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Where do you need to use this lift? |
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If in a home: What rooms within the home?
In a bathroom? In a bedroom? In a family room?
Between multiple rooms? What type of flooring do you have?
Carpet? Is there space available to operate a rolling patient
lift and space to store it when not in use? Evaluate all potential tight areas. Does the bed
have clearance under it for the legs of a rolling lift if necessary?
What do you know about your ceiling construction? |
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If in a facility: In a ward? Between
multiple rooms? What is the current injury rate for caregivers?
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Describe the patient. |
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What is the patient's weight and height? What
is their condition -- things that might relate to lifting them?
Do they need head support? Do they need access to a commode?
Do they have sensitive skin? Any restrictions to bending?
Do you ever need to lower patient to or lift patient from the floor
for therapy or after a fall? Is the patient always assisted? |
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Who are the caregivers? |
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How strong
are they? (Do we have a 120 pound caregiver caring for a 200
pound patient?) They will need to become familiar with the operation of
the new lift. |
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What types of lift movements
does patient need to be able to accomplish? |
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Bed to Chair
or Toilet or Tub or Floor and back?
Chair to Bed or Toilet or Tub or Floor and back?
To/from floor for therapy or in case patient has fallen?
Sit to Stand?
Repositioning the patient in their chair or bed? |
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Any special
needs/restrictions/ applications? |
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Gait
Training? Rolling or otherwise re-positioning the patient
in bed? Patient unable to sit? Want to use to
visit family members or travel using hotels? |
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| Key Questions |
| Before you read this section, look at the key
questions section above to better understand your needs and issues!
Only you can answer these questions! |
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| Caregiver Injury |
| Preventing caregiver injury is a driving force in
the purchase/use of patient lifts. Even highly skilled facility
caregivers can injure themselves by overexertion and strain.
While the use of manual (hydraulic) lifts is a step in the direction
of caregiver safety, they still require caregiver exertion.
Power-assisted patient lifts are the answer to preventing caregiver
injury. |
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| Know the types of lifts available |
| There are many types of lifts available.
The primary classes of lifts are:
 | Ceiling -
Ceiling lifts run on "tracks" installed in the ceiling of your
home/facility. They are the most versatile, convenient and
least obtrusive types of lifts. Within the ceiling lift class
of lift, there are installed lifts and portable lifts. |
| Floor (Rolling)
- Floor model lifts roll on casters and are designed to
perform different functions. |
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| Take a look at our
Ceiling vs. Floor Model Lift page
and our individual ceiling and floor
model lift pages to better understand the choices. |
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| Slings |
| Whether you choose a ceiling or floor lift, the
patient will be lifted in a sling attached to the lift. There
are many different slings available. Just to give you an idea,
we have an entire page devoted to slings.
We'll also help you determine the proper sling. |
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| Track |
| Ceiling lifts travel from point to point or room to
room on a track installed in your ceiling. The track can be as
short as a 6 foot piece of track over the bed and wheelchair area or
as involved as track all over a home or facility. This track can
be straight or curved and can have a variety of accessories to help
your patient get where they need to within your home or facility.
See our track configuration
ideas page for more information. |
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