Vehicle Safety Tips for Caregivers
The transition from an independent driver to needing to rely on others can be difficult for older people in our care. When transporting someone under your stewardship as a caregiver, you must maintain safety as your top priority. With the added demands on your attention that could potentially distract you while driving it’s essential to figure out all safety components ahead of time. Below we’ll explore some strategies to ensure safety while transporting your client or loved one.
Consider Products for Added Safety
There are several products that can be purchased to enhance the safety of your vehicle. Solutions such as swivel seats, wheelchair lifts, and ramps can be useful as your transport your loved one or client. Research your purchase to make sure that the products you consider are properly tested and accredited.
Be Mindful When Lifting
When boarding your vehicle with the individual you are caring for, stay mindful of your physical limitations and focus on proper technique:
- Lift with your legs and not your back
- Bend at your knees and hips when lifting
- Keep feet apart with one slightly in front to enhance balance
- Tighten your abdominal muscles
- Avoid twisting your body or trunk while bearing the weight of your loved one or client
Wear Appropriate Footwear
This one should be well understood by caregivers, but it can be forgotten by at-home caregivers who are offering care to a loved one. When transporting your loved one, wear proper footwear and proper clothing. Go for close-toed shoes with good traction and support when transporting your loved one. This choice of footwear will help to prevent accidents and slips.
As mentioned before, we recommend that all safety protocols are established ahead of transporting the person you are handling. Take the steps ahead you can to ensure safety. If possible, try to travel with a support person to assist with lifting and monitoring while you are behind the wheel.
Vehicle Safety Checklist
The vehicle that transports your loved one should receive top-tier care if you want it to last long. Outside of the car enduring a long drive period, carefully maintaining your aging loved one’s car will keep both you and them away from unfortunate and unsettling experiences.
Here is a list of 10 things to stay on top of as you ensure the vehicle transporting your aging loved one is safe.
- Where the rubber meets the road: Frequently assess and maintain the correct pressure in all tires. This goes a long way in keeping the vehicle safe and keeping fuel usage optimum.
- Don’t be afraid of change: Ensure your aging loved one’s vehicle receives an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. This practice is essential for keeping the engine running smoothly.
- Clear your view: Windshield wipers are often neglected. To ensure proper visibility during not-so-pleasant weather, ensure you change these annually.
- Take charge: Battery terminals tend to become corroded over time. To avoid this, get them cleaned from time to time and check its charge every six months.
- Keep shining: Occasionally, inspect the lights of your aging loved one’s vehicle. Check headlights, brake lights, and turn signals to ensure they are functioning correctly. The lights at the rare of the car are often least inspected by drivers. As a caregiver, go the extra mile to monitor these for your aging loved one.
- Stay level-headed: Monitor the car’s fluid levels monthly. The fluids that should be frequently checked are brake, power steering, and coolant. Transmission fluid should be monitored as well but this can be checked at each engine oil change appointment.
- Brake it down: Monitor and test the vehicle’s brakes periodically to ensure stopping power is maintained.
- Keep it clean: Clean the exterior and interior of the car frequently to maintain vehicle integrity and ensure visibility.
- Protection from the elements: Weather can be notably damaging to vehicles, so make an effort to store your aging loved one’s vehicle in a garage or covered area.
- When in doubt, write it out: Diligently maintain a service log for your aging loved one’s vehicle. Use this to keep track of all previous repairs or servicing and to keep track of future maintenance appointments.
Cars treat us as well as we treat them. As you offer care to your elderly loved one, be sure to provide effective care to the vehicle that transports them.