Elder Care: Managing Safe Movement, Transportation, and Handover Protocols

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

Explain the principles of safe movement and mobility support for elderly persons.

Demonstrate appropriate techniques for ambulation assistance, wheelchair transfers and repositioning.

Apply fall prevention principles in home and community environments.

Use mobility aids such as walking sticks, walkers, transfer belts and wheelchairs safely.

Apply safe practices when transporting elderly persons by wheelchair, car, ambulance or community vehicle.

Secure mobility aids and personal belongings during transportation.

Communicate and document important care information during caregiver handovers.

Recognise changes in condition that may require escalation.

Adapt movement and transfer support for elderly persons with stroke-related weakness, frailty, pain or cognitive impairment.

Apply safe handling and positioning techniques for persons affected by stroke.

1. Fundamentals of Safe Movement in Elder Care

Body mechanics for caregivers

Posture, balance and centre of gravity

Caregiver injury prevention

Risk assessment before movement

Identifying pain, dizziness, weakness and confusion

Assessing environmental hazards

Safe use of mobility aids

Fall prevention in home and community settings

2. Ambulation and Wheelchair Care

Assessing mobility levels

Supporting independent, assisted and fully dependent elderly persons

Sit-to-stand transfers

Bed-to-chair transfers

Chair-to-toilet transfers

Walking with one-sided support

Stair negotiation where appropriate

Wheelchair and commode safety

Wheelchair brakes and footrest positioning

Safe seating alignment

Handling slopes and uneven surfaces

Moving through doors, lifts and vehicles

Monitoring fatigue, pain, breathlessness and distress

3. Transportation Protocols

Preparing the elderly person before transportation

Safe transportation by wheelchair, car, ambulance or community vehicle

Securing mobility aids and personal belongings

Infection prevention and maintaining dignity

Escort responsibilities during appointments

Safe return-home procedures

4. Handover Protocols and Caregiver Report Writing

Essential information to include during handover

Recording the care recipient's condition and mobility status

Reporting recent falls or near-falls

Documenting pain or discomfort

Medication timing where relevant

Reporting behavioural changes

Feeding, toileting and skin concerns

Verbal and written handover standards

Escalating urgent changes

Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism

5. Stroke Caregiving

Understanding how stroke affects movement, strength, balance and coordination

Safe handling of persons with hemiplegia or hemiparesis

Positioning techniques

Transfer precautions for weak or affected limbs

Communication with stroke survivors experiencing aphasia or cognitive changes

Recognising warning signs requiring urgent medical attention

Transfer demonstrations and return-demonstrations

Wheelchair manoeuvring drills

Stroke transfer simulations

Case-based handover activities

Home hazard identification

Teaching Approach

The course uses a combination of:

30% Theory – Concepts, principles, risks and protocols

40% Demonstration & Skills Practice – Transfers, wheelchair handling, communication and handover

30% Case Application – Stroke cases, care scenarios and community-based situations

The course is designed around a 8-hour training duration.

Certification

Participants who are assessed as Competent will receive a Certificate of Attendance issued by Aestheticar Pte Ltd.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Lower secondary or equivalent education in relation to literacy and numeracy levels

At least 1 year working experience in any sector

Who is this course suitable for?

The course is suitable for caregivers and care support personnel who assist elderly persons with movement, transfers, transportation and daily care. It can also be relevant to individuals supporting older persons in home and community settings.

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn safe movement and transfer techniques, wheelchair handling, fall prevention, transportation procedures and professional handover practices. The course also covers care considerations for elderly persons with stroke-related mobility difficulties.

Will stroke caregiving be covered?

Yes. The course includes stroke caregiving topics such as hemiplegia and hemiparesis, positioning, transfer precautions, communication and safe handling.

Does the course include practical training?

Yes. The course includes demonstrations and skills practice covering transfers, wheelchair handling, communication and handover. Practical activities include transfer simulations, wheelchair manoeuvring and home hazard identification.

Will I learn how to transfer an elderly person safely?

Yes. Learners will practise different transfer situations, including sit-to-stand, bed-to-chair and chair-to-toilet transfers, as well as appropriate support for walking and wheelchair users.

Does the course cover wheelchair safety?

Yes. Wheelchair safety includes brake locking, footrest positioning, seating alignment, handling slopes and uneven surfaces, and moving safely through doors, lifts and vehicles.

Does the course cover transportation of elderly persons?

Yes. Learners will learn how to prepare an elderly person for transportation and apply safe practices when using wheelchairs, cars, ambulances and community vehicles.

What is covered under handover protocols?

The course covers the key information that should be communicated during handover, including mobility status, recent falls or near-falls, pain or discomfort, medication timing where relevant, behavioural changes, feeding, toileting and skin concerns.