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Providing
Physical Assistance
Show Easter Seals video here: “Transportation Solutions
for Caregivers: A Starting Point” (TRT 13:34). Go www.easterseals.com
to order this video.
*Video can replace discussion in training session to drivers
– the information below is to take with them for self-review.
Whether helping your client into the car, transferring
from a wheelchair to the car, or handling a wheelchair (or other device
such as a walker), it is important to use proper body
mechanics. Most muscle strain injuries are preventable.
Body Mechanics:
- Plan the lift – check the area for slippery spots
or possible tripping hazards. Wearing appropriate non-skid footwear
will be safer for both you and for the person whom you are assisting.
- Use proper stance – spread your feet to shoulder’s
width apart.
- Keep your head and upper body as upright as possible.
- Lower your hips to the height of the object you intend
to lift by bending your knees and hips rather than your back.
- Lift with your legs.
- Do not attempt to lift with your back alone.
- When lifting, do not rotate your spine; shift the position
of your feet to turn (pivot).
- Know your limits.
- Push or pull an object instead of lifting whenever you
can.
- Carry weight as close to your center of gravity as possible.
- Bear weight on your forearms rather than your hands.
Wheelchair Transfers:
When transferring and positioning from
a wheelchair to a car:
- Depending on your program, you may wish to consider having
the person you are helping wear a gait belt, if one is available (Gait/Transfer
Belt: Assists in safe transfer and ambulation while helping reduce caregiver
back injuries. Gait / Transfer Belt
- Try to remember: the slower you go, the faster things
get done. Give both yourself and the passenger enough time.
- Open the car door.
- Stand with your back to the inside of the car door and
pull the wheelchair toward you – between the car door and seat.
- Talk your client through the transfer process step by
step so that he can assist if possible.
- Hold on to the gait belt and help him to a standing position
– using your legs to pull up for strength.
- Have your client lean weight forward toward you and put
his arms around your shoulders (not your neck), if possible.
- Carefully pivot yourself and your client so that his
backside is toward the inside of the car.
- Help him sit on the seat with his legs still out of the
car – be careful that his head clears the door frame while he
is sitting down.
- Once sitting and given a moment to gain balance, help
move his legs into the car
- Assist with the seat belt and close the door before going
to the drivers seat.
Positioning:
If your client has had a stroke and has right-sided or
left-sided paralysis, weakness or neglect, seat his affected side nearest
the door (i.e., if left-sided weakness, seat on driverside of back seat).
This can aid with balance and allows you to position the weak side into
the car and also encourages your client to assist. The seat belt with
shoulder strap can be of great help with balance in the back seat. It
may also be beneficial to keep a pillow in the car
for positioning. It can be difficult to assist someone who has had a stroke
or has limited movement or understanding to get positioned comfortably
in the car, especially if he cannot assist. A few helpful ideas:
- Have your client wear a gait belt for a secure place
for you to hold while assisting.
- To make it easier to swing his legs in while in a sitting
position on the car seat: Place a towel on a plastic bag on your cloth
seat or directly on your leather seat Then, help your client sit on
the towel covered seat. Next, go to the other side of the car and pull
the towel toward you to slide him further into the car. (Or you can
purchase a Swivel Seat Cushion that works like a Lazy Susan at www.dynamic-living.com/swivel_cushion.htm)
- Finally, pivot his legs into the footwell of the car.
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