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Consider this common scenario: Your dad can't get out of bed and into his wheelchair without help. As his daughter and caregiver, the task is easier said than done since he's a 6-feet-tall, 250-pound guy and you're a petite, 120-pound girl. By Michelle Seitzer Without adequate training on how best to transfer her dad -- and without physical or mechanical assistance (i.e. a patient lift or a lifting belt) -- it may just be a matter of time before the daughter, and possibly her father, are hurt or injured. The harm or damage may happen immediately or surface after. The Centers for Disease Control mention "overexertion events" as the "top source of ...claims and costs in health care settings." Nurses and other frontline nursing staff endure chronic back pain and shoulder injuries, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more back -- experienced both on and off the job -- than any other profession, says this CDC post. The problem of safe patient handling becomes of greater value, as obesity rates continue to soar, and as family and professional caregivers age. Furthermore, the nursing shortage will strike 250,000 by the year 2025 (based on research referenced in the above CDC post). There are safe patient handling laws in a few hospitals and healthcare facilities, but thus far, they have only been enacted in 10 states (source: American Nurses Association), and these laws do not cover health professionals at home or in the community. A caregiver for someone with mobility challenges is most likely "lifting" their patient or loved one multiple times throughout a 24 hour span, and like the father-daughter example, most caregiver/caree pairs are often not well matched in terms of strength and size. Do not let that stop you from lifting practices that are safe though. Consider these tips: 1. Communicate together with the person you are lifting. Do not just come up behind them without warning or without a plan. Put them at ease, tell them you want to transfer them, and to where. Speak with them throughout the transfer. Do not run. https://www.facebook.com/clashofclansfreeGemHacks . Do not use your rear to lift. Rather, focus on using the strength. 3. Assist, do not lift. Make the move a joint effort. Request the individual to help you in any way that is possible. 4. Don't lift from the waistline of the patient, says Wade McKinney, aka "TheTransferGuy." Doing so is more likely to cause injury and less easy. Rather, "have the patient push up using their arms and support their forearms just below the elbows." He advises that this technique isn't perfect for all patients, "especially people who need considerably more support." 5. Use a patient lift. It's one of the safest, most comfortable dignity-preserving processes accessible, and it is fairly affordable also. Divide the cost with another caregiving neighbor, if need be, or ask family members to assist cover the fee. Prices range from $600 to $6000, according to the kind of lift. Need to find out more on the subject of patient lifts? Visit our website to view a wide selection of slings, lifts, lifting systems and accessories from top manufacturers that will fulfill various needs (i.e. lifting multiple patients, needing to transport the lift to other rooms, or a lift designed specifically for getting into a pool).