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Caregiving gets safer as states adopt "no lift"

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, January 3, 2008

New Jersey may become the latest state to pass "no lift" legislation, an act aimed at minimizing the manual lifting of residents. The measure passed in the state Senate and Assembly and awaits the governor's signature.

The bill encourages nursing homes to minimize unassisted resident handling but doesn't require the use of lift-assist technology, such as gait belts, sit-to-stand machines, and full-body sling lifts. It does require that facilities have a program in place to minimize unassisted handling within three years, in order to reduce injuries to both residents and employees.

The U.S. Department of Labor has found that sprains, strains, and tears caused by lifting residents represent a significant portion of workplace injuries among nursing staff. The projected increase in the number of senior citizens will only make the situation worse.

Studies have shown that the expense of acquiring assist equipment is more than made up for by savings in workers' compensation claims and lost time.

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