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I am working with an older client that uses her own bed and has some sensitivity with her legs. She doesn't want a draw sheet under her and doesn't use a hospital bed. Her bed is somewhat high and it requires some of my back to get her feet onto the edge of the bed. It then requires me to use my back again to move her towards the center of the bed. I use her waist/butt and her feet to move her since she doesn't want to lay down flat and remains on her side. I find it difficult and wonder if there was an easier method to move her (can't find anything more then usual stuff I do with the sheets and railings on video)? I have worked at both hospital and nursing home settings and they all use railings and draw sheets to move the patient.

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I was getting my client in her car after PT one day. Her PT walked us out to the car and watched me basically wrangle my poor client to get her into the passenger seat. She put ALL of her weight on me, and while she wasn't huge, she also wasn't tiny. She'd lean on me almost 100% of her weight and have me lift her legs and place them in the car. If we didn't get her 'centered' on the seat, no amount of brute strength could move her. She'd ride slumped over on my arm.

Her PT was appalled and gave us a quick lesson on safety and on using what strength she DID have to maneuver her into the seat. He insisted she sit up straight--and she did!

His 5 minute tutorial saved me! I showed her family so they could help her when I was not there.

I would suggest getting a PROFESSIONAL to show you some tricks they use to get people to stand up, walk, lay down or just sit down without ruining the back of the CG.
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BurntCaregiver Feb 2023
@Midkid

You say 'your client'. Were you working through a care agency? You're supposed to be trained on transfer and safety.
There gets to a point where a person can't be put into a car anymore no matter how well trained the caregiver is.
I have excellent training and still my body is shot from so many years of moving, transferring, dressing, etc... of clients.
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Sometimes a person has to do things they don't prefer in order to receive the care they need. Explain that you are not willing to injure yourself so your client either needs to face reality and allow you the devices you need to care for her or figure out how to move herself.
I personally didn't like using a draw sheet because I managed to tear more than one, I found the quilted mattress pads sold for incontinence were much sturdier and easier to use.
My mom also wore jogging pants as pyjamas because they were warm, plus they could do double duty and still look nice when she was up - I found grabbing the waistband and seat of those was helpful for transfers and repositioning.
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saiyuri83 Feb 2023
I have never ripped a draw sheet before, since the ones I use are blankets folded. The ones I have torn are the pads. I think I have only ever torn two while working with larger patients.
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You cannot work in an unsafe condition. A person who needs this much help should be in a hospital bed. You cannot risk permanent injury to your back and that is the INEVITABLE outcome of this.
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BurntCaregiver Feb 2023
You are absolutely right, Alva. The client most definitely has to be in a hospital bed. I have permanent injuries from working for stubborn clients who would not make even the slightest concession for basic safety.
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Having been an in-home caregiver for 25 years, I would tell this client and her family that you are quitting her.
The refusal to use a draw sheet or even a bed pad to move her on is ridiculous. She really should be in a different bed or at the very least allow a draw sheet or bed pad.
Do not attempt to move her again. If she refuses to be reasonable to her caregiver and have some respect for your care and safety then she can stay in bed. Quit that client.
I had many stubborn clients and families alike over the years. Ones who would not even consider allowing a bath towel to be under them to help in transferring and repositioning them. I did it the hard way just like you. Having to use my back and strain.
My body is shot now. I need multiple surgeries. Hip replacements, knee replacements, back surgery that I'm suspicious of doing because the first one didn't work, and another shoulder surgery. Not to mention the lovely network of arthritis I have throughout my body.
Please, take it from me. DO NOT work for a client whose home is not set up properly for their needs and does not have the proper equipment neccesary to make sure the client and the caregiver can work safely to get the job done.
I learned after taking a serious injury and not being able to work for some time, that clients (or their families) who refuse to make any changes in the home to promote a safe environment for their care to happen will not be served by me. They can go pound sand and find someone else.
No client is worth you taking an injury over. They can learn the hard way that being stubborn won't get them washed, dressed, and out of bed. I would quit this client today if she or her family is unwilling to make any concessions for basic safety for her caregiver and herself.
Walk away. She's not worth it.
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Medicare will pay for a hospital bed if ordered by a doctor. Tell ur client to be able to care for her properly you need the correct equipment or it means you hurting yourself.
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BC--
Yes., I should have been trained MUCH better than I was!!

However, this was 14 years ago and water under the bridge now. It did prove a very useful skill when mother got less mobile.
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my mother went from riding in front seat of my car to access a ride. We couldn’t get her in & out of car anymore without her falling. In access a ride, she gets taken in & out while sitting in wheelchair. Hugs 🤗
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