If your mom or dad has limited mobility but they want to continue living in their home they may need help transferring. Transferring, or getting from bed to a chair or from a chair into bed, can be difficult for seniors as they get older. If your mom or dad has a bad hip, bad knees, arthritis, an injury from a fall, or other conditions that make it difficult for them to move their own body weight they need personal care at home services.
Personal care at home is a specialized care service for seniors that includes help with transferring. The care providers who work in personal care at home have training and experience that helps them transfer seniors safely and comfortably.
Having a care provider that understands body mechanics and can safely use transfer aids can prevent your mom or dad from becoming injured during a transfer and lower the risk that they will fall.
Some other things that can make transfers safer for your mom or dad are:
Use Assistive Devices
Your senior parent may need to use devices like transfer belts, gait trainers, or specialized chairs designed to assist with moving from one place to another. These tools provide stability and support. Your mom or dad may be able to transfer themselves more easily with assistive devices.
Clear the Environment
You may need to do some rearranging of furniture to make sure that your mom or dad has a safe and clear area to perform the transfer. Make sure that the area where the transfer will occur is free of obstacles, clutter, and hazards. This includes ensuring that rugs are secured, and any potential tripping hazards are removed.
If there is tile or hard floor with no carpet on it, you may want to put down a mat in case your senior parent falls.
Proper Body Mechanics
If you are helping your mom or dad transfer, always use correct lifting techniques, such as bending at the knees and keeping the back straight. Encourage your mom or dad to help as much as they can, even if it’s just shifting their weight. If you are worried about safely helping your senior parent, get personal care at home. They’re professionals who know how to safely help seniors transfer.
Practice Regular Strength and Balance Exercises
Encourage your mom or dad to do some at home exercises that improve strength, balance, and flexibility. Activities like chair exercises or resistance training can help seniors maintain their physical capabilities and make transferring easier.
Use Sliding Boards or Transfer Sheets
These can be particularly usefual for moving a person from a bed to a wheelchair or vice versa. They reduce the need for lifting and can make the process more comfortable for your mom or dad. With a little practice you should be able to easily help your mom or dad safely transfer.
But if you are not sure if you have the physical strength to provide the support that your mom or dad needs, get professional help. Don’t risk your own safety.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Marion TN, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (901) 300-8576
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Hernando, Olive Branch, Arlington, Atoka, Southaven, Bartlett, Marion, Shelby County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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