GlobalThe no. 1 tool to prevent elderly users from falling is to use a shift belt. When an elderly person is falling down, the carers instinct is probably to hold onto their arm from the side. However, these methods are dangerous and actually put the carer at risk of falling down with the elderly person. Instead, try using a shift belt with the elderly user!
A demonstration of how useful a shift belt can be to keep elderly people stable when walking and prevent falls as well as help the caregiver feel safe and secure. Source: Karma Medical Taiwan; YouTube
How to Help an Elderly Person Stand Up From Sitting
Firstly have the elderly sitting on the edge of a chair with a walker in front of them. Make sure the elderly have their feet under the chair, so the angle behind the knees is less than 90°. From here, most people’s instinct would be to lift the eldery person under the arms upwards.
Attempting to pick up the elderly under their arms straight up risks hurting the elderly and the caregiver. Source: Karma Medical Taiwan; Karma Academy
However, this has the potential to cause the caregiver injury. Instead, with the aid of a shift belt, the caregiver can use gravity to their advantage and guide the user forwards towards the walker instead of up into the air. From here the elderly user can put their weight on the walker, and stand.
Use a shift belt to assist elderly to stand up. Source: Karma Medical Taiwan; Karma Academy
There are different types of walkers depending on the distance the user can walk and their ability to balance. Read more about the variety of walkers available; “How to Recommend the Best Wheelchair or Walker”.
These are just the first steps to getting your elderly relatives from lying in bed to walking around and being social once again. The next step is to safely and effectively get a user sitting up in bed with little effort from the caregiver.
What to do When Elderly Fall?
Once you’re sure that the elderly person hasn’t sustained any serious injuries from the fall, there are two methods that a carer can do that are very simple. First is to use a chair;
Karma Medical Taiwan; Karma Academy
- Ensure the elderly person is not injured.
- Help them sit up on the ground.
- Have the elderly put both hands on the chair for support.
- Use the shift belt to help them into the kneeling position.
- Bring the stronger leg up and push off the ground with the hands on the chair for extra support. All the time holding onto the shift belt for extra support.
What to do When Elderly Fall with No Chair?
- Ensure the elderly person is not injured.
- Help them sit up on the ground with their feet in front of them.
- Cross the elderly’s arms in front of them. The caregiver should secure their arms under the elderly’s shoulders.
- The carer should bring their dominant leg forwards and roll the elderly forward, and then up into the standing position.
In our next blog, we will discuss how to get the elderly out of bed and walking again! Follow us on social media to be the first to know when we publish new blogs!
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