Why Caregivers Struggle With Medical Equipment — And What Families Can Do About It

Customer purchase long-term care/life style bed instructions given to the family/caregiver at the time of setup however we see many challenges in using the equipment. Aftercare service can be critical when purchasing medical equipment. This topic highlights a much bigger issue:

✨ Caregivers are often expected to do complex medical tasks

—but they usually receive little formal training in how to operate equipment safely and effectively. This lack of training isn’t just inconvenient — it can lead to:

patient injury
caregiver injury
equipment misuse or damage
care delays
stress and burnout

Let’s explore why this happens, what the research says, and how families and care teams can close this gap.

🚨 1. Caregivers Are Asked to Do Things They Were Never Trained For

In home settings, family and professional caregivers alike are frequently asked to operate complex medical devices like:

hospital or long-term care beds
mechanical lifts
wheelchairs and transfer devices
pressure-reducing mattresses
gait belts and mobility aids

Yet caregivers are often trained informally, with little supervision and no formal instruction.

A national caregiver resource survey found that:

only 19% of caregivers report having been trained for medical tasks,
many learn from friends or family rather than professionals,
84% of caregivers need more help and information about caregiving tasks and equipment use. https://www.caregiver.org/
2. Improper Use Isn’t Just Confusion — It’s a Safety Risk

Studies show that caregivers managing medical and nursing tasks, including equipment, often lack adequate training and support. This can lead to:

incorrect operation of mechanical devices
improper lifting and handling of patients
misinterpretation of safety features
increased risk of musculoskeletal injury for caregivers
increased risk of falls and injuries for patients Institute for Healthcare Improvement

For example, when caregivers use devices like lifts or beds without proper instruction, both the caregiver and care recipient face avoidable harm.

Another research review highlighted that misuse of medical equipment and insufficient monitoring are common safety concerns among informal caregivers, underscoring the need for better education and support systems. Nature

💪 3. Caregiving Work Is Physically and Mentally Demanding

Beyond equipment mistakes, caregivers face:

physical strain and musculoskeletal risk (from lifting or repositioning)
fatigue and emotional stress
lack of clear guidelines on safe operation
little feedback or follow-up training

Studies show that caregivers often perform nursing-level responsibilities (including using medical equipment) without formal instruction, which contributes to stress and burnout. PM&R KnowledgeNow

This isn’t their fault — it’s a gap in our healthcare system.

🧩 4. Lack of Training Is a System Problem

Clinicians, home health systems, and discharge processes vary widely in how (and if) they train caregivers. A 2022 study on caregiver training found barriers at multiple levels, meaning that even when training should be provided, it often isn’t consistently delivered. AGs Journals

📌 5. Families and Care Teams Can Make This Better

Here’s what REALLY helps:

✔ Proper Demonstrations at Delivery

Sending equipment with real instruction — not just a box and a manual.

✔ Follow-Up Training and Videos

Reinforcement helps caregivers feel confident and reduces errors.

✔ Skills Assessments

Simple check-ins on proper use can prevent risky behaviors.

✔ Clear Documentation

Caregivers do better when they have simple, step-by-step guides.

✔ Professional Support

Telehealth consults, in-home visits, and training reduce frustration.

🎯 Case in Point

Our customer’s concern about the long-term care bed wasn’t because the equipment didn’t work — it was because the caregivers didn’t know how to operate the leg elevation. Once they were shown how to use the controls and mechanisms, their confidence and safety instantly improved.

This is a perfect example of a common problem that’s fixable with the right support.

🧠 Final Thought

Caregivers are heroes — but they shouldn’t be expected to perform complex medical tasks without proper training.

Providing equipment is only part of the solution — giving caregivers the knowledge and confidence to use it safely is what keeps patients comfortable, prevents injury, and supports caregivers’ well-being.

At CFS, we believe in education as a service — not just delivery — and that’s why we offer ongoing guidance on every piece of equipment we provide. Download our APP on your APP Stores for Blog and News and Join Our Membership That Offers Medical Equipment Training Videos.