Does anyone use a Hoyer lift? Is it easy to maneuver in a home? I don't know what other options I have. My husband (who is 94) has moderate dementia and can hardly get off the bed to his walker.
We used a Hoyer lift for my mother. The caregiver(s) used it and if I was there I’d help. I wouldn’t put much faith in using one at home, which we did. It’s not easy to keep the patient from flipping and flopping, and sometimes they don’t understand what’s happening so they get upset or cry or whatever. All this takes a lot of energy on the caregivers’ part. At the point where the Hoyer is needed, it’s time to move to a facility where professionals are trained and know how to handle any eventuality. Just my (experienced) opinion.
I'm happy to help if I can. Years ago when I was caring for my mother, we used a Hoyer and it was a Godsend, even just getting her in and out of bed. The one I use is electric and that's very helpful. My husband had polio and has been struck with post-polio syndrome. He is increasingly unable to walk and has fallen many times, necessitating many calls to our local EMTs (God Bless Them - they are angels and saints, in my opinion, but that's another topic). I was renting a Hoyer and a hospital bed for $300/mo and the owner of the medical supply company asked me if I wanted to buy it. Not knowing how long my husband is going to live, I jumped at the chance. I mostly use it to pick him up off the floor when he decides he wants out of his chair or out of bed without assistance (he has dementia). It is electric and needs to be plugged in when not in use. It will lower to the floor so that I can pick him up with the sling provided. One has to be careful using it; and I was told it's a 2-man job; but I use it on my own (I'm 86) carefully, without any problem. Hope this helps you make a decision. In my opinion it is a Godsend and I don't really know what we would do without it.
I agree with others. Get assistance and advice from a physical therapist first. These machines are bulky and sometimes hard to maneuver so you don’t want to waste money on something that doesn’t help. Hospice sent a hoyer lift out to us but it wasn’t helpful at all. I researched different devices on the internet and found we needed a patient sit-to-stand to transfer my mom from bed to toilet to wheelchair. The hoyer lift didn’t help a bit. Do your research first. Purchase a device that fits the patient’s needs.
I've been using Hoyer lifts for years. The problem is depending on which one you get one where you push a button and it does the lifting, you need to keep it charged and you also have to keep a spare battery when the one you're using stops working and needs charging. There is an emergency release button, but as your husband is 94, I don't recommend it. It releases quickly and you might end up hurting your husband without meaning to. There's also a manual Hoyer that you pump by hand. You haven't mentioned your age, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to manage this on your own. In order to get your husband onto the Hoyer pad you need to roll him side to side to get the pad under him. Then while he's on the pad, you need to hook it up to the Hoyer. It's recommended that two people be present while using a Hoyer. Finally, the space between your husband's legs and the pole of the lift is very tight. He'll have to be able to either spread his legs, so they can fit around the pole, or you'll have to move him sideways so he's more comfortable during the transfer. I suggest talking to his Dr. or a therapist so they can assess the situation and make the best suggestions to keep both you and your husband safe.
We rented a hoyer lift for my mom at her house to get her out of bed because she could no longer walk or stand. We thought maybe we could get her out for some air and sun,
I was never there when the caregivers tried to use it. I do know she did not cooperate with the care givers when they tried to use it.
I guess the point making is you need to find out if it’s something you can do alone or if you will need help to use it. You want to be sure there are no falls and that you don’t hurt yourself.
And lastly don’t be surprised if he does not cooperate. I’m not saying don’t try it but sometimes it’s quite upsetting when you think you found a solution only to have the patient not cooperate.
We're looking at this for my mother--and frankly, altho YB thinks he has the perfect setup for a Hoyer Lift, I have seen them several places and there just is not room for one. It needs to 'swing' a little to enable the CG to transfer the patient. In mom's bedroom, there is no extra space at all.
I'd vote for the 'lift recliner' if all you need is truly help to get your LO to stand up.
And I agree with Kellybel. Learn how to use one before you purchase & install!
I taught myself to use one by reading the manual that came with it. Then, I practiced by moving some sacks of water-softener salt before I moved my wife with it.
Some things to consider: 1. A hospital/SNF/facility will almost always require two persons to do this due to liability concerns. My opinion was that it could be done safely by one, provided: - The person you're moving will not become agitated (let alone try to jump out of it). - Hard, flat floors only. It can be very difficult to push a Hoyer across a carpeted floor, and even the tiniest steps are out of the question. Even a raised, wooden threshold can be a challenge. - Adequate room to move about. Can you move about without danger of ramming the patient's feet or head into something? All Hoyer's have a spreader bar which spreads the support legs outward for stability when loading or unloading. Do you have enough space to fully spread the lift's legs when doing this? - Make sure your Hoyer comes with a sling, and that it's adequate for the purpose. A full body sling is usually safest, but it won't work so well if you need to place the patient on a commode.
