Four Tips for Moving Your Senior When She Can’t Move Herself
As your senior gets closer to the end of her life, she’s likely far less able to remain mobile on her own. That doesn’t mean that she doesn’t need to move, though. It can fall to you and to others to help her to move, but you need to make sure you’re doing so as safely as possible.
Your Back Is Going to Be Vulnerable
Almost everyone has heard that when you’re lifting, you need to use your legs instead of your back. That’s because your back is vulnerable to twisting and straining. It’s really important that even if you’ve never mastered the art of proper lifting before that you do so now. Bend at your knees and let the large muscles in your legs help you to do what the smaller muscles of your back can’t do. Make sure that you don’t lean over while you lift because that’s just going to keep your back in danger.
Understand What You Can and Can’t Do
When you know your limitations, that can keep you from trying to do something you already knew was going to be too much. As a caregiver, you can’t put yourself out of commission with an injury. Get a solid idea of what you already are able to do and what’s outside of your abilities and then make sure that you respect those boundaries that you’ve discovered.
Step Close to Your Senior Before Attempting to Move or Lift Her
When it’s time to make some moves, make sure that you’re standing close to your senior before you try to move or to lift her. If you’re too far away, you’re increasing the amount of lifting that you’ll have to do. Also, make sure that you brace yourself and place your feet carefully. You want them to be about shoulder-width apart and one foot to be in front of the other by a little bit. This helps you to keep your balance.
Take Your Time and Be Sure Before Lifting
Do make sure also that when you’re about to lift or move your senior, you take your time and be sure you’re ready before you actually lift. If you rush, you’re going to find that you make more mistakes and you leave yourself open to injury. When you allow yourself to take your time, you ensure that you’re doing everything you need to do.
Hospice care providers can show you more lifting techniques that can keep yourself and your senior safe. They can also take over those duties if they’re beyond what you’re able to do at this point.
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