When you cannot easily bathe or get yourself out of bed alone, it may become necessary to use a series of hoists to help you perform all your day to day needs.

For example, you may need assistance from someone else to help you get out of bed and into a wheelchair. But the other person may find it difficult to help you do this. They may not be strong enough to manage the task. If this is the case disability hoists could provide the answer.

Once the hoist is safely in place the person using it can be lifted out of bed and into the wheelchair. This is done by using a sling to cradle the person, which is then attached to the hoist and pulley system itself. While some hoists are attached to the ceiling in a fixed position, others work on a system of rails. These can be more versatile as they allow the person to move from room to room if needed.

These disability hoists are not always ceiling mounted however. Some can be operated using a stand that can be moved about and used in many different positions. This is easier to use in many cases since it doesn’t require a permanent fixing to the ceiling. It also tends to have a slimline design which can be rolled away and tucked out of sight when not in use.

Other types of hoists are designed purely for use in bathroom settings. While you can buy a specially designed bath for these needs, it is often cheaper to opt for a hoist. It can be fixed above the bath so it is made much easier to transfer from the chair and into the bath with the minimum of help.

Some people have more than one of these disability hoists in position around their home. Others have a mobile one which they use wherever they require it. A lot will depend on how mobile the individual is, and whether they can do anything for themselves at all. But rest assured that there is a solution for everyone – you just need to find the right one for you.



© 2009 Mobility Aids Guide.com