So, you have to convince yourself you can use it safely. Having said that, a Hoyer can make a huge difference. You can move someone into and out of a wheelchair with it. You can move a bedridden patient between bed and easy chair with it, which can make a big quality-of-life difference. You can also lift a bedridden patient above the bed with it so you can change the bedding (sheets, underpads, whatever)
all true. I forgot to add, if her husband can sit on the side of the bed and has adequate balance where he can sit upright long enough to get the sling under his arms and hooked up to the stand, he may benefit with a sit to stand. the sling around his waist would help support him, and there is a soft but firm pad he can rest his knees against. This too requires charging, but, in the long run it could be safer. But, you absolutely should seek the advice of a PT or your Dr.
My father used a mechanical Hoyer Lift for my paraplegic mother for 47 years. I observed its use but did not use it myself. Someone here has mentioned a lift with a motor which might be easier for a woman to use. Safely using the lift's sling, moving the lift etc takes some planning and practice, but soon becomes second nature.
I use a stand assist lift by BestCare. My mother is immobile & incontinent. They used this in SNF-rehab to transfer her from bed to wheelchair & to bathroom 🚽. Her CNA trained me how to use it. Then I trained the private pay caregiver when she came home. The only negative is that legs too long to use by staircase to transfer to stairlift. There are videos to show how it works. If you go to http://www.Bestcare.com & search for stand assist lift. The patient gets to a standing position. I also purchased another sling to put under her backside for additional support so she don’t slide down. It’s not a cheap item. If you go through insurance, they might not cover it. I had to pay out of pocket through “Spinlife”. Insurance sent a hoyer which I never used & sent it back since they were charging a copayment. The videos are helpful. Good luck & hugs 🤗
Lift chair. The best thing I have for my husband. He has Alzheimer's and has limited mobility. With the lift chair, I can stand him easily and he sleeps in it.
My mom is 81 years old. She is bedridden due to strokes. She is 5ft 0" and weighs about 155 lbs. I am 58 years old; 5ft 4" and weigh around 145. Medicare furnished a patient lift for me to use. We pay an additional small fee for a battery powered lift. I do not recommend a manual lift. Our house has laminate and ceramic tile floors. The lift has been the best piece of equipment we own. You will need to exert energy to position the sling underneath your loved one (turning from one side to another). But other than that it has not been difficult for me to use. We are glad to have it in our home.
Get a referral to physical therapy to show you different devices and their use. There are a lot of different assistive devices out there. I would suggest renting rather than buying anything.
Martha, I thought I was short. I worked for a Visiting Nurse facility. Part of my job was the loan closet. I had a little old lady with a compact car come all by herself to pick up a wheelchair that had the big wheels. I had to get that into her trunk. I found my problem was that the lip of the trunk was too high for me to lift that wheelchair up and over it. I did it but realized being short I just didn't have that leverage a taller person would have. No problem getting one in SUV, Van or truck. Just picked it up in one swoop. But the lip on the trunk was not easy for me. So I told the staff that anyone requesting a wheelchair had to bring someone with them.
I too am 72 but my husband is 5' 10" and weighs 205lbs.
You can be trained to use a lifting aid. Often used by 2 people in a hospital/rehab/care setting, as safer & easier on everyone. But can be used by a solo person in a home setting. Many have to.. however, some may need to get a daily aide in morning & night to help.
The main factors will be; 1. How much can your husband help? Roll in bed? Sit up? (To place & remove the lifter sling under him). 2. Your own ability & limitations. I won't ask your age but the difference between fairly fit & relatively strong to having poor strength, arthritis, back or other issues must be taken in consideration.
Using machinery is not within everyone's skill range.
Have a Physio or OT come & assess & discuss options with you.
Thank you Beauty, I am 72 yrs old and 4"11 and fairly in good health. I am not sure if I can manage the hoyer lift. he is 5" and weights 135 lbs. The last time pt was here three weeks ago. The insurance only covers four weeks at the time. I didnt see any improvement this time versus last year.
