Caregivers are incredibly special people. It’s hard to imagine any individual who is more selfless than a person who devotes his/her time to helping those who are in need of both emotional and physical assistance. Especially when those people in need are elderly, caregivers are particularly exceptional. Naturally, providing care for an older person requires great amounts of patience, kindness and gentleness. These are not traits carried by everybody.
Some caregivers perform their duties in professional capacities, while others do so out of the kindness of their hearts. In many cases, caregivers are family members with the people requiring the care. Regardless of the type of caregiver you are, the team at LifeCare Mobility Solutions salutes you. We thank you on behalf of everyone with mobility issues who depends on others to help them day in and day out.
Does the person you’re caring for require the use of a wheelchair? If so, here are three helpful tips that will assist you in providing them with constant comfort and safety.
Tip #1: Practicing safety during transfers to and from the wheelchair.
Depending on the overall size, height and weight of the person you’re caring for (and, of course, your own size, height and weight), performing a wheelchair transfer can be tricky. To maximize safety, be sure to apply the wheelchair brakes. As Elizz.com points out, not having the brakes secured could result in sudden movements in the wheelchair that may lead to injury to both parties.
As well, it’s important that you “ensure the leg rests are removed or swung to the side before transferring,” advises the website, “Leaving the leg rests in place and just flipping up the footrests can create a tripping hazard.”
Tip #2: Keeping up with proper wheelchair maintenance.
Branching off of that last point, it’s a good idea to regularly check the wheelchair’s brakes. You want to make sure that they lock tightly to prevent accidents, notes Kathy Birkett on SeniorCareCorner.com. She also points out that it’s important to never overload the wheelchair with any heavy bags that could cause it to tip over. In addition, keeping the wheelchair clean will help to prolong its life.
Don’t forget to check the wheels regularly, as well. “Be sure the wheels aren’t loose or have flat tires, which may impact its braking ability,” writes Birkett, “Don’t forget the spokes, which can keep the chair from moving freely if they are broken. In addition, keep the spokes clear of obstructions such as lap blankets.”
Tip #3: Securing a high-quality wheelchair for your care recipient.
To be perfectly honest, this should have been our first tip. The better the wheelchair, the safer your care recipient will be. At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we proudly offer both electric and lightweight, foldable manual wheelchairs. We carry a variety of high-quality wheelchair products including Invacare, Pride, PowerPlus Mobility and Helio.
If you have any questions about the wheelchairs offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 647-350-4488 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
