Homecare Workers: What’s Makes their Jobs Risky & What to do About it

No surprise–caregivers get injured. Why? How? During this webinar the speakers will describe common caregiver injuries, update you on the latest trends, and provide practical solutions to address them. They will also cover when you should consider using client handling equipment and potential barriers for getting and using equipment in homes. They’ll offer some resources that may help.

You can’t get around it. Current staffing challenges loom large in homecare. It’s not enough to just hire enough staff, but to be able to retain them. The speakers will touch on this and other things on the horizon for the homecare industry– so that you can prepare. Finding ways to prevent injuries can play a role in addressing this complex problem.

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Learning Objectives:

• Describe why manual transfers are risky
• Describe how a lift test can be used to alert an assessor of a client’s transfer ability and needs
• Name 3 equipment examples that can make transfers or boosting in bed easier and safer to do
• List 3 barriers to using equipment in the home

About our Presenters:

Ninica Howard, MSc, CPE

Senior Researcher

SHARP Program, WA Department of Labor & Industries

Ms. Howard is an ergonomist and researcher who has been conducting occupational injury research for the SHARP Program since 1997.  The SHARP Program is an occupational health and safety research group. For 15 years, she has focused her research on injuries and disorders of healthcare workers, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders.  Her research has involved the study of the impact of implementing SPHM programs in nursing homes and conducting formative research in hospitals that laid the groundwork for the Washington State Hospital Safe Patient Handling Law.  She was a contributor to the first edition of the Interprofessional Standards for Safe Patient Handling and Mobility, released by the American Nurses Association. For the past 10 years, Ms. Howard’s research focus has been on in-home care services and the risks that may contribute injuries of aides.  She is a member of the Home Care Workforce Injuries Technical Expert Panel for the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at HHS. In addition to her work in the healthcare industry, Ms. Howard has participated in research of musculoskeletal disorders in many other industries, including manufacturing, agriculture and construction.

Diane Lee, M.S.

Ergonomist

Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

As an L&I ergonomist, Diane Lee has provided ergonomics assistance to employers throughout Washington State since 2001. She has worked in a wide range of settings including: healthcare, warehouse, baggage handling, waste management, construction, manufacturing, office work, and more. Diane teaches her customers about risk factors for overuse injuries. She analyzes the risks and offers them recommendations and ideas to reduce high levels of risk factors. She often gives employer-specific presentations and trainings stemming from onsite visits to their workplaces. Diane has expertise in the healthcare industry from her previous career in occupational therapy. She developed tip sheets, videos, and other educational materials related to safe patient handling that are offered on the L&I website. Diane’s goal is to influence employers and individuals to make improvements to the work–so people can accomplish their work without a lot of wear and tear to their bodies. She wants the work to be easier and safer to do.