If you’re a caregiver for an elderly loved one, you may be vulnerable to various types of injuries, which could negatively affect your ability to provide care. Fortunately, there are things you may do to lessen your risk of getting hurt. Here are some ways to prevent injuries related to caregiving.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight could make you more likely to strain your muscles, especially those in your back, when you’re assisting your loved one with the activities of daily living. Excess weight puts extra stress on your muscles and joints when you move. However, if you maintain a healthy weight, some of that stress may be reduced, lowering your risk of muscle strains and sprains. Excess weight may also lead to stress, breathing difficulty, and pain in every part of your body.
Focus on Fitness
When you’re physically fit, you’re better prepared to perform your caregiving duties. Being in good shape keeps your muscles and joints strong so you’re less likely to experience strains or sprains when you need to turn or lift your loved one. Maintain optimal fitness by scheduling regular exercise sessions to keep your body strong and more resistant to injuries.
It’s important to make sure you take the time to exercise and practice other necessary components of self-care. Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide homecare. Cincinnati families who want to prevent burnout may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers may assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Use Correct Lifting Techniques
One of the most essential ways to avoid injuring yourself is to make sure you use proper lifting techniques. For example, if you bend at the waist when you lift your parent, you’re much more likely to strain your back, but if you bend at your knees and hips, you lessen your risk of experiencing an injury. In addition, make sure to spread your feet apart to widen your base of support and give you greater control of your movements.
You should also consider using lifting devices that take a lot of the stress off your body. Examples of such devices include bathroom grab bars, lever bars, and pivot pads.
If you’re often experiencing injuries as a result of being the primary caregiver for your loved one, you may want to hire a trustworthy professional caregiver to help. When searching for reliable home care service agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more.
Wear Supportive Equipment
Supportive gear such as back belts and knee and wrist braces may provide much-needed protection against common injuries. When your muscles and joints are supported, you’re less likely to be injured when you’re turning, twisting, or lifting. When you start your day, put on a back belt or orthopedic brace to keep you safe and comfortable.
Being the primary caregiver for an aging adult may be physically challenging, so you might want to consider hiring a professional caregiver to help with some of your more strenuous duties. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of In Home Care Cincinnati. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at 513-993-5025 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.