I used one for my Husband. He was 6'4 and well over 200 pounds. Once you get used to it it is easy. I do have an open floorplan ranch house with wide halls, wide doorways and no carpet. What might be easier for you as a "baby step" to using equipment if he has some strength in his legs and can follow easy instructions look at a Sit To Stand. Easy to use. Place a "belt, harness" around the waist and there are loops that you attach to the arms of the sit to stand. He places his feet on a platform and you raise the arms of the machine and he is lifted to a standing position. From there you can transfer him to any chair, bed, toilet and lower him to a seated position, remove the loops from the Sit to Stand then remove the "belt, harness" the Sit to Stand is only if he has strength in his legs to support himself for a bit. Once he no longer will support himself then you have to use a Hoyer Lift.
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mother. The caregiver(s) used it and if I was there I’d help. I wouldn’t put much faith in using one at home, which we did. It’s not easy to keep the patient from flipping and flopping, and sometimes they don’t understand what’s happening so they get upset or cry or whatever. All this takes a lot of energy on the caregivers’ part. At the point where the Hoyer is needed, it’s time to move to a facility where professionals are trained and know how to handle any eventuality. Just my (experienced) opinion.
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You haven't mentioned your age, so I'm not sure if you'll be able to manage this on your own. In order to get your husband onto the Hoyer pad you need to roll him side to side to get the pad under him. Then while he's on the pad, you need to hook it up to the Hoyer.
It's recommended that two people be present while using a Hoyer. Finally, the space between your husband's legs and the pole of the lift is very tight. He'll have to be able to either spread his legs, so they can fit around the pole, or you'll have to move him sideways so he's more comfortable during the transfer.
I suggest talking to his Dr. or a therapist so they can assess the situation and make the best suggestions to keep both you and your husband safe.
Best of luck!
I was never there when the caregivers tried to use it. I do know she did not cooperate with the care givers when they tried to use it.
I guess the point making is you need to find out if it’s something you can do alone or if you will need help to use it. You want to be sure there are no falls and that you don’t hurt yourself.
And lastly don’t be surprised if he does not cooperate. I’m not saying don’t try it but sometimes it’s quite upsetting when you think you found a solution only to have the patient not cooperate.
good luck
I'd vote for the 'lift recliner' if all you need is truly help to get your LO to stand up.
And I agree with Kellybel. Learn how to use one before you purchase & install!
Some things to consider:
1. A hospital/SNF/facility will almost always require two persons to do this due to liability concerns. My opinion was that it could be done safely by one, provided:
- The person you're moving will not become agitated (let alone try to jump out of it).
- Hard, flat floors only. It can be very difficult to push a Hoyer across a carpeted floor, and even the tiniest steps are out of the question. Even a raised, wooden threshold can be a challenge.
- Adequate room to move about. Can you move about without danger of ramming the patient's feet or head into something? All Hoyer's have a spreader bar which spreads the support legs outward for stability when loading or unloading. Do you have enough space to fully spread the lift's legs when doing this?
- Make sure your Hoyer comes with a sling, and that it's adequate for the purpose. A full body sling is usually safest, but it won't work so well if you need to place the patient on a commode.
So, you have to convince yourself you can use it safely. Having said that, a Hoyer can make a huge difference. You can move someone into and out of a wheelchair with it. You can move a bedridden patient between bed and easy chair with it, which can make a big quality-of-life difference. You can also lift a bedridden patient above the bed with it so you can change the bedding (sheets, underpads, whatever)
Good Luck.
I too am 72 but my husband is 5' 10" and weighs 205lbs.
The main factors will be;
1. How much can your husband help? Roll in bed? Sit up? (To place & remove the lifter sling under him).
2. Your own ability & limitations. I won't ask your age but the difference between fairly fit & relatively strong to having poor strength, arthritis, back or other issues must be taken in consideration.
Using machinery is not within everyone's skill range.
Have a Physio or OT come & assess & discuss options with you.
His doctor should be able to order this and Medicare will pay for the lift and your training.
He was 6'4 and well over 200 pounds.
Once you get used to it it is easy.
I do have an open floorplan ranch house with wide halls, wide doorways and no carpet.
What might be easier for you as a "baby step" to using equipment if he has some strength in his legs and can follow easy instructions look at a Sit To Stand. Easy to use. Place a "belt, harness" around the waist and there are loops that you attach to the arms of the sit to stand. He places his feet on a platform and you raise the arms of the machine and he is lifted to a standing position. From there you can transfer him to any chair, bed, toilet and lower him to a seated position, remove the loops from the Sit to Stand then remove the "belt, harness"
the Sit to Stand is only if he has strength in his legs to support himself for a bit. Once he no longer will support himself then you have to use a Hoyer Lift.