Essential manual handling equipment for Elderly and Disabled Adults

Ensuring the safety and comfort of your loved ones as they journey through their golden years is a weighty concern that many of you grapple with. Witnessing the challenges of ageing can stir a profound desire to provide the best possible care and support.

Manual handling equipment is an invaluable mobility aid, serving as the silent backbone, offering crucial support to caregivers and residents, and fostering an environment of safety, comfort, and dignity. From slings and mobile hoists to wheelchairs and transfer belts, these tools are essential in promoting maneuverability and independence among the elderly.

The impact of manual handling equipment is profound, alleviating strain and amplifying efficiency in tasks such as transferring, repositioning, and personal care. Auspire Care, a registered aged care provider, stands as your dedicated partner in elevating the standard of care within aged care facilities. With a team of trained caregivers, we will ultimately enhance the quality of care, comfort and well-being of your elderly loved ones.

Let’s delve deeper into the various types of manual handling equipment and explore how they are utilised within residential aged care facilities.

10 Common Manual Handling Equipment for the Elderly

1. Walking aids: Devices such as canes, walkers, or rollators provide support and stability for the elderly, promoting movement and reducing the hazard of falls.
2. Slings: Used to safely lift and transfer individuals from one location to another, reducing the risk of injury or strain.
3. Mobile Hoists: Portable devices equipped with slings to assist caregivers in moving and handling patients with limited mobility.
4. Slide Sheets: Smooth and slippery sheets placed under a person to assist with repositioning or transferring them in bed, reducing friction and strain.
5. Transfer Belts: Supportive belts around the waist assist caregivers in safely guiding and transferring individuals from one surface to another.
6. Ceiling Hoists: Installed on overhead tracks, these hoists enable caregivers to lift and transfer individuals with minimal physical exertion and maximum safety.
7. Wheelchairs: Mobility devices with wheels that enable elderly individuals with mobility impairments to move around independently or with assistance.
8. Stretchers: Used for transporting elderly individuals who are immobile or injured, providing a stable and comfortable surface for movement.
9. Transfer Boards: Flat boards that are used to bridge the gap between two surfaces, facilitating safe and smooth transfers for individuals with limited motion.
10. Bath Hoists: Assist in lowering and raising individuals into and out of baths, ensuring a safe and comfortable bathing experience for elderly individuals with mobility challenges.

Walking aids

Walking aids are devices designed to assist elderly individuals with mobility issues. These aids and equipment include canes, walkers, and crutches. Canes provide additional support and balance when walking by distributing weight through the arms. Walkers are frames with four legs that provide stability and support while walking, and some models include wheels for easier manoeuvrability. Crutches are used to offload weight from one leg or provide additional support when walking.

 

Slings

Slings are free-standing pieces of equipment that are supportive fabric loops used with hoists to lift and move individuals with limited mobility. The sling is placed under the person, and the hoist then lifts them safely and securely, allowing for transfers between surfaces such as beds, chairs, or wheelchairs. Slings come in various designs to accommodate different needs, including full-body slings for lifting individuals with limited trunk control or toileting slings for bathroom transfers.

Mobile Hoists

Mobile hoists are portable lifting equipment that assist caregivers in transferring individuals with limited mobility. They consist of a frame with a lifting mechanism and can be easily manoeuvred around a room. Mobile hoists typically feature a sling attachment point where slings are secured to safely lift and move the individual. These hoists are battery-operated or manually operated and come in various weight capacities to accommodate different individuals.

Slide Sheets

Slide sheets are smooth and slippery fabric sheets designed for manual lifting and handling individuals in bed with minimal friction. They are safe manual handling equipment used in lifting or moving elderly patients, which are placed under the person, allowing aged care workers to easily slide the individual across the bed surface, repositioning the elderly or disabled people for comfort or care needs. Slide sheet equipment reduces the risk of skin damage and makes turning or transferring individuals in bed easier and safer for both the caregiver and the individual.

Discover how our dedicated team utilises these safe and efficient manual handling tools to enhance the comfort, mobility, and overall well-being of your loved ones. Do not wait another day to provide them with the exceptional care they deserve. Contact us now!

Transfer Belts

Transfer belts are supportive belts worn around the waist to assist caregivers in helping elderly individuals stand or transfer from one surface to another. Also known as gait belts, the caregiver holds onto the belt’s handles, providing stability and support while guiding the individual during transfers. These belts are especially useful for individuals who have difficulty standing independently or need assistance with balance during transfers.

