Transferring: What Not to Do

helping a person with dementia transfer

what not to do

	Don't Bend or Round Out Your Back. This puts tremendous strain on the joints and will lead to a back injury over time. Micro traumas to your back occur when good body mechanics are not used. Keeping your back straight and bending with your knees allows you to lift with the stronger leg muscles, not the weaker back muscles.
	Don't Do All the Work. The key is to have your care receiver do as much possible to maintain his or her independence and to protect your back as a caregiver. Many care receivers, even in the late stages, can offer limited assistance if you give them simple instructions and enough time to respond.
	Don't Lift Under the Care Receiver's Arms. This can cause damage to the arms, and it doesn't allow you adequate control of the person's body. In addition, it's painful for the care receiver if you grab them here, for this is where a network of nerves and blood vessels run (brachial plexus). If your care receiver has an unstable shoulder, you could injure him or her. If you need to give assistance, assist from the hips.
	Don't Twist Your Body without Moving Your Feet in the Same Direction. This is how many injuries occur.
	Don't Lift. To reduce your risk of injury, it's always better NOT to physically lift a person. Use special techniques so you can have the person use his or her remaining abilities to help and, when needed, use special equipment.