When it comes to looking after our elderly, this is something which should be done right. As we get older, our bodies will turn frail leading to weak joints and slow mobility.
Whilst the concept of getting up out of a chair may seem simple, this can be a very difficult task for those who are much older. Because of this, it is important to use both care and caution and to help the elderly with this simple movement.
There was one time when they would help us when we needed it, and now it is time to help our elderly.
Not being able to get out of a chair is nothing to be ashamed of as it is the normal way of life, so helping the elderly with this should be done in a practical and sensible manner.
Helping An Elderly Person Up from A Chair
Helping an elderly person up from their chair may be nerve-racking, especially once knowing that their bones and joints are very brittle compared to ours.
Lifting an elderly person up should be done carefully so as to not hurt them. You also need to consider their emotions towards this and make this task as natural as possible.
Below, we will be guiding you through how you can help an elderly person up from their chair.
Communicate
When helping the elderly, communication is key. Before you even think about helping them up, you should first communicate to them what you are doing.
Let them know that you are about to help them out of their chair so that they can prepare for it too.
Remember, although some elderly people may find it difficult to hear and communicate well, they are still human. Communication is vital.
Check The Surrounding Area
You want to make sure that the surrounding area is clear before helping them up. If you weren’t to do this and there were items in the way or the floor was slippery, this can lead to further complications for that elderly person.
Move any things away from them which could be hazardous. You want to know that when they are out of their seat they can go about their own business with no added harm.
Get Into Position
You can now get into position. To do this, stand up with your back straight, head up, shoulders back and head high. Make sure that your feet are as wide apart as your hips.
Ensure that you are as close as possible to the patient, allowing you full power and guidance over the situation, and bend your knees and hips.
Lift
After getting into position, you can then move on to lifting them out of their seat. To do this, it Is very important to lift with your leg muscles and not your arms.
You should also avoid twisting your waist as you lift as this can lead to injury. Many people think that to lift an elderly person out of their chair is to do all the work, but this is not the case.
When doing this, you want them to be doing most of the moving. You will only be there to help guide them to prevent them from hurting themselves or falling.
Once they are out of their chair, you can either help them to their wheelchair or wherever they want to go or leave them to continue on by themselves.
This all depends on the strength of their elderly person and how capable they are to do things by themselves.
Things To Remember When Helping An Elderly Person
When assisting an elderly person, there are many things which should be remembered. This is not only for their safety but for the sake of their emotional wellbeing.
By remembering these points, you will find that the process will go a lot smoother.
Never Rush
It is very important to be patient in a situation like this. It may seem like a pain to have to help them up slowly, however they need this help and it should be provided on their own terms.
If they need to move slowly, then allow them to do so. Rushing them will not only cause potential injury but will lower their confidence and self-esteem.
Let Them Do Most Of The Work
When lifting up an elderly person from their chair, you want it to be them doing most of the work. Although it may be difficult, elderly people are very capable so you should give them this chance.
They cannot get out of their chair alone which is why they need help, but you should remember that you are only their assistance.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
If you need help in assisting them, then you should never be afraid to ask for help. It is not always easy to guide an elderly person out of their chair alone, even if they are doing most of the work.
It may be that they have lost their balance and you can’t help or you simply don’t have the confidence. If this happens, just ask for help. Nobody will shame you for doing so.
Don’t Pull
When it comes to lifting someone out of their chair, a lot of people think to pull by the arms. This is something you should never do. Instead, you should always hold them by the hips as to allow easy lifting with no pain or accidents.
Final Thoughts
As we reach a certain age, we will eventually need help with simple movements such as getting out of a chair, so it is important to respect our elderly who need this help.
Helping them up from their seat is very easy and only requires a few steps. As long as it is done correctly, you can be assured that they will be safe and happy.