home

Mobile Hoists For Disabled People

Hoists are an important part of the range of living aids and patient lifters available to people with disabilities. Mobile hoists make it easy for the disabled to lift themselves out of the bed and therefore move around more, and also maintain better personal hygiene since it is easier to raise and lower them into the bath with the help of these hoists.

What are mobile hoists?

Some people may find it impossible to get in and out of the bed or bath themselves, and it can also be difficult for a family member, friend or professional caregiver to lift the individual without the help of some kind of support. Mobile hoists are designed living aids designed to make life easier and more comfortable for the person with disability as well as for the caregiver. These hoists are typically small, portable equipment that can be used indoors as well as outdoors on some surfaces. They can be used to lift a person from the bed to a chair, into a car, from the bed to a commode etc. Mobile hoists are easy to transport, since they can be dismantled and assembled quickly. Some hoists can be wheeled by a single person.

What are the different types of mobile hoists?

There are different types of mobile hoists available today, depending on how they operate as well as their purpose and portability. Standard mobile hoists have a mobile base along with a sling lifting mechanism. They need assistance to be operated – the person cannot use it independently, and may come in large or small sizes. Toileting or standing hoists that may be electrically or hydraulically (manually) operated have a mobile base and a sling arrangement that is specifically designed for making toileting easier. Mobile seat hoists are also available to help with specific types of transfers, such as for bathing.The seat usually offers less support than a sling does, and the user has to have some amount of sitting balance to be able to use mobile seats. Most good quality mobile hoists are designed to be ergonomic.

Buying a mobile hoist

Before buying a mobile hoist, it is important to consult an occupational therapist or private physiotherapist to decide if mobile hoists are the best option for the individual concerned. Therapists will assess the home and workplace, offer advice on any modifications needed there, assess for strength, movement and balance training equipment, exercise devices and walking aids along with recommendations for mobile hoists to use. These pieces of equipment can be purchased privately but they may also be available through hospitals or health insurance schemes. Some people may complain that a hoist takes too long, but with a little use and practice, it usually becomes easier and faster to operate. At the same time, sometimes the hoist used may be unsuitable for the purpose. This is why it is important to consult a professional before purchasing a hoist.

patient lift

When choosing a mobile hoist or bath lift, it is very important to consider factors like the tasks or activities to be performed with it, as well as the frequency of its use. The home environment, furniture, floor surfaces and space available should be considered, as well as the type of disability, the size and capacity of the hoist and sling, the physical strength and adaptability of the carer and so on.