Helpful tips for safe lifting and moving

Situations may arise when you need to lift your loved one, to help them move from the bed to a seat, wheelchair, or commode, or to shift them further up the bed. When lifting your loved one, the most important thing is to not cause injury to them or yourself. For carers, back strains are the most common injury and if you hurt your back it will take time to heal and reduce your ability  to care for your loved one. For the one being moved, problems such as skin tears, lacerations, joint injuries or even falls can occur if the lifting is not well prepared or undertaken with care.

Before doing any lifting, always check the area is safe and clutter free and that you have room to manoeuvre. Prepare everything you need before you start, to help the movement be as smooth and safe as possible. There are a number of proven aids to help you move or lift and make the process safer, such as:

• Riser-recliner chairs can help people get standing on their own.
• A standing aid such as a ‘Sara Stedy’ is useful for people who don’t have the power to stand unaided and keeps them balanced once up.
• A rotunda transfer platform can be used for someone who can stand fairly well but needs help transferring between beds and chairs or commodes.
• Wheelchairs are not just for those who can’t walk, they can be useful if someone gets tired easily or cannot walk a long way.
• Slide sheets are a cheap and useful way to help move someone back up a reclining bed.
• An adjustable hospital bed is best if someone needs personal care and extended bed-rest.
• A monkey lifting pole attachment for a bed can help independent sitting or moving up in a bed, if the person has enough upper body strength.
• An electric hoist can be used to move a very immobile or bed-bound person to and from beds, chairs, showers and baths or even off the floor in an emergency.

How to lift:

• Keep your feet stable, flat and shoulder width apart.
• Bend your knees and have a straight back - think how bodybuilders lift!
• Keep weight as close to your body as possible (this helps with the centre of gravity and stability).
• Try to lift as much of the weight as possible using your legs to avoid injury.
• Lift smoothly and in as few moves as possible (If it’s not smooth don’t lift - it should be manageable and not hard!)
• Keep the lift low - you shouldn’t be lifting above your shoulder height.
• Take your time and count the lift in with a ‘ready, steady, lift’. This helps you coordinate the lift with others, to prepare the momentum and keeps your loved one informed.
• To stay safe and in control of the movement, lift your loved one from the hips or as close as you can.
• Ensure that your loved one is wearing slippers or grip socks if they will be helped into a standing position. Beware of the combination of compression tights and non-carpeted floors, this can be deadly.
• Not all equipment, movements or lifts can be undertaken with one person, it is important to have as many people as are needed.
• Do NOT lift someone from under the arms - this can be painful and injure them.
• Do NOT drag people up a bed without using moving aids as this can easily cause injury to everyone involved.

Depending on where you’re located, your local council may be obliged to help keep caregivers from harm, and avoid health and safety risks. They may also provide free equipment, whether it be a hoist, wheelchair, bed or slide sheets. Have a look at your local council’s webpage for more information or your healthcare team will be able to advise. If you are buying equipment yourself it is important to involve the healthcare team in your decisions and ensure that you buy sound, proven equipment from a reliable provider.