Is your loved one using mobility devices such as wheelchairs or canes? Whether they use these aids for short-term or long-term, they will benefit from some form of assistance.
As a home health agency in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, we say that safety is the first consideration when assisting persons with mobility devices. It’s not only for the safety of the one using mobility devices, but for your safety as well. After all, you cannot be of much help to them if you hurt yourself along the way.
Here are some tips to consider.
- Learn and practice proper body mechanics in transferring or lifting a person with a mobility device. Body mechanics mean the correct body posture in relation to the patient you’re going to help. Here are some guidelines to observe correct body mechanics when transferring a person from their bed to the wheelchair:
- Position the wheelchair closest to the bed as possible and ensure that the wheelchair wheels are locked.
- Roll the person on their stronger side.
- Get them to the upright position while moving their legs to the side of the bed where the wheelchair is.
- Help the person to stand and pivot them to the stronger leg that can hold their weight.
- If the person is heavier for you, use transfer aids or seek assistance from providers of Health Care in Massachusetts.
- Always walk alongside the person whenever they’re moving about. Stay on their back or side when they walk to their room, up the stairs, or outdoors. Here are further tips:
- When your loved one is going down the stairs, position yourself in front of them.
- Remind your loved one to always step with their stronger leg first.
- Ensure that you reduce the possibilities of falls. Clear up the pathway. Let them wear non-skid shoes. Check the strength of the mobility aids.
With the above tips, we hope that you find better ways to assist your loved one. You can also seek help from providers of in-home care in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. For recommendations on trusted assistants, call NonaCare, LLC.
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