HANDS AND HEARTS HOME CARE
1213 State St. Cayce, SC 29033
“Performing Safe Transfers ”
When caring for someone who has a disability that affects his ability to transfer from one surface to another, lifting will be involved. This might be necessary to perform hygiene or us therapeutic equipment. When lifting a person with a handicap, it is important to use proper techniques to avoid injury to yourself and the person being lifted. Proper lifting not only involves the physical act, but also preparation.
1. Adjust the environment appropriately.
2. Have the right number of people doing the lifting. Use the person’s weight and height as well as your strengths to determine the correct number of people.
3. Use the proper technique to lift. When using two people, one person should support the patient under the shoulders and the other person provides support behind the legs just above the knees, use caution not to pull and lift on shoulder and knee joints that may already be weak. Depending on the size of the patient, one person transfers should be done holding the patient as you would a baby or small child by placing one arm behind the shoulders and back and the other ann under the knees.
4. Use your arm and leg strength to do the lifting, not your back. Never twist at the torso, instead use your feet to get you where you need to go, even if it just one step away.
5. Always keep the person you are lifting close to your body, this lowers the amount of physical strength you have to use and also makes it less likely that you will lose your grip. This also allows the person you are lifting to feel more comfortable.
6. Never leave someone with a disability alone on a surface with no safety precautions to keep him from falling off. This is especially important of the person has movement, or seizures that cannot be controlled. A fall could result in serious injury.
7. When possible use lifts, transfer boards or sheets, adjustable beds and gait belts.
8. Promote patient independence during transfers, they should be encouraged to assist in their own transfers whenever possible.
One example of a safe transfer is to sit the patient up and gently swing her legs over the side of the bed. If the patient uses a wheelchair, apply the brakes. Ensure the wheelchair of chair the patient is being transferred to is within a turn of your body. Approach the patient and place your knees on either side of the patient's’ legs. Slide your arms under the patient's’ arms and lock your hands behind their back. Bend your knees and use your leg muscles to lift the patient. When your legs are straight and your knees are locked, slowly turn the patient and ease her into the chair, do this without twisting at your torso.
Assistive devices are tools that help people function independently. Assistive devices help people perform daily activities and can really make 3 difference! Eighty percent of elderly people Who are given the proper assistive devices will be less dependent on others, and be able to live at home longer.
Tips for working with assistive devices:
1. Don’t let your patient use towel racks or toilet paper holders to help them stand. If they seem to need a grab bar, let the family, nurse or case manager know.
2. Remember that a cane should always be held on the patient's “strong” side.
3. Crutches should be used with hand strength, not by resting their weight on their armpits.
4. Give your patient reminders to use their devices and don’t let them carry around their walkers.
5. Focus on what your client is still able to, and not what they can no longer do.
Hands and Hearts Home Care
Preventing Pressure sores
Pressure sores, bedsores, or other broken skin can be a serious problem when caring for someone at home. in addition to changing position in bed often, to help Keep Skin healthy, keep the sheets dry and free from wrinkles, and massage the back and other parts of the body (like hips, elbows, and ankles). that press down on the bed. Report any red or broken areas on the skin to the doctor or family member right away. Bedsores are easier to prevent than to treat, but that doesn't mean the process is easy or uncomplicated. And wounds may still develop with consistent, appropriate prevented care.
Position changes are key to preventing pressure sores. These changes need to be frequent, repositioning needs to avoid stress on the skin, and body positions need to minimize pressure on vulnerable areas. Other strategies include taking good care of your skin, maintaining good nutrition, quitting smoking and exercising daily.
Repositioning in a wheelchair Consider the following recommendations related to repositioning in a wheelchair.
Repositioning in a bed
Consider the following recommendations when repositioning in a bed:
Protecting and monitoring the condition of your skin is important for preventing pressure sores and identifying stage I sores early so that you can treat them before they worsen.
Clean the affected skin. Clean the skin with mfld soap and warm water or a no—rinse cleanser. Gently pat dry.
Protect the skin. Use talcum powder to protect skin vulnerable to excess moisture. Apply lotion to dry skin. Change bedding and clothing frequently. Inspect the skin daily. Manage incontinence to keep the skin dry.
Nutrition
Your doctor, a dietitian or other members of the care team can recommend nutritional changes to help improve the health of your skin.
Choose a healthy diet. You may need to increase the amount of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals in your diet. You may be‘ advised to take dietary supplements, such as vitamin C and zinc.
Drink enough to keep the skin hydrated. Good hydration is important for maintaining healthy skin
Other strategies
Other important strategies that can help decrease the risk of bedsores include the following:
Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. Talk to your doctor if you need help.
Stay active. Limited mobility is a key factor in causing pressure sores. Daily exercise matched to your abilities can help maintain healthy skin.
1213 State St. Cayce, SC 29033
“Performing Safe Transfers ”
When caring for someone who has a disability that affects his ability to transfer from one surface to another, lifting will be involved. This might be necessary to perform hygiene or us therapeutic equipment. When lifting a person with a handicap, it is important to use proper techniques to avoid injury to yourself and the person being lifted. Proper lifting not only involves the physical act, but also preparation.
