As a care assistant, you will be instructed, trained, and tested on a variety of types of mobility assistance for a variety of disabilities and other access and functional needs.

These include the use of wheelchairs, assisting the visually impaired or blind, and clients with needs for assistive devices such as canes, walkers, crutches, and an unsteady gait.

If you offer to help someone and they refuse, stand by and be ready to assist if necessary, but do not force your help on any unwilling client.

Encourage the client to assist him or herself as much as possible by pushing off from a chair, for instance.

A key to efficiently helping clients move or relocate safely is good body mechanics such as alignment, balance, and coordination.

Alignment is good posture.

To practice good alignment while standing, keep your knees slightly bent and stand with your feet shoulder width apart.

Put your weight evenly distributed on both legs and keep your shoulders straight and centered over your hips.

Your stomach muscles should be tightened with your buttocks tucked under while your head is up and your chin level.

Balance is stability achieved through the even distribution of weight.

Having a wide base of support and keeping the heaviest part of your body, or center of gravity, close to your base of support helps you to stay balanced.

When standing, your feet and legs are your base of support and your torso is your center of gravity.

Therefore, spreading your legs apart and bending your knees to bring your torso lower helps you to remain stable on your feet.

To improve stability for the client and to prevent falls, a gait belt can be used.

The use of gait belts are encouraged for helping clients stand and walk.

There are a variety of gait belts available.

Familiarize yourself with the type you will be using.

I'm going to tighten this to secure it just a little bit.

How's that feel?

We're going to get up on the count of three.

I want you to plant your feet shoulder width apart.

Okay.

One, two, three.

Gait belts should be used by putting the belt around the client's waist over his or her clothing with the buckle in front.

Thread the belt through the teeth of the buckle and continue to feed the belt through the buckle and test to see that the buckle is locked.

Be sure the belt is snug with just enough room to get your fingers under it.

Grip the belt tightly at the waist aligned with the hips of the client and use your body mechanics for balance and stability.

Bend your knees and keep your back straight.

Lift or move the person with your arm and leg muscles but do not use your back muscles.

Do not twist your body when you move or lift the person as this will decrease stability and can result in injury to you or the client.

When you are done moving or walking with the client, remove the gait belt.

Hi, Mr. Stevens.

I'm Keisha.

Hi, Keisha.

I hear that you want to go and check out the information kiosk.

Oh, yeah.

There's some phone numbers that I want to look for when I'm out there.

Okay.

Do you need any assistance?

Yeah, I'm probably going to need some help getting out of this cot.

Okay.

Can you sit up?

Okay.

If you can sit up and put your feet on the floor.

Put your walker over here.

I'm going to help you by lifting you with your belt.

Is that okay?

I want you to plant your feet shoulder width apart and we're going to lift on the count of three.

Are you ready?

One, two, three.

Okay.

If the client is using an assistive device for walking, make sure it is positioned properly.

The client's mobility device, in this case a walker, should be placed wherever it is most comfortable for the client.

Most commonly, the placement would be in front of the client.

If necessary, help the client to stand up.

Stand slightly behind the client on the client's weaker side.

Starting on the same foot as the client, walk on his or her weaker side and a little behind.

Grasp the gait belt on the backside of the client's waist with your palms up.

Remember, when a gait belt is not being used, the care assistant can use the client's belt or hold onto the client's arm on his weak side.

If the client has been lying down in bed, allow them to sit on the edge of the bed with their feet flat on the floor for at least two minutes before continuing.

Some dizziness is common when a client sits up after being in bed for a while.

If the dizziness occurs, wait for it to pass within two minutes.

If the dizziness does not pass or gets worse, or if the client becomes sweaty or short of breath, or if the client is in any pain, help the client to lie back down and report your observations to health services.

Assist the client with putting on suitable outerwear and footwear as necessary.

Place and utilize a gait belt if available.

We're going to back you up to this chair.

You want to let the backs of your knees hit the chair as you go down.

How's that?

That's good, thank you.

Can I get you anything else?

No, no thank you.

I'm good, thank you.

Okay, I'll be back to check on you later.

After reaching the location where the client will sit or lay down, ensure the client's comfort and good body alignment.

Adjust equipment as needed to ensure stability and safety.

Clean up your area, wash your hands, and report and record.

Hi, I'm Keisha.

How are you?

Well, hi Keisha.

I'm Jonathan.

How are you doing?

I'm doing well, thank you.

Nice to meet you, Jonathan.

Nice to meet you, too.

Can I do anything to assist you?

Yeah, sorry to bother, but I could use a little help getting to the bathroom, please.

No bother at all.

Just let me know how to guide you.

I'm standing right to your left.

Oh, great.

I think just a hand on the shoulder will work.

Absolutely.

We're approaching an entryway.

Okay.

And the men's room door is just two steps ahead.

If the client is visually impaired or blind, approach the client with your voice and offer your services.

Ask the client, how can I assist you?

Let the client give you direction about the assistance they need.

If you are helping them walk, stand slightly in front and to the side of the client.

Place the client's hand on your shoulder and slowly proceed to walk.

Always let the client know when you approach a doorway.

If there are steps, provide the number of steps or indicate if there are any other obstacles.

Many clients will have assistive devices to help them move about.

Oh.

Are you okay?

I'm feeling really weak.

I'm going to get behind you and support you.

Oh, my God.

I'm going to fall.

I think I'm going to fall.

Oh, thank you.

Can I get some help?

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Take it easy.

Should a client begin to collapse during transit, it is important to minimize the chance for injury.

To do this, put your arms around the client's waist or under their arms and hug the client's torso close to your body.

Place one foot behind the other and widen your base of support.

Bend your knees and lower the client slowly to the floor by sliding them down your leg.

Lower yourself to the floor and sit beside the client and call for help.

While waiting for help to arrive, stay with the client, provide assurance, and make them comfortable.

For more information, visit www.FEMA.gov