Advice on lifting

You should never attempt to carry anyone on your own as you could hurt yourself and the person. Simply supporting someone who is heavy can be risky unless you are very careful. That is why it is so important to ask an expert for advice on the safest ways to lift and support the person. If you do have to lift someone, make sure you get help.

• Both of you should keep your feet apart and firmly on the ground when lifting.  Bend at the knees and hips.  Keep close to the person. Say what you want him or her to do.
• Always take your time and never lift the other person's weight till you are absolutely comfortable.
• Lifting and twisting can damage your back. Avoid twisting movements by rearranging the furniture or taking things in easy stages.
• Never pull the person up by the arms as this can harm his or her shoulders.
• Make sure there is enough room to move and there is nothing in the way.

Helping the person out of a chair

It is harder to get up from a low chair.  If the chair is too low for the person, a cushion on the seat may help.  Chairs with firm arms will help the person to manage better.

If the person can co-operate easily

• Stand at the side of the chair and encourage the person to move forward and to the edge of the chair near you.
• The person’s feet should be firmly on the ground and tucked back.
• Take hold of the hand nearest to you, palm to palm, and put your other hand firmly against his back, under his arm on the opposite side.
• You can then support him to stand up.

If the person cannot co-operate easily

• Stand in front of him and put his arms round the top of your shoulders (not your neck) and your hands against the small of his back (at waist level).
• Your knees should be against his knees with your feet blocking his feet.
• Keep your back as straight as you can as you help him up.

Helping the person out of bed

• Help the person to roll to the edge of the bed where you are standing.
• Guide him to bring his legs over the side of the bed and then to sit, putting his feet firmly on the floor.
• You can then help him up as from a chair.

Helping someone up from the floor

If the person has a fall, first make sure that he or she is not injured. If you think the person has been hurt, make him comfortable and call for help. If he is not injured you can help him to get up.

• Put a firm chair at his side.
• Help him to kneel and place one hand on the chair, leaning against it.
• Take hold of his other hand and support him under the arm, with your free hand around his back.
• Encourage him to push on the chair with his hand and to use his legs to help you to help him to stand.

If he is unable to co-operate or if he is heavy and the floor is warm and comfortable, give him a blanket and pillow and let him stay there until you can get help.