How can you protect your lower back when helping an elderly person get in and out of bed or transfer?
UK sources show that caregivers are most likely to injure their backs. People who frequently move elderly people need to learn the correct techniques, and can also ask the local council for an assessment and free equipment. This article introduces relevant approaches to help family members protect themselves.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Automatically reviewed, without human verification. Programmatic checks are not professional review. Seek professional advice where appropriate. Automatically reviewed on 10/4/2026, 7:14:25 AM
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: How to move, lift and handle someone else - Social care and support guide - NHS · Original language: en
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Facts from the sources
In the UK, back injury is the most common injury among caregivers. View source
Caregivers who regularly lift or move other people should receive training or have the correct technique demonstrated by a healthcare professional. View source
In the UK, local councils have a duty to help caregivers avoid health and safety risks. View source
In the UK, caregivers can contact their local council to request a needs assessment for the person they care for, and apply for a caregiver assessment for themselves. View source
Local councils in the UK may offer free safe lifting and moving training courses for caregivers. View source
Local councils in the UK may provide free equipment such as hoists, standing aids, transfer boards, or slide sheets to move other people more safely and with less effort. View source
For older people and families
If you have an elderly person at home who needs to be supported, carried, or moved, don't force yourself; the lower back is most easily injured.
Ask professionals (rehabilitation therapists, nurses) how to support a person and how to turn, and practice until you are proficient before doing it.
Before moving an elderly person, clear the path and secure the wheelchair or bed to reduce sudden strain.
Use equipment whenever possible instead of relying only on human strength: slide sheets, transfer boards, standing aids and similar tools can lighten the load.
Ask the local community or civil affairs department about caregiver assessments, training, or equipment loan programmes; don't be embarrassed.
After each transfer, watch for any discomfort in your back or knees; if the soreness persists, see a doctor.
Caregiving is a long-term task. Family members can take turns; don't leave one person to handle it every day.
If the elderly person is too heavy or unable to cooperate, be sure to ask for help; don't try to move them on your own.
See what care and community teams can do
Institutions should treat caregiver back injuries as a risk point and record events related to lifting and moving.
Provide training on safe lifting and moving procedures for new employees and family members, with demonstrations by qualified personnel.
Assess each elderly person's mobility, level of cooperation, and weight, and develop individualised transfer plans.
Provide assistive equipment such as slide sheets, transfer boards, and hoists as needed, and regularly check load-bearing capacity and wear.
Integrate caregiver assessments into the service process and proactively tell family members about the community support they can apply for (according to local policies).
In training, emphasise 'use equipment rather than manual handling whenever possible' and practise the rhythm of effort for two-person cooperation.
Set up reporting channels so that staff and family members can report back discomfort or near-fall events, and adjust the plan in a timely manner.
Connect with rehabilitation or occupational therapy practitioners to provide on-site guidance for complex transfer cases.
What needs local assessment
The UK facts above reflect only some UK practices and do not indicate that China has the same systems. Families and institutions in China may take 'assessment, training, and assistive equipment' as ideas for improvement; for specifics, please consult your local civil affairs department, community health service centre, or rehabilitation department. Lifting and moving involves medical assessment, equipment load capacity, slip-resistance ratings, and room dimensions; please be sure to have professionals verify before implementation. The word 'most common' in the article does not represent an individual's probability of injury; everyone's situation is different. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This article is an independent Chinese translation and recommendation by this website, and is not an official NHS translation or content approved by it. Licence: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
Sources
UK National Health Service (NHS)Was this article helpful?
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