Occupational Therapy: Supporting Carers with Safe Moving & Handling Training at Home
Caring for a loved one or client with limited mobility involves significant physical demands. Knowing how to assist with moving and transfers safely is crucial to prevent injury – both for the person you are caring for and for yourself. Medella Home Physio & OT offers personalised, practical training sessions led by experienced Occupational Therapists (OTs), delivered in the home environment across Hampshire and Dorset, empowering carers with the skills and confidence needed for safe moving and handling.
Confidently Supporting Your Loved One: Practical Training for Carers
Generic moving and handling courses often teach techniques in a classroom setting. Our OT-led training is different. We focus on providing bespoke training that is directly relevant to your specific situation, considering the individual you care for, your home layout, and the equipment you use every day.
Who is This Training For?
Our training is designed for:
- Family members (spouses, partners, children, relatives) or friends who provide regular, unpaid care involving physical assistance.
- Privately employed Personal Assistants (PAs) or carers who require tailored training specific to their client and home environment.
- Anyone providing care at home who wants to learn safer techniques and reduce the risk of injury.
What Does the Training Cover?
Training content is always customised following a discussion about your needs, but typically includes:
- Understanding the principles of safe moving and handling (risk assessment, biomechanics, communication).
- Practising specific transfer techniques relevant to your situation (e.g., assisting sit-to-stand, bed mobility, turning in bed, wheelchair transfers).
- Safe use of any specific handling equipment already prescribed or available (e.g., slide sheets, transfer boards, handling belts, hoists, stand aids). Note: We train on existing equipment; we don’t supply new equipment via this service.
- Techniques for assisting safely with personal care tasks involving repositioning.
- Advice on back care and posture for the carer.
- Guidance on encouraging the person being cared for to participate safely where possible.
Training Delivered by Experienced Occupational Therapists
Our HCPC-registered Occupational Therapists are not only skilled in moving and handling principles and techniques but also experienced adult educators. They provide training in a clear, patient, and supportive manner.
Why Choose OT-Led Moving & Handling Training at Home?
Training provided by our Occupational Therapists in the home offers unique advantages:
- Highly Personalised: Tailored specifically to the needs of the person being cared for (their condition, size, weight, level of cooperation) and the capabilities of the carer(s).
- Real-World Environment: Learn and practise techniques using the actual bed, chairs, toilet, bath, hoist, slide sheets, or other equipment within the home. This makes the training far more effective and relevant than generic scenarios.
- Task-Specific: Focuses on the actual transfers and handling tasks you perform regularly (e.g., assisting from lying to sitting in bed, moving from wheelchair to toilet, repositioning in a chair).
- Problem-Solving Approach: Our OTs can help troubleshoot specific handling challenges you face, finding the safest and most efficient solutions for your situation.
- Confidence Building: Hands-on practice in a supportive environment builds your confidence in applying techniques correctly.
- Holistic View: OTs consider the activity’s purpose within the daily routine, promoting the person’s participation where possible.
Benefits for Carers and Those They Support
- Reduced Risk of Injury: Minimises the chance of strains or injuries for both the carer and the person being assisted.
- Increased Carer Confidence: Feel more competent and less anxious about performing handling tasks.
- Improved Safety & Comfort: Ensures transfers and movements are performed more securely and comfortably.
- Effective Equipment Use: Learn the correct and safe way to use any handling aids.
- Reduced Carer Strain: Learn techniques that are less physically demanding.
- Empowerment: Gives carers the skills needed to provide safe, effective support.
Serving Families and Carers in Hampshire and Dorset
Medella Home Physio & OT provides personalised carer training sessions within homes throughout Hampshire and Dorset.
Arrange Personalised Carer Training
Investing in safe moving and handling training is investing in the well-being of both yourself and the person you care for. Contact Medella Home Physio & OT today to discuss your specific needs and arrange a tailored training session with one of our experienced OTs.