When doing house-cleaning tasks including mopping and scrubbing, watch out for back and shoulder injuries as well as general aches and pains.
In this post on caregiver safety, we present-
- Tools as well as tips that can help both caregiver and client stay safe.
- A talk it over section with a suggestion of what you could say, for more effective communication.
- Tips on where to find help.
Tools
Use these things to make the tasks safer:
- A long-handled duster, mop, and scrub brush to limit bending while you clean the floor, walls, tubs, and toilets.
- A stepstool to help you clean high places without over-reaching and possibly losing your balance.
- Knee pads or a folded towel to cushion your knees.
Tips
- Avoid reaching and bending. Move as close as possible to the task. For example, when making a bed, walk around it so you don’t have to reach. Raise the bed if it is adjustable.
- Every few minutes, stretch and change positions. Switch hands if you can.
- Try not to twist your body—move your feet instead. Bend your knees, not your back. When lifting a heavy object, hold it close to your body. Lift with your legs. This puts less stress on your back. If it’s too heavy to lift without strain, get help.
- If you move furniture to clean the floor, push, don’t pull. If it’s too hard to move, get help. Put casters on the feet of heavy furniture so it is easier to move.
Talk it over
You could say this: “Tools with long handles make it easier on my back and help me stay strong and healthy enough to keep working.” Please check out How Caregiver and Client Should Talk to Each Other About Safety for related tips for effectively communicating your concerns to each other.
Find help
Hardware and discount stores (e.g. Orchard, Costco Wholesale, and Ace) sell step-stools, long-handled tools, kneepads, and casters and sliders for furniture. To make good use of the above tips, we encourage you to keep track of good ideas to make your work safer and fill out your own to do list like the one below.
To do list
Supplies needed:
□ Long-handled duster, mop, scrub brush
□ Stepstool
□ Kneepads
□ Other: __________________________________________
Safety tips you will follow/New ways to do the tasks:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Issues you need to discuss:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
People or organizations to contact for help, tools, or information:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Building on the above to do list, you can combine them with other to do lists from the other tips in this series to create your own combined action plan for safety and keep it on hand to remind you both about staying safe.
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