Obese client, too much for my back.

[Cucumberpitta]

I've just started work for a company as a carer delivering personal care in clients' homes.

One of the clients has no mobility in her legs and is morbidly obese. She is gantry- hoisted from her recliner chair to her bed to receive a bed bath.

Firstly, she is extremely heavy and even with slide sheets I struggle to assist her onto her sides, and in any case it is very difficult to clean her sufficiently due to the fact she is very overweight.

When lowering her back into her recliner chair using the hoist, she requests that we push her as far back into the seat as we can so that she is upright and doesn't start to 'slide' or 'slouch' in the chair. Unfortunately the foot rest of the recliner is extended to stop her from sliding down, so I literally have to bend over it at 90 degrees and push with all my strength as she is lowering.

I have only been to her twice and each time I feel my lower back suffering afterwards.

My managers are chasing the OT to reassess and have said they will make sure my shifts only include her alternately to give my back a break.

Two other carers have stated similar concerns.

The client refuses a male carer and a residential home.

Has anyone got any advice for me? I don't want to rock the boat too much as I'm new. I really feel for this client too and not sure what the solution is.

@Cucumberpitta - If you like care work, look at your local hospital.

@Cucumberpitta yes. With the odd exception for certain ceiling tract hoists. Gantry hoists are double up as are manual hoists.

@Cucumberpitta have you been given manual handling training?

If this was my agency I would make a formal request to the OT to come out to the patient and demonstrate to the carer how her care needs can be met by one person without risk of injury.

Advice on staffing for use of gantry hoists is often weasel worded.

See this as an example

wealdenrehab.com/blog/can-a-ceiling-hoist-be-used-by-one-person

But I think that is to allow eg a strong carer to deal with a light service user in some circumstances.

If the service user is obese there should always be two people

I thought as soon as a hoist was involved it was a two person job. That's what it becomes with my dad anyway

I'm so confused.

It seems that with home care the health and safety isn't considered as much and the council really resist paying for it.

I've been told that another carer is going to meet me there at my next shift to show me how she does it without hurting her back. I know of two other carers that have said their backs get sore though.

[quote Muchmorethan]@Cucumberpitta - If you like care work, look at your local hospital.[/quote]
I did look at HCA roles but u can't fit the 12 hour shifts around my children unfortunately.

I mean I, not u!

[quote Dobbysgotthesocks]@Cucumberpitta have you been given manual handling training? [/quote]
We got the standard one day in office with their equipment, how to roll a patient to put sling under them, how to use a hoist etc. No mention of having to have two people obviously.

I did attend visits with this lady with other carers three times though!

@foodiscomplicated

I thought as soon as a hoist was involved it was a two person job. That's what it becomes with my dad anyway

Looks like some care companies have this in their policy and some don't.

@Cucumberpitta

I've been told that another carer is going to meet me there at my next shift to show me how she does it without hurting her back. I know of two other carers that have said their backs get sore though.

Well that's a start but I'd highly recommend looking elsewhere for a job. This is just appalling. Clients and staff are in danger here.

@Fantails I'm convinced it's not going to make a difference. I don't see how the other carer can possibly be doing it in a way that wouldn't hurt my back. I will remain open minded though.

@Cucumberpitta tbh I would look for another agency! The one your with clearly isn't following any proper health and safety rules. I would get out and find another who take client and staff safety more seriously. There are ample jobs in care right now so you should be able to find alternatives relatively easily

Move companies. There is a shortage of carers. You'll get another job pretty easily.

I will consider moving companies if they try and insist I keep attending alone. Its a shame as this company are rare in that they actually pay a loving wage, overtime, travel time.

*Living wage

Have you considered not doing what she asks?

The OP said that the client asks to be pushed back , but I think you have to say no you are unable without someone else to help

Does her sling have a handle of the back of it? I work in a hospital and when helping a patient into the chair from the hoist that may slide down/slouch, I usually go behind the chair and kind of “pull up” with the handle. Bad description but I’m sure you could figure out what I mean that may be easier. This is assuming you can get behind the chair while still pressing the button to lower the hoist? X

This is care I'm afraid.
Years In care, have seen it all. Anyone requiring a hoist and not a stand aid should be seen in pairs anyway, that's moving and handling basic safety.
I was 30 weeks pregnant with suspected pre eclampsia and on one shift was left alone for 12 hours to 23 residents, none of which were residential. I'm not ashamed to say I reported my own place of work to CQC for neglect. My residents were not given the care they needed, even basic care due to budget cuts. I spent my days off taking them out, and doing basic things like hair washes that we were told to "skip as you don't have time for that".
I ended up being signed off for a large amount of time due to back damage, and after one Christmas when they announced they had no money to buy the residents gifts but spent a tonne on the staff party I lost my shit. No one in management worked Christmas Day, in the end I bought my entire floor their gifts myself, worked Christmas and quit.
The home was sold out from under the company as it was deemed unfit for purpose due to staffing ratios.
A real shame - the other colleagues I worked with were fantastic, we loved our residents and we were bloody good at our job. We never stood a chance and it will always be the same.

Don't be afraid to speak up op, it's not good enough for you, or the client.

@Duxiejhrhrvjz

Does her sling have a handle of the back of it? I work in a hospital and when helping a patient into the chair from the hoist that may slide down/slouch, I usually go behind the chair and kind of “pull up” with the handle. Bad description but I’m sure you could figure out what I mean that may be easier. This is assuming you can get behind the chair while still pressing the button to lower the hoist? X

No we cannot get to the back of the chair unfortunately.

Honestly you come first. Stop pushing her back into the chair. Explain that you cannot do this, let your boss know. She won't die, just be a little uncomfortable.

I would just say you won’t go there alone. I doubt they will fire you because carers are needed so desperately.