As carers we often find ourselves doing tasks that we never imagined we would be doing to support the people we love the most, especially with daily living activities. Safety is our focus and in the spirit of April Falls Month, we are sharing information about the resources and training available for carers to build your skills and confidence with manual handing.
Building our confidence is building our strength
It can be quite confronting, in the moment, when we need to use our muscles and physical strength to assist someone with daily activities like going to the toilet, getting out of bed, standing up from an armchair or moving in and out of the shower.
Manual handling covers more than lifting heavy weights. And it is not just about not hurting your back.
It is about the use of muscular force through movements such as:
- lifting
- lowering
- pushing
- pulling
- carrying
- wheeling and
- repetition
This can occur in common situations such as:
- transferring the individual from one place to another
- repositioning them in a bed or chair so that they are comfortable
- assisting them to move around
- getting dressed
- personal care
- at mealtimes.
Always speak with your health professionals about the best ways to carry out these tasks to reduce risk of injury to you and the person you are caring for.
An Occupation Therapist can also support you with strategies to reduce risks.
If they are prescribed equipment, make sure that they show you as a carer you how to safely assist them using it and that you feel confident in doing so.
Manual handling training for Carers
Did you know that Carers NSW offer a Manual Handling Skills Video Series?
The videos are designed for people with good upper body strength who can hold their own weight when standing.
For people living with MND who have more complex needs, speak with your health professional team for advice about manual handling techniques specific to your needs.
The videos are introductory and include:
- Assisting someone to stand up,
- Assisting someone in the shower,
- Assisting someone to roll onto their side,
- Assisting someone to move up the bed and sit on the side of the bed,
- Assisting someone to get in and out of the car,
- And more.
Click on the following link, scroll down and watch the videos: Carer skills program for older people | Carers NSW. But remember… it applies to all of us regardless of age.
There is a supporting fact sheet available here where these videos are embedded.
Carers NSW also offer a FREE six-week program just for carers to help build practical skills on various topics each week for 2 hours.
Don’t have that sort of time?
No worries!
You can just register for a specific week that is of interest to you.
Have a look at Week 5: Moving someone safely, including common transfers and instructional videos.
Click here for more information: Carer Skills | Carers NSW
Carer Gateway has a great resource which provides techniques for moving and handling people. For more information see: Lifting and moving people safely | Carer Gateway
There is also a UK resource that provides some additional information about supporting someone with moving, lifting and handling.
Join the MND NSW Carer Program
As a carer, you provide unpaid emotional, psychological or practical care and support to a family member or friend who is living with an illness or a disability.
Our Carer Program offers support for carers of people living with MND, including young carers.
If you are a carer and haven’t yet had a chance to join the MND NSW Carers Program, click here and Complete our Online Intake Form or call our Info line on 1800 777 175.
We will send you a Service Agreement to review and sign.
The MND NSW Carer Program is FREE to join for all carers supporting a person living with MND.