Preventing Back Pain and Injury Among Family Caregivers

When managing a senior receiving Alzheimer’s care, there are many risks and rewards. Caregivers, home health aids and those involved in senior personal care can be met with many challenges of the job. It is very typical for caregivers and home health aids who provide Alzheimer’s care to experience pain or injury; especially back issues, from the demands of the job. These injuries often stem from senior personal care tasks which involve lifting or transporting.

Listed are helpful and easy tips to avoid back issues and injuries:

Acknowledge there is pain. It can be hard to admit, or shift focus to ones self, when providing Alzheimer’s care. Noticing there is an issue is the first step. Pain is the way our body signals to us that attention and adjustment is required.
Understanding and sticking to knowing your max capacity: Often, injuries from providing senior personal care occur from overexertion. What would happen if you became injured? If you already have an underlying issue, be sure to seek additional support. If you are transporting a loved one in independent living, make sure you bring or hire someone like a home health aid to assist you.
Seek education and resources that can not only teach proper methods but also provide information on lifting assistance devices that assist with senior personal care.
Be aware of proper lifting methods: having poor form while lifting in the delivery of senior personal care is one of the top causes of pain and injury. These include having your feet placed hip width apart, ensuring the back is straight, and use your stomach muscles to lift. This has been shown to reduce injuries in both senior personal care duties when providing home health care and independent living support.
Stay in shape: Consistent activity increases strength and endurance. See a doctor prior to starting any new exercise programs. New virtual options can assist in the balancing of Alzheimer’s care with health and fitness.
Seeking support: consult health care providers for services specializing in back issues. Physical therapy is a great resource.

Senior Personal Care is demanding and can be overwhelming to the point it is difficult to stop and evaluate ways to prevent further issues. It is hard to imagine anything else happening. No one is immune to injury and many issues will impact the quality of care of your loved one. Sunlight Care helps you manage the challenges of care so you can avoid mishaps and debilitating injuries. It can be challenging to know how to lift and transport your senior. Sunlight Care has been providing this solution and serving Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties including Haddonfield and Moorestown with top rated services and resources that help manage senior companion care needs of those in independent living or at home. Sunlight Care provides a completely custom and affordable solution for your family.