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Consider this common scenario: Your papa can not get out of bed and into his wheelchair without assistance. As caregiver and his daughter, the job is easier said than done since he's a 6-feet-tall, 250-pound man and you are a bantam, 120-pound girl. By Michelle Seitzer Without adequate training on how best to transfer her dad -- and without physical or mechanical assistance (i.e. a patient lift or a lifting belt) -- it may simply be a matter of time before the daughter, and perhaps her father, are hurt or injured. The injury or damage may occur immediately or surface afterwards. The Centers for Disease Control mention "overexertion incidents" as the "leading source of ...claims and costs in healthcare settings." Other frontline nursing staff and nurses suffer more back and shoulder injuries, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic back pain -- experienced both on and off the job -- than just about any other profession, says this CDC post. The problem of safe patient handling becomes of greater relevance, as obesity rates continue to soar, and as professional and family caregivers age. In addition, the nursing shortage will strike 250,000 by the year 2025 (based on research referenced in the preceding CDC article). There are safe patient handling laws in certain hospitals and healthcare facilities, but thus far, they've just been enacted in 10 states (source: American Nurses Association), and such laws don't cover health professionals at home or in the community. A caregiver for someone with mobility challenges is most likely "lifting" their patient or loved one multiple times throughout a 24 hour span, and like the daddy-daughter example, most caregiver/caree pairs are usually not well-matched in terms of strength and size. Do not let that stop you from lifting practices that are safe though. Consider these tips: 1. Communicate together with the person you're lifting. Do not just come up behind them without warning or without a strategy. Put them at ease, tell them how you intend to transfer them, and to where. Speak with them through the transfer. Don't hurry. 2. Do not use your rear to lift. Instead, focus on utilizing the strength in your legs. 3. Assist, don't lift. Make the move a combined effort. Request the individual that will help you in any possible manner. 4. Don't lift from the waistline of the patient, says Wade McKinney, aka "TheTransferGuy." Doing so is less easy and more prone to cause injury. Rather, "have the patient push up using their arms and support their forearms just below the elbows." He counsels this technique is not perfect for many patients, "especially people who need considerably more aid." 5. Utilize a patient lift. It is one of the safest, most comfortable dignity-preserving methods available, and it's http://www.entrepreneursoncampus.com.au/activity/464950/ . Divide the cost with a different caregiving neighbor, if need be, or ask family members to assist cover the cost. Prices range from $600 to $6000, determined by the kind of lift. Need to find out more on the subject of patient lifts? Visit our website to view a range of slings, lifts, lifting systems and accessories from top manufacturers that could fulfill various needs (i.e. lifting multiple patients, needing to transport the lift to other rooms, or a lift designed specifically for getting into a pool).