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Hands-On Skills for Caregivers

When you're a caregiver, finding time to take care of your own physical needs is difficult enough, but taking care of the physical needs of someone else is even more challenging. Assisting someone else to dress, bathe, sit or stand when they are upset, agitated or combative—often the case when caring for someone with a brain disorder such as Alzheimer's disease—requires special strategies. The following five techniques can make taking care of a loved one's physical needs easier.

Approach from the front and retain eye contact. When assisting someone physically, do not approach her from behind or from the side. This can startle and confuse the person in your care, leading to increased levels of agitation. Instead, approach from the front. Touch the care recipient on the shoulder, upper arm or hand, and tell them what's going on. Use a calm voice to walk him/her through the process, one step at a time. For example, "Okay, let's stand up. Good. Next, we are going to..." Retain eye contact throughout the duration of the activity.

Elicit your loved one's help. Even when frail, your loved one might be able to shift his weight or move her arms or legs to make physically assisting them easier. Some examples are: "We're getting ready to stand now, Mom, so lean forward as far as you can," or, "Can you move your leg, honey, so I can change the sheet?" A little help from them means a lot less work for you.

Allow the person to finish what he's doing. If, as a caregiver, you are running late, the tendency is to hurry your loved one, too. However, this rushed atmosphere is very difficult for care recipients, especially those who suffer from memory loss or brain impairment. Though you may try to sound calm and encouraging, it's easy for loved ones to pick up your "anxious vibes." So, even if running late, allow some time to finish the current activity before moving onto the next.

Utilize the major bone and muscle groups. When physically assisting a loved one, pulling or supporting them by their hands or arms is not only difficult, but may lead to injury for you and them. Instead, utilize the major muscle and bone groups.

For example, when taking someone for a walk, stand directly behind and to the left of him. Place your left hand on his left shoulder, and your right hand on his right shoulder. In this way you are walking with your loved one in a comforting hug rather than pulling or pushing him.

And when turning someone in a bed, utilize the large bones in the hip and shoulder, and the large muscles in the legs. Pull her toward you with your right hand over her hip or at the knee, and your left hand at her shoulder. Finally, when pulling someone to a standing position, it's best to use a transfer belt (one can be purchased at any medical supply store for around twenty dollars). Once she is sitting at the edge of the bed or chair, pull up on the transfer belt, "hugging" your loved one close, again utilizing her large muscle groups in the shoulders and the back. Remember to keep your back straight and to always change position by moving your feet, rather than twisting at the waist. And before going home from your next doctor's appointment, ask for a referral to an occupational therapist who can help you develop your transferring skills.

Allow for Their Reality. Remember to a9ccept your loved one's reality, even when assisting with a physical task. If, for example, your spouse becomes shy because he thinks that you are a sibling and doesn't want to get undressed in front of you, don't force the situation. Try leaving the room and coming back in a couple of minutes. Perhaps on a second or third attempt your spouse will recognize you and be amenable to your care. If all else fails, consider the situation. Is it an emergency? Changing a loved one's soiled garments cannot be delayed. However, if a care recipient is being difficult and doesn't want to take a bath or wash his hair on a particular day, that's okay. Plan on doing it at a later time that day or the next day, when your loved one may accept your help.

Finally, don't try to physically assist with caregiving unless you can. Injuring yourself will not help the situation, and will often make your caregiving responsibilities that much more difficult. If you find yourself in a nonemergency situation where you are unable to physically assist your loved one (for example, after he slides from his chair to the floor) call your local fire department and request a "fireman's assist." They will come to your house and help you. If it is an emergency situation (where either you or your loved one are injured), contact the paramedics by calling 911.

For additional information, contact your local Caregiver Resource Center.

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