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The most commonly injured areas for caregivers are the back, neck, and shoulders. These injuries are often caused by overuse — repeating the same lifting or pulling motions again and again.

Caregivers are at greatest risk of injury when they are:

• Pulling a person who is reclining in bed into a sitting position.
• Transferring a person from a bed to a wheelchair.
• Leaning over a person for long periods of time, such as while bathing or feeding the person.

Using proper lifting techniques can help prevent injury. The following general guidelines can help you to lift and transfer patients safely. Many communities and local hospitals also provide training to help non-professionals properly care for a family member at home.

These are some general tips to follow when you lift or move a person:

• Keep your head and neck in proper alignment with your spine before and during lifting; your head, neck, and back should be as straight as possible.
• Tighten your core and back muscles to provide added support and stability.
• Ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the ground.
• When you have to squat, maintain the natural curve of your spine; bend with your hips and knees, rather than from your back, ensuring that your knees do not protrude (stick out) further than your feet.
• Avoid twisting your body when carrying a person.
• Always keep the person who is being moved close to your body to prevent back strain from leaning forward.
• Place one of your feet between the lifted person's feet and your other foot outside of the lifted person's feet, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart to maintain your balance.
• Use the muscles in your legs for heavy lifting; avoid using your back. Use your arms only to support the person being lifted.
• Avoid sudden or jerking motions.
• If the person is uncooperative, too heavy, or in an awkward position, get help. Do not lift more than you can comfortably handle.
• Be sure to always plan the movement beforehand and, if possible, communicate with the person you are moving.

Sitting Up in Bed

To move a person who is lying in bed to a wheelchair, first put the chair close to the bed and lock the wheels.

• If the person is not physically able to push up with their hands to a sitting position: Place one of your arms under the person's legs and your other arm under their back. Have the person being lifted clasp their hands close to their chest.
• If the person is physically able to push up with their hands to a sitting position: Make sure they know that they are supposed to push to help them sit up, rather than pulling on you or the bed rails. 
• Move the person's legs over the edge of the bed while pivoting their body so that the person ends up sitting on the edge of the bed.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees bent, and your back in a natural straight position. If you must turn, pivot on one foot rather than twisting your body.

Sitting up in bed

Standing Up

Ensure that the wheelchair is in a locked position prior to any movement. To assist the person into the wheelchair:

• Position the person's feet on the floor and slightly apart.
• Face the person and place their hands on the bed or on your shoulders. Avoid letting the person place their hands near or around your neck.
• Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your knees bent. Place your arms around the person's back and clasp your hands together.
• Hold the person close to you, lean back, and shift your weight.

Nurses, physical therapists, and others in hospitals often use lifting belts fastened around a person's waist to help with these types of movements. The caregiver then grasps the belt when lifting the patient.

Standing up

Sitting Down

Ensure that the wheelchair is locked and stable before lowering the person into the chair.

• Pivot toward the wheelchair, bend your knees, and lower the person into the chair.
• Make sure the person has both hands on the arms of the chair before you lower them down.

Sitting down

If you do become injured after lifting the person you are caring for, seek medical treatment.