Aidacare Training Video - Manual Handling - Floor Lift

Summary

This video provides essential guidelines for safely handling falls in aged care environments. It emphasizes the importance of injury assessment, resident reassurance, and the use of lifter brakes. The video instructs caregivers on proper procedures, including checking equipment, positioning residents, and safe manual handling techniques. Key steps include ensuring the resident's safety, using appropriate lifting equipment, and communicating with the resident to reduce anxiety. The video also highlights the need for caregivers to protect themselves from injury during the lifting process.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Falls in aged care are common and challenging to prevent, causing stress for both residents and caregivers.
• 🛡️ Always ensure the resident is safe to lift before any transfer, with a proper assessment by a medically trained individual.
• 💬 Offer plenty of reassurance to the resident to make them comfortable and reduce their anxiety.
• 🔍 Ensure all equipment is in good working order and the environment is clear of obstructions before proceeding.
• 👥 Conduct a thorough risk assessment to ensure the safety of both the resident and caregivers during the transfer.
• 🔄 Positioning is crucial: avoid leaning or bending excessively while positioning the sling under the resident.
• 📏 Check that the sling is central, smooth, and not bunched up to ensure a safe and comfortable lift.
• 🔗 Secure all sling straps properly and ensure they remain secure throughout the lift.
• 🦺 Follow safe manual handling practices to protect yourself from injury, especially keeping elbows by your side and below shoulder height.
• 🛌 After the transfer, ensure the resident is lying safely, remove the sling gently, and take care of your own posture to prevent strain.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The video script primarily focuses on the correct steps to ensure safety during a fall in aged care environments, including injury assessment, resident reassurance, and the use of lifter brakes.

Why is it important to conduct an assessment before lifting a resident after a fall?

An assessment is crucial to determine if the resident is safe to lift, as attempting to transfer a resident with an injury can cause further harm and is not medically appropriate.

What should caregivers do to reassure the resident before the lift?

Caregivers should offer lots of reassurance and make the resident as comfortable as possible, considering the anxiety that may arise from having just experienced a fall.

What checks should be performed on the lifting equipment before use?

The equipment should be in good working order, and the environment should be safe and clear of obstructions as part of the dynamic day-to-day risk assessment.

How should the sling be positioned under the resident during the lifting process?

The sling should be fed under the resident, helping them roll to the opposite side, ensuring the sling is central and in place without any material bunched up or gathered.

What is the significance of the yellow central loop in Aspire slings during the lift?

The yellow central loop in Aspire slings can be used for additional dignity and comfort during the lift, providing a more secure and reassuring experience for the resident.

What is the role of communication during the transfer using a lifter?

Communication is key to ensure the safety and reassurance of the resident, especially since they may be distressed and nervous after a fall.

Why is it necessary to put the lifter's brake on during the transfer?

The lifter's brake should be engaged for safety to prevent the resident from accidental contact with the lifter while they are still on the floor.

How should caregivers protect their shoulder joints when moving and handling residents?

Caregivers should keep their elbows by their side and below shoulder height to avoid injury, which is one of the most commonly injured body parts during lifting.

What should caregivers do after safely lowering the resident to the bed?

Caregivers should ensure there is enough slack in the sling straps, carefully detach the sling from the lifter, and then remove the sling gently to avoid causing skin tears.

What self-care advice is given to caregivers after working at a low level?

Caregivers are advised to stand up gently, arch their back to reduce pressure on the spine, and do this within the limits of their comfort.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 Proper Response to Falls in Aged Care

This paragraph outlines the importance of taking the correct steps after a fall in aged care environments. It emphasizes the stress experienced by both the resident and the caregiver. The video will focus on injury assessment, resident reassurance, and the use of lifter brakes. It advises not to rush any transfer and to ensure a medically trained person conducts an assessment before lifting. The paragraph also highlights the need for reassurance, proper equipment, and a clear environment. It details the process of using a sling and lifter for safe resident handling, including positioning, communication, and safety precautions during the lift.

Keywords

💡Aged care

Aged care refers to the services and support provided to older adults who require assistance with daily activities or medical care. In the context of the video, aged care is the environment where falls may occur, and the focus is on ensuring the safety of residents and caregivers during incidents like falls.

💡Falls

Falls are incidents where a person unintentionally comes to rest on the ground, floor, or other lower level. The video discusses the steps to take when a fall occurs in aged care, emphasizing the importance of injury assessment and safe lifting techniques to prevent further harm.

💡Caregiver

A caregiver is someone who provides care and support to those in need, such as the elderly or disabled. The script highlights the role of the caregiver in managing the aftermath of a fall, including reassurance of the resident and the execution of safe transfer techniques.

💡Injury assessment

Injury assessment is the process of evaluating a person's condition to determine the presence and severity of injuries. The video script stresses the importance of this step before attempting to lift a resident, to ensure that the transfer can be done safely without causing further injury.

💡Reassurance

Reassurance in this context means providing comfort and support to someone who is anxious or distressed. The script mentions offering reassurance to the resident after a fall, as they are likely to be extremely anxious, and to the caregiver, to ensure a calm and safe transfer process.

💡Lifter

A lifter, specifically in the context of aged care, is a device used to assist in lifting and transferring individuals who cannot move themselves. The video provides detailed instructions on the use of a lifter, including safety checks and correct operation during a transfer.

💡Sling

A sling is a supportive fabric used with a lifter to help secure and support the resident during a lift. The script describes the correct way to position and secure the sling under the resident, ensuring it is smooth and properly placed for a safe lift.

