A Gentle Way to Guide Your Loved One From One Place to Another

There are times when a loved one needs a little help getting from one place to another, but pulling, pushing, or grabbing them can feel uncomfortable and may even increase resistance.

One caregiving technique that can help is called hand-under-hand guidance. This technique is excellently demonstrated by Teepa Snow in this TikTok video.

As the name suggests, the caregiver gently places their hand underneath the other person's hand. Rather than taking control, this approach encourages cooperation and allows the person to feel more involved in the movement.

Once you have established hand-under-hand contact, you can use your free hand to provide additional guidance. For example, you might point toward a chair, doorway, or another destination.

You can also gently place your free hand on the person's shoulder, upper back, or waist to help guide them in the desired direction.

You're not forcing movement, you're providing gentle cues that help the person understand where you would like them to go.

This technique can be particularly helpful when assisting older adults living with dementia, cognitive impairment, vision loss, or mobility challenges. It can also help reduce confusion and anxiety because the person receives both physical and visual guidance.

A few tips to keep in mind:

• Approach slowly and calmly

• Use a gentle touch and avoid pulling or tugging

• Move at the person's pace whenever possible

• Use calm, reassuring verbal directions alongside the technique

This is one simple technique that promotes dignity, cooperation, and safety while helping a loved one navigate their environment.

---

As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.  

Our dedicated care professional can help you think through your options and explain what types of support may be appropriate based on your specific needs.

All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.  

Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.  

Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.  

We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.  For more information, contact us at  888-336-8322   or send an email to info@elderloveusa.org

Click Me