Thousands of family caregivers get injured every year while lifting and transferring seniors with limited mobility. Those injuries include back sprains and strains, pulled muscles and broken bones. If you’re currently providing a loved one with daily living assistance, using a patient lift could make it an easier and safer experience for you both. However, patient lifts do come with some safety restrictions that you need to be aware of. Understanding what those limitations are will help you decide if a patient lift is the right choice for you.

Patient Lift Restrictions

According to guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are several questions that you’ll need to answer before using a patient lift, including these:

The Care Recipient’s Physical Capabilities

  • Are they able to assist you while being transferred?
  • Based on the person’s weight, physical condition and the manufacturer’s guidelines, is the lift appropriate for them?
  • Can just one caregiver safely transfer the individual using the lift?

Any Medical Conditions They Might Have

  • Do you have the proper lift and sling for the recipient’s medical condition?
  • Will using the lift make their condition(s) worse?

Their Mental State

  • Is the senior mentally alert enough to understand what’s going on, and to clearly follow your instructions?
  • Will the use of a lift make them feel agitated, resistant or combative?

Regarding cognitive abilities, using a lift on a senior with dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is usually not advisable because they can easily get confused or frightened by physical contact. Once you’ve satisfactorily answered these questions for your senior, it’s time to move forward.

Lift Applications in the Home

While assisting a senior with limited mobility in the home, there may be several opportunities to use a patient lift, such as:

  • Lifting them off the floor or couch
  • Bed to wheelchair transfers
  • Raising one or more of their limbs
  • Toileting or bathing
  • Repositioning them in bed
  • Lateral transfers from one surface to another

As you can see, purchasing a reliable patient lift may provide a high return-on-investment when it comes to keeping you and your loved one safe. Now it’s time to find the right lift for the job.

Patient Lift Types

Decades ago, patient lift choices were limited, and most were used in hospitals or nursing homes. Today’s lifts come in many varieties, materials and prices depending upon your applications. Here are the types of lifts that are available for in-home use:

Manual Lifts

As the name implies, these use a lifting mechanism partnered with a sling that’s manually operated by the caregiver(s). Most manual lifts are designed to hold 250 to 400 pounds safely, so check the manufacturer’s recommendations first.

Electric Lifts

These lifts are powered by electricity that’s supplied by a battery or plug-in wall outlet. Electric lifts put the least amount of strain on both the senior and caregiver.

Bariatric Lifts

The term bariatric refers to individuals that are heavier than average, and bariatric, or “heavy-duty”, lifts come in electric or manual versions designed to safely move persons who weigh up to 700 pounds.

Specialty Lifts

The final type of lift is for specialty applications, like getting someone in and out of a shower, tub or pool, because they’re made with waterproof materials that won’t get damaged when exposed to moisture.

As you would expect, manual lifts cost less than electrical and specialty models. The good news is that your senior’s Medicare Part B insurance may cover at least some of the costs under their durable medical equipment (DME) benefits, so check with their provider for details.

In-Home Caregivers That Do the “Heavy Lifting” for You!

Providing in-home care for a senior with limited mobility is rewarding, but it can also be dangerous. When you need a hand, call the experts at Seniors Prefer Homecare. Our caregivers are well trained in the safest lifting and transferring techniques, including the use of patient lifts. While in the home, our carefully screened aides will serve as an extended family so your loved one gets the daily living assistance they need to stay independent and comfortable.

Our fully licensed and insured home care services include light housekeeping, meals, personal hygiene, medication reminders, transportation and companionship. And, all our services can be flexibly tailored in an affordable package that’ll restore your peace-of-mind. To learn more about using a patient lift, or to schedule a FREE in-home consultation today with Seniors Prefer Homecare in the Huntsville, or Tuscaloosa, AL, areas, please visit: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com now!