Ceiling Hoists

Ceiling hoists are overhead lifting systems installed in rooms to facilitate safe and efficient transfers of individuals with limited mobility. The hoist consists of a track mounted on the ceiling and a motorised lifting unit that moves along the track. Caregivers attach a sling to the hoist and lift the individual from one location to another by operating the controls. Ceiling hoists maximise floor space, minimise manual handling risks, and provide greater independence for individuals with mobility challenges.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are mobility devices equipped with wheels used to transport elderly individuals who have difficulty walking or standing for extended periods. Manual wheelchairs are propelled by the user or pushed by a caregiver, while electric wheelchairs are battery-powered and controlled by the user. Wheelchairs come in various designs, including standard, lightweight, and specialised models for specific needs, such as reclining or tilting.

Stretchers

Stretchers are patient moving and handling equipment designed to transport the elderly in a lying position comfortably. They are commonly used in medical settings, emergency situations, or for shifting individuals who cannot sit upright. Stretchers feature a flat surface with handles for lifting and carrying, and they often include adjustable features such as headrests or side rails for added comfort and safety during transport.

Transfer Boards

Transfer boards are solid surfaces used to bridge the gap between two surfaces, aiding in the smooth transfer of an individual from one point to another. Typically made of sturdy materials such as wood or plastic, transfer boards allow individuals to slide from a bed to a wheelchair, chair, or toilet seat with minimal effort. They provide stability and support during transfers, reducing the threat of falls or injuries.

Bath Hoists

Bath hoists are devices designed to assist in safely lifting and lowering individuals into and out of baths. They are usually installed in bathrooms and feature a motorised lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the individual into the bath. Bath hoists may have adjustable features such as height, angle, and width to accommodate different bath sizes and user preferences. Safety features such as secure harnesses ensure a controlled and comfortable bathing experience for the elderly while reducing the risk of slips or falls.

Importance of Manual Handling Equipment in Aged Care Facilities

1. Safety: Manual handling tools ensure the safety of both caregivers and elderly individuals by minimising the risk of injuries, such as strains, sprains, and falls, during transfers and mobility assistance.
2. Injury Prevention: By providing mechanical assistance and support, patient handling equipment helps prevent injuries and musculoskeletal disorders among caregivers, reducing the physical strain and load on their bodies while performing manual tasks.
3. Independence and Dignity: Proper equipment promotes independence and preserves the dignity of elderly individuals by enabling them to participate in daily activities with minimal assistance, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-esteem.
4. Efficiency and Effectiveness: Manual handling aid in aged care facilitates smooth and controlled transfers, saving time and reducing the required physical effort. This allows healthcare workers to provide care more efficiently and effectively.
5. Comfort and Quality of Life: Using appropriate manual handling techniques ensures the comfort and well-being of elderly individuals. Equipment such as adjustable beds, pressure-relieving cushions, and bath hoists provide optimal support and positioning during daily activities, enhancing the comfort and overall quality of care for the elderly.

Manual Handling Duties in Aged Care Setting

In an aged care setting, manual handling duties refer to the tasks and responsibilities involved in assisting elderly individuals with mobility, transfers, and positioning. Here are five key manual handling duties in an aged care setting:

1. Assisting with Transfers: Caregivers in aged care facilities often need to assist residents in transferring from one location to another, such as from a bed to a chair, wheelchair, or toilet. This involves using proper techniques and equipment, such as hoists, shifting belts, or slide aids, to ensure safe and comfortable transfers.
2. Supporting Mobility: Caregivers may be responsible for helping elderly individuals with their mobility needs. This can include providing walking aids, such as canes, walkers, or rollators, and offering support or guidance during walking or ambulation exercises.
3. Repositioning and Turning: Elderly individuals who are bedridden or have limited mobility may require assistance with repositioning and turning in bed. Caregivers must use proper techniques, such as using slide sheets, to minimise the risk of pressure ulcers and discomfort.
4. Assisting with Personal Care: Manual handling duties in aged care also involve assisting residents with toileting and personal care activities. This can include helping individuals transfer to and from the toilet, assisting with dressing and undressing, and supporting individuals during bathing or showering.
5. Equipment and Device Operation: Caregivers in aged care settings may need to operate various patient-handling equipment and devices, such as hoists, bed controls, adjustable beds, or pressure-relieving cushions. They must be trained in the proper operation and maintenance of these devices to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.

Summing Up!

The elderly years should be a time of joy, not overshadowed by the fear of falls and accidents. Manual handling equipment isn’t just a convenience; it’s essential for seniors, granting them the freedom and dignity they deserve. It is a vital defence against exhaustion and injury for caregivers, enabling them to deliver high-quality care confidently. Auspire Care recognises the invaluable role of these tools.

Our caregivers are equipped with the necessary manual handling training to operate equipment safely, mitigate risks of manual handling in aged care, and enhance the quality of patient care. Reach out to us today to experience our positive impact and discover how we can support you or your loved one towards a happier, healthier life.