Techniques for assisting elderly invalid to rise, sit, stand, etc.?
I’m a full-time caretaker for my elderly (80 years old today – happy birthday, Ma!) invalid mother. She has extremely limited mobility and needs assistance to get out of bed, in and out of her wheelchair, on and off her portable potty, etc. It’s gotten harder and harder lately to help her, and at the rate we’re going, I’M going to end up crippled from the physical exertion (I ain’t no spring chicken myself…).
When she’s been in the hospital, I have seen 100-pound Filipino nurses routinely and seemingly effortlessly haul her around, up, and down like a rag doll (and my mother is not a small woman), so I know sheer strength isn’t the key – positioning, technique, leverage, etc. is. Are there any websites, books, etc. that might describe (and illustrate) the best methods to keep her safe and keep ME out of traction?
It is easy to injure yourself, and maybe your mom, if you don’t learn how to do help her move properly. I think it is great that you want to learn to use good ‘body mechanics’. With some instruction and supervised practice you should be able to learn the ‘tricks’.
Check with the local Chapter of your American Red Cross to see if they offer ‘caregiver’ courses. If not, check with our local Area Agency on Aging to see which agency offers these classes.
Here are some websites that you can search for more information:
National Family Caregiver Support Program
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.aspx
Family Care NavigatorSM
State-by-State Help for Family Caregivers
Family Caregiver Alliance
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp
ElderStay@home
Caregiver training programs
http://www.elderstayathome.com/
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