Injuries sustained by caregivers of disabled elderly people

Objective: to investigate the occurrence of physical injury experienced by informal caregivers whilst moving and lifting their disabled elderly dependants at home. Design: a descriptive study using in-depth interviews. Setting: departments of elderly medicine at two teaching hospitals and one district general hospital. Subjects: 46 informal caregivers of elderly patients admitted under a regular hospital respite care scheme, 41 of whom were interviewed. Results: most caregivers were elderly (median age 70 years), 21 having a medical condition which restricted their physical activity. Thirty one caregivers had injured themselves whilst lifting and handling their dependants. Most sustained back injuries. Eight caregivers were temporarily unable to continue caring as a result of the injuries they sustained. Sixteen patients had been injured whilst being moved by their caregivers. Only 19 caregivers had received instruction in manual handling. Conclusion: informal caregivers are often poorly trained and equipped and at risk of injury. To enable them to continue providing optimal care at home, their physical health should be assessed and they should be trained in safe lifting and handling techniques.