Ten Tips for Caregivers on Body Mechanics
- Whenever you are lifting a person, be sure the person knows that he/she is going to be lifted and how you plan to do it and where you are going to lift him/her to.
- Size up the load to be lifted. Do not attempt to lift alone if you have any doubt about your ability to do so.
- Check your footing. Your feet should be apart to give you a broad base of support (good balance).
- Get close to whatever is being lifted instead of reaching for it. Move in and hold close. Bring weight within your base of support.
- Get yourself 'lined up'; keep your back bowed in; bend at the knees and hips.
- Straighten your legs to the lift.
- Lift smoothly to avoid strain produced by jerky movements and get together (it's a good idea to count 1, 2, 3) with the person helping you.
- Shift the position of your feet to turn, never twist your body. Come up straight and then move feet around.
- Push or pull an object (rather than lifting it) whenever you can, and use these same rules. It's safer and easier that way.
- Spread this knowledge to others, so that all of us will lift well and safely.
Material adapted with permission from Elder Care of Wisconsin, Inc.
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