Patients Lifts for Home Use
Repetitive lifting and transfers can be challenging. To lift individuals in a healthcare setting or at home with safety and security in mind, you need a way to perform the task in a manner that provides balance, leverage and control.
Using proper lifts means you are less likely to be injured and the person for whom you are caring is moved or transferred carefully from one location to another.
Investing in the safety for your patient or loved one and caregiver is an excellent way to keep both from suffering injuries from straining and lifting.
When Will You Need a Patient Lift?
If the loved one is too heavy for you and your family to lift safely, you should use a patient lift in the home setting. This allows them to be lifted with greater safety and minimal effort. Using a lift prevents injury to your back and will allow you to move your loved one more securely. It is also safer to use a patient lift so that the individual will have more confidence in changing locations in the home.
What Types of Patient Lifts Should You Consider?
Your selection of the equipment to use will depend primarily on the needs of your loved one. Manual lifts are completely operated at the discretion of the caregiver. If price is a factor in which type of lift you buy, a manual lift will be an economical one to consider. When you want to move your patient into another room, when power access is limited, or money is a factor, a manual lift is the right choice for you.
Another choice is the power lift. These types of lifts use rechargeable batteries or a power source in the room. By using the hand control, you exert no physical effort and can engage the patient in helping to facilitate his own movement with the controls. Make sure that the model which you select has a manual feature to use in case of a power outage.
It’s also important to accessorize the lift that you buy. Finding the right sling that works smoothly with the lift that you get is important for both safety and security of your loved one being moved. Another important fact to consider is getting replacement parts that are designed for use with the lift; from hydraulics to batteries, you must purchase only quality parts that will work with the lift used in your home.
An alternative to the above listed choices including the gait belt is the EZ Lift Vest, a manual transfer lift device that was designed by Registered Nurses for a safer lifting and transfer experience. This Vest is lightweight yet durable and minimizes the risks of injuries for you, as the caregiver, the patient or your loved one while promoting excellent body mechanics which prevents injuries to you and the patient.
With proper training and techniques the EZ lift vest is an excellent tool to have for your home healthcare needs.
Investing in the safety for your loved one and caregiver is an excellent way to keep both from suffering injuries from straining and lifting. Patient lifts can make the transfer of patients from room to room or from bed to chair an easy and smooth transition. Once you have assessed the needs and budget of your patient you can invest in tools that make your job easier and safer.