💡Risk assessment

Risk assessment is the identification and evaluation of risks involved in an activity or environment. The video emphasizes the importance of dynamic day-to-day risk assessment in the aged care setting, particularly when preparing for and executing a lift after a fall.

💡Manual handling

Manual handling refers to the act of moving, lifting, carrying, or supporting a person or object by hand or bodily force. The script provides guidance on safe manual handling practices to protect both the resident and the caregiver from injury during the lifting process.

💡Safety

Safety in the video script pertains to the measures taken to prevent accidents or harm during the process of lifting and transferring a resident who has fallen. This includes checking equipment, ensuring the environment is clear, and following proper lifting techniques.

💡Spreader bar

The spreader bar is a component of the lifter that helps distribute the weight of the person being lifted. The script describes attaching the sling to the spreader bar and ensuring it is secure, which is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of the lift.

Highlights

Falls in aged care environments are often difficult to prevent and can be stressful for both residents and caregivers.

Taking correct steps ensures safety for everyone involved after a fall.

Injury assessment is crucial before any transfer takes place to ensure the resident is safe to lift.

A medically and appropriately trained person should carry out the injury assessment.

Reassurance and comfort are important for the resident after a fall.

Ensure equipment is in good working order and the environment is clear of obstructions for safety.

Risk assessment includes ensuring the safety and preparedness of caregivers assisting in the transfer.

When lifting, check that straps and labels are visible on the outside of the sling.

Proper positioning and safety are key when assisting the resident to roll onto their side.

Ensure the sling material is not bunched up or gathered for proper support.

Aspire slings feature a yellow central loop for additional dignity and comfort during the lift.

Communication and reassurance are vital during the transfer, especially after a fall.

Approach the lifter from the feet or an appropriate angle depending on the fall location and space.

Use the floor lift brake for safety to prevent accidental contact with the lifter.

Attach the sling to the lifter securely and ensure the resident's arms are inside the sling during the lift.

Maintain safe manual handling practices to protect the shoulder joint, a common injury area.

Lower the resident to the bed with enough slack in the sling straps and detach the sling carefully.

After the lift, caregivers should stand up gently and arch backwards to reduce spine pressure.

Remember the three focus points: injury assessment, resident reassurance, and lifter brakes for safe handling.

Transcripts

[Music]

despite best efforts Falls in aged care

environments do occur and unfortunately

are often difficult to prevent when a

resident has a fall it can be stressful

not only for them but for you the

caregiver by taking the correct steps

you can ensure safety for everyone

involved in this video we will

particularly focus on injury investment

resident reassurance and lifter brakes

first of all do not rush before any

transfer takes place you should always

make sure that the resident is safe to

lift somebody medically and

appropriately trained should carry out

an assessment it is important that you

do not attempt to transfer if injury

prevents it if the resident is assessed

as being safe to lift continue to offer

them lots of reassurance and make them

as comfortable as possible remember they

have just had a fall they will be ex

extremely anxious before the lift make

sure that the equipment is in good

working order and the environment is

safe and clear of obstructions this is

all part of your Dynamic day-to-day risk

assessment also as part of this risk

assessment ensure that you and other

caregivers assisting you are safe and

prepared to carry out the transfer when

the risk assessment is complete you can

lift your resident before applying check

that straps and labeling are visible on

the outside of the sling then then

assist the resident to roll onto their

side do not lean or bend when doing this

think about your positioning and your

safety then feed the sling under the

resident help them to roll to the

opposite side and unfold the sling so

that it is Central and in place ensure

that the slings material is not bunched

up or gathered the resident can then be

assisted to roll onto their back ask

them to slightly bend their leg or

assist them to do so then one at a time

bring each leg strap so that it is

smooth under their thigh notice how

Aspire slings have a yellow Central Loop

this can be used for additional dignity

and comfort during the lift when

carrying out the transfer one carer

should stay with the resident and the

other should operate the lifter remember

they need lots of communication and

reassurance especially because they've

just had a fall and will be particularly

distressed and nervous in this situation

we bring the lifter in approaching at

the feet however depending on the

location of the fall and the space

available you may need to bring the

lifter in from a different angle

carefully guide their legs over the

lifter's base because this is a floor

lift brake should always be put on for

safety this prevents the resident from

accidental contact with the lifter while

they are on the floor then lower the

lifter so that the spreader bar is at

chest level Extra Care should be taken

to ensure that it doesn't come into

contact with the resident causing harm

next attach the sling to the lifter

ensuring the loop sits secure on the

spreader bar begin the lift ensuring

their arms are inside the sling when the

sling becomes taught and just before the

resident's body leaves the ground check

that all sling straps are still securely

sitting in the spreader bar and when

moving the lifter don't forget your safe

manual handling practices this is an

example of an unsafe way of moving the

lifter the shoulder joint is one of the

most commonly injured body parts when

moving and handling residence protect

yours by keeping your elbows by your

side and below shoulder

height while one caregiver is

controlling the lifter the other should

be protecting the resident and ensuring

they do not come into contact with the

lifter causing accidental

harm lower the resident to the bed when

they are safely lying ensure that there

is enough slack in the sling straps and

carefully detach the Sling from the

lifter again ensuring that you control

the spreader bar to avoid injury take

the lifter out of the way and remove the

sling do this gently so it doesn't drag

on the resident's skin causing skin

tears now look after yourself you have

been working at a low level so stand up

gently Arch backwards and reduce

pressure on your spine do this within

the limits of your comfort remember

these steps and our three Focus points

injury assessment resident reassurance

and lifter brakes for safe resident

handling in floor

[Music]

lifts