Hoists

[Jane northwales]

Hi everyone, my husband is very unstable on his legs now and has no upper body use. We are now in need of a hoist to help with getting in and out of bed. The Occupatipnal Therapist is due to visit again this week to discuss this further, any advise on how easy hoists are to operate and how confident to you feel when being moved by a hoist? Jane

[JamesW]

Being hoisted is fine (but I’m only on the receiving end )
James

[Ellie]

Hi Jane.

I use a standing hoist for getting out of bed - I can weightbear, with adequate core strength but have no arm function - and it's straightforward for someone to put a sling on me and to operate the battery operated hoist (the control has an Up button and a Down button, and there's an emergency stop button on the hoist itself, that's it)

There are also full-sling hoists for those who cannot weightbear and they can be either mobile or on ceiling tracks. The slings for these type of hoists can be more tricky/awkward to put on, but with practice, it becomes second nature. The hoist itself is easy to use with just a few buttons.

Yes, I feel 100% safe being hoisted because I know my sling is put on me correctly - feeling secure and comfortable in the sling is key and don't assume the first sling your husband is given is necessarily the correct one! first sling I'd suggest you try whatever hoist and sling provided to get a feel for it !!

Can you remember if the OT mentioned a specific type of hoist? Does your husband have a profiling/adjustable bed?

Take care.

Love Ellie.

[Jane northwales]

Hi Ellie
The OT has said she has arranged for a gantry hoist to be fitted but my husband is struggling to come to terms with the need for a hoist.
It is another huge intrusion on his day to day living and evidences further deterioration.
Thank you for your kind insight
Xxx

[Ellie]

I totally get his reluctance for the hoist Jane. It was the worst bit of equipment for me to accept too. To me, there's something about a hoist that screams DISABLED!!, even more than my wheelchair does

Hopefully once he sees how it improves the whole palaver of getting in & out of bed, he'll come around to it.

Love Ellie.

[matthew55]

I think that becoming disabled has opened more doors than doors closed x

[Susie]

Hi everyone. It's been a full on week, some good, some not so good. Haven't had a second to stop and think.

One big problem I have so I'm hoping for some advice or recommendations. We're having adaptations to the house, the wet room is finished, thank goodness, but they've robbed space from the downstairs bedroom. We now need to extend what's left to make it large enough to put beds in. The work starts after Christmas.
I'm currently using a stand assist for all transfers and it's still working just about. I can't stand normally and now my core and arms are becoming much weaker.
I've been told that if the stand assist stops working for me before the building work is completed, I'll be hospitalised.
My OT was sorting out a gantry hoist that was coming over to me from the mainland so she did a survey of the lounge as that's where we're having to sleep at the moment.
I've now been told that the gantry hoist promised is not suitable as it'll be a trip hazard (not for me cos I can't walk 🤣). So I'm madly searching, with the help of my lovely OT for another gantry hoist. Anyone using one they are happy with?
Goodnight all, sleep well xxx

ps. How do you start a new post, or can't I?

[LindaB]

Susie Sounds like a bit of a nightmare & I'm sorry I don't have advice about gantry hoists.

Starting a new post I go to the forums tab at the top of the page. Scroll through the forum topics click on the the most appropriate.

In this instance:

https://forum.mndassociation.org/for...ility-movement

There's a blue shaded box + NewTopic...Click and complete

That might be long winded...😅😘

[Susie]

LindaB Thanks xx

[Ellie]

Susie Any idea why you can't get a portable hoist Sue if you can no longer use a standing hoist? Some even fold, so can be stored under a bed for example, and the standard one can stay over your bed to save space and keep its legs from being a so-called 'trip hazard' - your husband must be proud of himself for not managing to trip over rugs, wires, bed legs, steps, shoes these past few years 🤭

This is the type of hoist I mean, it uses a full sling to lift the user, so no leg strength or core control is needed:

patient-advance-1000x1000.jpg

Love Ellie.

[Suefromwakey]

We had a ceiling hoist fitted about 2 months ago but didnt get to use it until yesterday as Albert was waiting for his "Care Chair" - I'd have to say I burst into tears when they showed me how to use it, to see him there dangling and being totally controlled by others is not nice,

I am trying to drum the sight out of my head - Ive now done 2 by myself and this is how it will be from now on - hes had to get to grip with the fact that its needed,

It doesn't save any time in fact its a long winded job, doing the toileting then the showering and then the dressing, Ive not stopped being emotional about it FGS

Sue

[Ellie]

Ive not stopped being emotional about it FGS

It's the bit of kit I loathe most Sue, ridiculous as it's by far the most useful thing I have 🙄 It improves my quality of life immensely, yet I hate the sight of it, so you're not alone... 😘😘

[Lynne K]

Ah, Sue I hope that usIng the hoist becomes easier both practically and emotionally. I’m sending you hugs 🤗 and love ❤️ xx

[Deb]

Oh Sue, I hope this gets easier for you. I know exactly how you feel about a hoist. ( I've posted about the spectre of it lurking in our spare bedroom !😱😈)

I dont know why it feels so pitiful... more so than a wheelchair. We have a mobile one for when we need it. When my OT came to show us how to use it she said she could tell by my face how I felt. I can't remember who said it but I was advised not to have any mirrors close at hand !

I'm no building expert but I was told that our ground floor apartment would be suitable for ceiling tracks because there is concrete between the floors. ( I think this is right !) and they are less intrusive than mobile hoists .I suppose we will get used to it and see it as an aid to keep us moving around. I know if it was the other way round we would have needed a hoist sooner as i wouldn't have had the strength to do what Stuart does. I possibly wouldn't have his patience either !

Hugs to you both. I hope you had luck getting an appointment at Seacroft.
Love Debbie x

[Lynne K]

I could do with being hoisted now but the Council are dreadfully slow. But luckily I can just about transfer from my RR chair to powered wheelchair using my walker and from bed to wheelchair. But it’s getting harder. I’ve been waiting over two months already for the approved adaptions to be done. My OT added a request for ceiling hoists a few days ago but it doesn’t bode well when I’ll have them xx