Moving and Handling People on Wheelchair
- By John Schofield
- Published 03/14/2010
- Wellness, Fitness and Diet
- Unrated
There are reasons why some people become immobilized and dependent to their wheelchair for their mobility. Sometimes disabilities struck them due to illnesses, accidents or even by congenital defects. Old people also tend to become easily immobilize once serious cases of rheumatism, arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, and other disabilities affect their physical health. While some people may depend on nurses or caregivers to take care of their sick family member while at home, some families prefer to take care of their loved ones themselves. In this manner, the person who will be taking care of the sick person must have the basic knowledge on moving and handling people to avoid further injury not only to the sick person but also to him as the caregiver.
Assisting a person in a wheelchair would be the most common activity that a caregiver will do especially when the disabled person needs to get out of his bed from time to time. In this case, the aid must know how to place himself in proper position and how to carry the body of the person so that transport from bed to wheelchair and vice versa would be safer and smooth.
First, the aid must know the basic accessories of the wheelchair because this would be the confinement of the disabled person while he or she is out of the bed. Basically, all wheelchairs have their removable armrests, folding backrest, removable or retractable footrests, cushions, tipping levers, trays, molded inserts, lever brakes, and lap straps. The caregiver must know how all these accessories function because if any of these accessories are not on the right position while doing the transfer, problems could result.
So considering that you are the caregiver, you have to remember that moving and handling people requires you to always make a risk assessment first before doing the transfer. You have to know the person’s weight and size as well as the capacity of the wheelchair. Also ask the
disabled person if he or she can use his hands for extra support while you assist him from bed to wheelchair or vice versa. Before doing the transfer, bring the wheelchair closer to the bed and make sure the brakes are properly secured and the armrests and backrests are already positioned. Remember that when lifting the person avoid stooped postures so that you would not have a back injury. Try to maintain a straight spine as well and use your legs in lifting.
Properly set your feet wide apart the same space as with your shoulders and keep your body in balance while your leg muscles lift or pull the patient from the bed. The person must be facing you and ask him to place his hands on your shoulders. Your hands must be supporting the patient’s back while pulling him closer to your body. Once the arms of the patients are on your shoulder and your arms supporting his back lean slowly further so that both your bodies move in the same direction towards the edge of the bed.
Sit the person near the edge of the bed while his feet are now near the wheelchair. Bring the wheelchair closer and tell the person if he can hold on to the armrest while you lift him onto the seat of the wheelchair. As you are facing the person, put your hands under his arms and clasp your hands together and use your leg muscles and arms to lift his body and gently sit him in the chair. See that the he must be holding on to the chair’s armrest while transferring him in. Always remember that you have to keep your body straight to support your spine while doing this. Now when you need to put back the person into the bed, do the same procedures in lifting but once he is seated at the edge of the bed, ready his pillow and with you facing him support his head with your left hand while your right hand is under his arm and supporting his back and gently lay him to the bed.
If you want to know more about how to move and handle disabled people, there are free trainings as well as hands-on trainings with minimum fees that are offered by hospitals and medical institutions. You can always contact them and inquire.
Assisting a person in a wheelchair would be the most common activity that a caregiver will do especially when the disabled person needs to get out of his bed from time to time. In this case, the aid must know how to place himself in proper position and how to carry the body of the person so that transport from bed to wheelchair and vice versa would be safer and smooth.
First, the aid must know the basic accessories of the wheelchair because this would be the confinement of the disabled person while he or she is out of the bed. Basically, all wheelchairs have their removable armrests, folding backrest, removable or retractable footrests, cushions, tipping levers, trays, molded inserts, lever brakes, and lap straps. The caregiver must know how all these accessories function because if any of these accessories are not on the right position while doing the transfer, problems could result.
So considering that you are the caregiver, you have to remember that moving and handling people requires you to always make a risk assessment first before doing the transfer. You have to know the person’s weight and size as well as the capacity of the wheelchair. Also ask the
Properly set your feet wide apart the same space as with your shoulders and keep your body in balance while your leg muscles lift or pull the patient from the bed. The person must be facing you and ask him to place his hands on your shoulders. Your hands must be supporting the patient’s back while pulling him closer to your body. Once the arms of the patients are on your shoulder and your arms supporting his back lean slowly further so that both your bodies move in the same direction towards the edge of the bed.
Sit the person near the edge of the bed while his feet are now near the wheelchair. Bring the wheelchair closer and tell the person if he can hold on to the armrest while you lift him onto the seat of the wheelchair. As you are facing the person, put your hands under his arms and clasp your hands together and use your leg muscles and arms to lift his body and gently sit him in the chair. See that the he must be holding on to the chair’s armrest while transferring him in. Always remember that you have to keep your body straight to support your spine while doing this. Now when you need to put back the person into the bed, do the same procedures in lifting but once he is seated at the edge of the bed, ready his pillow and with you facing him support his head with your left hand while your right hand is under his arm and supporting his back and gently lay him to the bed.
If you want to know more about how to move and handle disabled people, there are free trainings as well as hands-on trainings with minimum fees that are offered by hospitals and medical institutions. You can always contact them and inquire.
John Schofield
Moving and handling risk assessment Moving and handling training
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