As Bhutan’s population ages, the need for people who can provide safe and effective care is growing. Helping an older person out of bed or into a chair may seem simple, but the wrong technique can put both the caregiver and the person receiving care at risk of injury. To address this, around 20 nurses, caregivers and De-suups recently took part in a manual handling training in Thimphu, where they learned how to assist people safely.
The number of Bhutanese aged 60 and above is projected to more than double, from around 73,000 in 2022 to 174,000 by 2047. Knowing how to lift, transfer and position someone correctly can reduce the risk of injury for both parties.
Participants practised safe ways of lifting, supporting and moving people, and learned how to avoid unnecessary physical strain during demanding tasks. The trainer also demonstrated the use of assistive equipment, stressing that correct techniques and equipment, rather than physical strength alone, are key to preventing injuries.
The Royal Society for Senior Citizens says it needs more people with such skills to support its services for older people.
“We go around and provide services such as health check-ups and other care. We have been running it for some time, but we do not have enough people with such knowledge to run it. If they are well trained, it will help us provide good services to elderly people who are above the age of 60,” said Gyembo Dorji, Project Coordinator at the Royal Society for Senior Citizens.
A manual handling training brings together De-suups, nurses and caregivers to practise safe ways of lifting, supporting and moving people. They are also learning how to avoid unnecessary physical strain when carrying out demanding tasks.
Participants say the training has been valuable. “Everyone knows how to sit and get up because we do it every day. However, there is a risk of injury if we do not know the correct techniques. Through this training, we have learnt how to lift heavy loads safely and how to position ourselves when dealing with an injury. These skills are very important to us,” said Druk Zam, a De-suup participant.
The trainer says using the correct techniques and equipment is important to prevent injuries, rather than relying on physical strength alone.
Rinzee, Operations Manager at AAA Skills Institute, said the aim is to raise awareness of the risks and introduce practical techniques to prevent injuries at work and at home. “Prevention is better than cure, and having the right skills can make a real difference in keeping ourselves and others safe in our daily lives,” he said.
The training was conducted by AAA Skills Institute in collaboration with So-Rig Institute, a Bhutanese-owned registered training organisation based in Perth, Australia.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
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