yourself trying to help them, especially if they are unable to assist in moving their own body weight.
Utilize Assistive Devices
Devices like transfer belts, sliding boards, and lifts provide additional support and stability during the transfer process. They help prevent falls and provide a controlled way to move your senior loved one from one position to another, reducing the risk of accidents.
Personal care at home can be a big help when it comes to using assistive devices. They can also help you learn how to use them effectively.
Ensure a Clear Path for the Transfer
Before transferring, check that the area is free from obstacles, clutter, and tripping hazards. A clear path helps prevent accidents and ensures a smooth transition, reducing the risk of stumbling or colliding with objects.
If you are helping your mom or dad transfer into a wheelchair make sure the chair is in the proper position and locked so that it doesn’t move when your senior parent puts their weight in the chair.
Announce What You’re Doing Before You Do It
Telling your parent what to expect and coordinating their movements with yours can help them feel more secure and less anxious. Clear communication helps them prepare for the transfer, which can prevent sudden movements that might lead to falls or injuries.
If your mom or dad can assist in the transfer telling them in advance what movements you’re going to do and what they need to do can help them prepare to help you as much as possible.
Adjust the Height of Transfer Surfaces
To make transferring safer always raise or lower one surface so that they are equal heights. For example, if you are helping your mom or dad from bed to a chair and the chair has a fixed height adjust the bed to the height of the chair so the transfer is easier and safer.
Aligning the heights of the surfaces involved in the transfer can reduce the need for lifting and shifting. This alignment minimizes the physical effort required and lowers the risk of injury from awkward positioning or excessive strain.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Douglasville, GA, please contact the caring staff at Arose Home Care Services LLC today at (404) 720-5385
At Arose Home Care Services, LLC, we provide exceptional medical and non-medical home care for seniors and families in Carrollton, Marietta, Douglasville, Acworth, Fayetteville, Powder Springs, Hiram, Lithia Springs, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas in Georgia.
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