Work

Personal service assistance: Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries in consumer‐directed home care

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Like other types of care for disabled or elderly adults, consumer-directed personal assistance services may present multi-factorial risks for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). METHODS: Using survey data, we compared providers experiencing WRMSDs in the previous year to those who did not, seeking to identify functional, temporal, physical, and relationship risk factors for transient and chronic conditions. RESULTS: Longer work experience with the recipient and more frequent bending increased the risk of being in the most chronic group (≥12 painful episodes), whereas predictable work hours with rest breaks and greater social support from the recipient appeared protective. For transient conditions (one to two episodes), longer work experience with the recipient and predictable hours with rest breaks appeared protective. CONCLUSIONS: We offer recommendations to improve hazard assessment as well as training and information distribution related to home care programs. With the population aging, home care jobs require increasing oversight to prevent WRMSDs.

Source: American Journal of Industrial Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22133

Authors: Julia Faucett, Taewoon Kang, Robert Newcomer

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Public Health Service, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health