What is moving and handling in Home Care?

Learn more about moving and handling

If you have trained as a carer you will undoubtedly have heard of moving and handling, but unpaid carers looking after family members may not be familiar with best practices in this area. While it may seem like a simple task to help a loved one get up out of their chair, there are actually a lot of risks for both the mover and the person being moved, so it is crucial to understand the implications of unsafe moving and handling techniques. Here, we are diving into what moving and handling means, why it is so important in home care, the things you should consider if you are a family member caring for a loved one, ways to safely move those with mobility issues, and information on moving and handling training, and more. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about moving and handling, we can help. 

What is moving and handling?

Moving and handlingin the context of home care involves the safe and efficient moving of people with limited mobility, such as older adults or those with a disability. Whether they require a transfer from bed to a chair, help getting in and out of bed, bathing and moving around the home, this all usually falls under the umbrella of moving and handling, and could include lifting or repositioning using equipment, and supporting people in performing certain daily activities using specialist equipment that has been assessed as appropriate for the person’s needs, such as hoists, transfer boards, gait belts, slings, patient turners and slide sheets.Moving and handling involves specific techniques employed by care workers to make moving safe, comfortable, and a smooth process for the individual. Helping prevent injuries to both the person being moved and the person moving them, and aims to preserve the individual’s privacy, dignity and independence. 

Why is moving and handling important for people with limited mobility? 

Helping someone to move in the above ways may seem like an easy task, but the importance of ensuring this is done safely, and taking into account the person’s specific needs, cannot be overstated. Adhering to proper moving and handling practices and staying up to date with the latest training and techniques will benefit those with limited mobility by enhancing their safety and quality of life.It is also important to be mindful and precise when moving someone with mobility limitations as this can impact their self-esteem. Some people who cannot move around themselves find it uncomfortable, embarrassing and emotionally difficult when being moved by someone else, so taking time to ensure this is done correctly can help to foster trust, respect and a compassionate care environment in order to preserve their dignity. 

What do you need to consider as an unpaid carer? 

If you are an unpaid carer helping a family member with mobility issues, you should be asking yourself questions relating to:

• The safety of your loved one – What health conditions may be exacerbated by moving them?
• The dignity of your loved one – Will moving them in this way affect their self-esteem? Is there an alternative that could empower them to move more independently?  
• The comfort of your loved one – Will a move like this cause them any pain? 
• The needs of your loved one – Have you organised a Care Needs Assessment with your local council to determine whether they can provide any assistance and training for the person you need to regularly move? Do they have any complex health needs that should be taken into account when being moved, such as wounds, a feeding tube, a stoma, or a catheter? 
• Your safety – Could moving them in this way cause you any injuries or put strain on sensitive areas of your body, such as your lower back? 
• The appropriate equipment – Do you require a hoist, transfer board, gait belt or something else to successfully move the person you are caring for?
• The environment – Is there anything in the home that could pose a safety issue when undertaking moving and handling manoeuvres? Is there room to make these manoeuvres safely, or should items of furniture be cleared away to make space? 
• Communication – Does the person you are moving understand how you plan to move them? Do they need to tell you any additional information beforehand (for example, any pain they are experiencing)?
• Your own physical limitations – Will you need any additional help to successfully move the person, based on any limitations you have with your own mobility?
• The latest advice – Are you up to date on the latest knowledge and skills needed to provide effective and safe care to the person you are moving? 

As an unpaid carer, you should still be seeking the latest guidance from your local council on the best practices for moving and handling. A Care Needs Assessment is a good place to begin with this, but you can also reach out to your local council to ask about what else they could offer. Many councils run free training courses on safe moving and handling, or they can provide assistance as you look for an appropriate course yourself. In addition, your local council may be able to provide you with equipment to help make moving and handling someone easier, safer and more comfortable for both of you. If you would like to buy equipment like this, it is always best to seek advice from a social worker or the person who conducts the Care Needs Assessment so they can help you order the most relevant items for your needs.

Why are drag lifts not recommended? 

Since the 1980s, drag lifts – the act of lifting someone from underneath their shoulders using your elbows – are no longer used due to safety issues. They are known to pose problems for both the carer and the person being moved, and can heighten the risk of skin tears, bruising, strain, shoulder injuries, discomfort and more due to a lack of control. Equipment such as hoists and transfer boards are considered much safer than drag lifts. 

Some other things to avoid include lifting people with their arms locked around your neck, manually lifting them back onto their feet from the floor after a fall, lifting them out of the bath without an aid, lifting them by the upper arms, and more. Despite manual lifting often being a quicker way to get a task done, this does not mean it is more effective or safer, so be patient and take the time to use the correct equipment. 

What training do paid carers receive for moving and handling?

Carers typically receive comprehensive training for moving and handling through the agency they are employed with, in order to ensure safe and effective care. This training will be different depending on the agency, but will usually cover a range of topics such as proper lifting techniques, the use of assistive equipment (hoists, transfer belts, etc.), risk assessments for different transfer scenarios, causes of injury, legislation, and more. 

Carers will often be required to learn through a combination of classroom theory and practical experience, and may shadow other carers first to observe good techniques. Training is focused on the importance of maintaining their own physical health and safety to preserve their working abilities while also safely assisting their client. They may also be trained in things like communication skills to explain the moving and handling process to clients, and how to promote dignity and respect during manoeuvres. Following training, carers will also be required to demonstrate their competence in using the appropriate equipment for different scenarios. 

Overall, the goal of training is to prevent carer injuries, protect the people being moved, promote the use of mobility equipment, and adhere to the latest regulations. Do not hesitate to ask your care provider or agency about the training their carers go through, as this is an important part of care work and should be taken seriously.  

Training in moving and handling for carers is ongoing in nature, and continued education and updates will be required to ensure they are always aware of the latest knowledge and best practices recommended for safe and confident moving and handling. 

If you are caring for a loved one and require assistance with moving and handling, our experienced Care Professionals are the best of the best, and highly trained to deliver the services you need – whether this means an extra pair of trained hands to help you move your loved one on a daily basis, or a complete care package to help with their personal care, mobility, complex care needs and more. 

Feel free to reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your current situation and explore the many ways our Care Professionals could help. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.