Moving and handling: how our carers keep your loved one safe and mobile
As we get older, the everyday movements most of us take for granted, getting out of bed, rising from a chair, walking to the bathroom, can become harder and, at times, risky. So it is a very natural question for families to ask: can a live-in carer help with this, safely?
The answer is yes. Helping someone move safely and comfortably, known in care as "moving and handling," is a core part of what our carers do. But how it is done matters enormously, both for your loved one's safety and for their dignity. Here is how our carers approach it.
Why safe moving and handling matters
Helping someone move might look simple, but done without the right skill it can lead to falls, injuries, pain or a real loss of confidence, for the person being helped and the person helping. Done well, on the other hand, it keeps your loved one safe and comfortable while helping them stay as mobile and independent as possible. It is a genuine skill, and we treat it as one.
Skilled, trained support, not guesswork
Every Edyn carer completes moving and handling training before they ever support someone's mobility, and refreshes that training every year. We also make sure their skills stay sharp through supervision, spot checks and observation of their practice in the home. So when a carer helps your loved one move, it is with proper technique and genuine competence behind it.
Tailored to your loved one
Before care begins, we complete a bespoke moving and handling risk assessment for your loved one, sometimes drawing on the expertise of occupational therapists or physiotherapists. This sets out exactly how to help them move safely: the right techniques, the right equipment, and the approach best suited to their particular needs. It means the support is designed around your loved one specifically, not a one-size-fits-all method.
Checking safety every single time
Even with a good plan in place, everyone has better days and harder days. That is why, before each and every move, our carers carry out a quick safety check. In just a few moments, they consider the task at hand, how your loved one is feeling and coping that day, the equipment involved, and the space and surroundings. If anything has changed, they pause and reassess before going ahead. This constant, quiet attentiveness is what keeps every single move safe.
Independence and dignity, always
Here is the part we care about most. Good moving and handling is never about simply doing everything for someone. It is about helping your loved one do as much as they safely can for themselves, using equipment to support their independence, and always treating them with respect and protecting their privacy.
Our carers ask for consent before assisting, take the gentlest and least restrictive approach possible, and are guided by best-practice principles where someone may find it harder to make decisions for themselves. The goal is for your loved one to keep not just their safety, but their confidence, their independence and their dignity.
The right equipment, used safely
Where equipment such as a hoist or a transfer aid is needed, our carers use only what is set out in the care plan, and they check it carefully before every use. They will never use equipment that is damaged, faulty or unsuitable. And if any equipment in the home, including a family's own, is not safe to use, they will hold off and let us know straight away, so it can be put right. Your loved one is never put at risk with the wrong equipment.
Never pushing through an unsafe situation
Perhaps the most reassuring principle of all is this: if a move ever cannot be done safely, our carers stop. If equipment is missing or broken, the surroundings are unsafe, your loved one's condition has changed, or the carer has any doubt at all, they will pause, make your loved one safe and comfortable, and call our team for guidance rather than pressing on. Never pushing through an unsafe situation is exactly the caution you would want for someone you love.
A strong culture of safety
Our carers also report any accident, incident or even near miss, even when no harm has come to anyone. Far from being a formality, this helps us learn, refine the care plan, and prevent problems before they happen. It is a key part of how we keep our standards high and your loved one safe. You can read more about how we build safety into care from the very start in our guide to the care assessment.
Safe, dignified, and as independent as possible
Helping someone move through their day safely, comfortably and with their dignity intact is one of the quiet arts of great care. Our carers do it thoughtfully and skilfully, so your loved one can stay as mobile and independent as possible, in the comfort of their own home.
If you would like to talk through how we could support your loved one's mobility and care, we would be glad to help.
Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900. We are always happy to help.