Supporting the people who support others
Caregiving is important work, and it takes real skill and heart. Whether you’re caring for a partner, a parent, a child, or someone you support professionally, you don’t have to figure everything out alone — we’re here to help.
Everyday caregiving
Practical guidance for the moments that make up a caregiving day.
Helping With Movement
Supporting someone to move, stand, and get around — safely and with dignity.
Transfers & Independence
Practical techniques for moving someone between bed, chair, and beyond — protecting you both.
Home Safety
Simple changes around the home that make everyday movement safer and easier.
Fall Prevention
Spotting risks and building habits that help reduce the chance of a fall.
Family Communication
Connecting well — listening, encouraging, and supporting independence in everyday moments.
Daily Routines
Dressing, eating, and moving through the day in ways that preserve comfort and dignity.
Caring for different people
Support looks different depending on who you’re caring for. Start with what fits your situation.
Stroke Recovery
Supporting someone as they rebuild movement and confidence after a stroke.
Parkinson’s Disease
Helping someone stay active, steady, and confident while living with Parkinson’s.
Older Adults & Balance
Supporting strength, balance, and independence in later life.
Physical Mobility Needs
Practical, respectful support for someone with physical movement differences.
Children With Additional Needs
Supporting a child’s movement and participation, in partnership with their family.
Long-Term Physical Activity
Steady, sustainable support for someone living with an ongoing condition.
Safe support matters
Good caregiving looks after two people at once — the person you’re supporting, and you. Both matter.
Protecting the person
Good technique keeps the person you care for safe, comfortable, and as independent as possible.
Protecting yourself
Your wellbeing matters too. Looking after your own body and energy isn’t optional — it’s part of caregiving.
Asking for help
Reaching out — to professionals, family, or services — is a sign of good caregiving, never a failing.
Assisted movement and transfers
A transfer is any movement where you help someone change position — from sitting to standing, from a bed to a chair, in and out of a car. Getting these moments right protects the person you’re caring for and protects you.
Technique depends on the individual
There is no single correct way to assist a transfer. The right approach depends entirely on the person’s level of weight-bearing, balance, strength, cognition, the equipment available, and the specific environment. What works safely for one person may be unsuitable for another — even if their situations appear similar. Specific techniques should be taught by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who has assessed the person.
Principles that apply broadly
While individual technique varies, a few principles tend to hold across most assisted movements:
- Prepare before starting — clear the path, position any equipment, and know where the person is heading before you begin.
- Communicate — tell the person what is going to happen, use consistent language, and give them a moment to prepare. Their understanding and cooperation makes the transfer safer for both of you.
- Use their movement — wherever possible, encourage the person to do as much of the movement as they can. Being moved completely by someone else is harder to manage safely, and reduces the practice that supports longer-term independence.
- Protect your own body — keep your back in a neutral position, use your legs rather than your back when lifting, maintain a stable base, and avoid twisting while bearing load. A caregiver who is injured cannot provide care.
- Avoid rushing — a slower, well-prepared transfer is safer than a fast one. If the person needs a moment to find their feet, allow that moment.
When to ask for professional guidance
Some transfer situations require professional input rather than improvisation. Seek guidance from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist when:
- The person cannot bear any weight, or their weight-bearing status has changed.
- A near-fall or fall has occurred during a transfer.
- You are not sure whether the technique you are using is safe.
- The person's abilities have changed and you are not sure how to adjust.
- You are finding transfers physically painful or increasingly difficult.
A hands-on session with a physiotherapist or OT — where technique is practised with the specific person, in the specific environment — is the most reliable way to get transfers right.
Questions caregivers often ask
Honest, practical answers — and a reminder that you know the person you care for best.
How much help should I provide?
Often the best support is the least that’s needed — doing with, not for, so the person keeps building their own ability. The right balance shifts over time, and their care team can help you find it.
How can I prevent falls?
Small things make a big difference: clear walkways, good lighting, sensible footwear, and steady routines. Our fall-prevention guidance walks you through practical steps.
What if I’m worried about something?
Trust your instincts. If something feels off — a change in movement, mood, or health — it’s always reasonable to check with a health professional. You know the person well.
What if I feel overwhelmed?
Caregiving can be a lot, and feeling stretched doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Leaning on others and taking real breaks helps you keep going — and helps the person you care for, too.
Meet Coco
When you need the right guidance quickly, Coco can help. Coco is a friendly guide — not a doctor, therapist, or chatbot — who asks a gentle question or two and points you to the support that fits your situation.
- Coco asks: “Who are you caring for?”
- Coco asks: “What would you like help with today?”
- Coco asks: “What would you like to feel more confident about?”
Recommended starting points
Three gentle steps — go at the pace that works for you.
Learn. Recover. Rebuild. Thrive.
Caregiving can be deeply meaningful and genuinely challenging, sometimes in the same moment. Whatever today looks like, you’re doing something that matters — and you don’t have to do it alone. Let us keep you moving.