1. Adjust the environment appropriately.
2. Have the right number of people doing the lifting. Use the person’s weight and height as well as your strengths to determine the correct number of people.
3. Use the proper technique to lift. When using two people, one person should support the patient under the shoulders and the other person provides support behind the legs just above the knees, use caution not to pull and lift on shoulder and knee joints that may already be weak. Depending on the size of the patient, one person transfers should be done holding the patient as you would a baby or small child by placing one arm behind the shoulders and back and the other ann under the knees.
4. Use your arm and leg strength to do the lifting, not your back. Never twist at the torso, instead use your feet to get you where you need to go, even if it just one step away.
5. Always keep the person you are lifting close to your body, this lowers the amount of physical strength you have to use and also makes it less likely that you will lose your grip. This also allows the person you are lifting to feel more comfortable.
6. Never leave someone with a disability alone on a surface with no safety precautions to keep him from falling off. This is especially important of the person has movement, or seizures that cannot be controlled. A fall could result in serious injury.
7. When possible use lifts, transfer boards or sheets, adjustable beds and gait belts.
8. Promote patient independence during transfers, they should be encouraged to assist in their own transfers whenever possible.
One example of a safe transfer is to sit the patient up and gently swing her legs over the side of the bed. If the patient uses a wheelchair, apply the brakes. Ensure the wheelchair of chair the patient is being transferred to is within a turn of your body. Approach the patient and place your knees on either side of the patient's’ legs. Slide your arms under the patient's’ arms and lock your hands behind their back. Bend your knees and use your leg muscles to lift the patient. When your legs are straight and your knees are locked, slowly turn the patient and ease her into the chair, do this without twisting at your torso.
Assistive devices are tools that help people function independently. Assistive devices help people perform daily activities and can really make 3 difference! Eighty percent of elderly people Who are given the proper assistive devices will be less dependent on others, and be able to live at home longer.
Tips for working with assistive devices:
1. Don’t let your patient use towel racks or toilet paper holders to help them stand. If they seem to need a grab bar, let the family, nurse or case manager know.
2. Remember that a cane should always be held on the patient's “strong” side.
3. Crutches should be used with hand strength, not by resting their weight on their armpits.
4. Give your patient reminders to use their devices and don’t let them carry around their walkers.
5. Focus on what your client is still able to, and not what they can no longer do.
Hands and Hearts Home Care
Preventing Pressure sores
Pressure sores, bedsores, or other broken skin can be a serious problem when caring for someone at home. in addition to changing position in bed often, to help Keep Skin healthy, keep the sheets dry and free from wrinkles, and massage the back and other parts of the body (like hips, elbows, and ankles). that press down on the bed. Report any red or broken areas on the skin to the doctor or family member right away. Bedsores are easier to prevent than to treat, but that doesn't mean the process is easy or uncomplicated. And wounds may still develop with consistent, appropriate prevented care.
Position changes are key to preventing pressure sores. These changes need to be frequent, repositioning needs to avoid stress on the skin, and body positions need to minimize pressure on vulnerable areas. Other strategies include taking good care of your skin, maintaining good nutrition, quitting smoking and exercising daily.
Repositioning in a wheelchair Consider the following recommendations related to repositioning in a wheelchair.
- Shift your weight frequently. If you use a wheelchair, try shifting your weight about every 5 minutes. Ask for help with repositioning about once an hour.
- Lift yourself, if possible. if you have enough upper body strength, do wheelchair pushups — raising your body off the seat by pushing on the arms of the chair.
- Look into a specialty wheelchair.
- Select a cushion that relieves pressure
Repositioning in a bed
Consider the following recommendations when repositioning in a bed:
- Reposition yourself frequently. Change your body position every two hours. Try a specialized mattress
- Adjust the elevation of your bed. if your hospital bed can be elevated at the head, raise it no more than 30 degrees. This helps prevent shearing.
- Use cushions to protect bony areas. Protect bony areas with proper positioning and cushioning. Rather than lying directly on a hip, lie at an angle with cushions supporting the back or front. You can also use cushions to relieve pressure against and between the knees and ankles. You can cushion or “float“ your heels with cushions below the calves.
Protecting and monitoring the condition of your skin is important for preventing pressure sores and identifying stage I sores early so that you can treat them before they worsen.
Clean the affected skin. Clean the skin with mfld soap and warm water or a no—rinse cleanser. Gently pat dry.
Protect the skin. Use talcum powder to protect skin vulnerable to excess moisture. Apply lotion to dry skin. Change bedding and clothing frequently. Inspect the skin daily. Manage incontinence to keep the skin dry.
Nutrition
Your doctor, a dietitian or other members of the care team can recommend nutritional changes to help improve the health of your skin.
Choose a healthy diet. You may need to increase the amount of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals in your diet. You may be‘ advised to take dietary supplements, such as vitamin C and zinc.
Drink enough to keep the skin hydrated. Good hydration is important for maintaining healthy skin
Other strategies
Other important strategies that can help decrease the risk of bedsores include the following:
Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. Talk to your doctor if you need help.
Stay active. Limited mobility is a key factor in causing pressure sores. Daily exercise matched to your abilities can help maintain healthy skin.
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