People who have trouble walking

If you help to look after someone who needs help getting up out of bed or after a fall, you need to know how to avoid hurting your back:

• The safest thing is not to lift! If the person you look after often falls over or needs help getting out of bed or into a wheelchair, you might be able to get some help from a Social Worker. They might give your family a “hoist” which is a mechanical lifting device or they might help your family put ramps or grab rails in your house to help someone get about. They might give you a “home carer” which is a trained person to help you. A Young Carers Project can help you ask a social worker for help (but only if you want them too).
• If someone needs help getting up out of bed or after falling, can you bring them something to help them lift themselves? A chair might help someone get off the floor. Maybe they could have grab rails put in the places they often need help.

If you have to lift, it is better to:

• Stand close to the load with your feet shoulder width apart.
• Squat down, bending at your hips and knees, not at your back.
• As you grip the load, arch your lower back inward by pulling your shoulders back and sticking your chest out. This keeps your back in its natural straight shape and is less risky.
• Keep the load close to your body while you lift. The closer the load is to your body, the less weight goes on to your back.
• When you put the load down, squat down, bending at your hips and knees, and keeping your lower back arched in.

If you get any pain in your back or down your leg, it is important not to lift anything heavy and to get advice from your doctor or school nurse straight away.

A physiotherapist ("physio" for short) can teach you how to lift and carry safely. Your doctor could arrange for you to see a physio.