Question about Lifts

[MikesMom]

Hello:
I'd appreciate if anyone here can give me advice about the lift equipment that they are using, either for themselves, or to help other people with disabilities. My son Mike is 18, about 5'5'' and 100 pounds. Mike has CP and doesn't bear any weight, not even stand-to-transfer, and is pretty spastic, especially in the mornings. I can still lift him, but I recognize that the time is coming soon where that's not a possibility.

We looked at a track lift system which spooked me so badly I haven't gone back. It looked like a complete PAIN to get the sling part wrapped around Mike (they promised that with practice it would take less than 5 minutes!), and then each part of the lift would take about 7 - 9 minutes. So, one trip to the toilet would take:
1 lift out of the wheelchair to the bed to lower the pants etc.
1 lift from bed to toilet/commode chair
1 lift from commode back to bed to pull up pants etc
1 lift back into wheelchair
So if I was REALLY good at it, it would take 25 minutes. Does this make sense? Is this something we just have to suck-it-up on, and get on with buying the equipment?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jeanette

[Queen1]

I know how you feel about looking for a lift. I am 36 years old, 5'5", 180 pounds, and suffer from MS. I am also spastic and a quadriplegic. I cannot bear any weight and do not have the use of my arms and hands. I live with my parents and transferring had become very difficult for them to help me with. I had an occupational therapist come to my house and trained me on a hoyer lift. This was very difficult for us to do and it didn't suit my needs for toileting. She then told me about a Stella lift.

The way this lift works is with a harness that is put under your armpits. There are handles to hold on to but since I cannot use my arms they are crossed in front of me. I am dead weight. With the harness up around your armpits, accessing the pants is very easy. This lift can be found at planetmobility.com. When you go to patient lifts, scroll down to Stella. With this lift I only need one person to assist me.

I hope this information helps. Good luck.

Colleen

[Penlady]

My Father is 300 lbs. Paraplegc. His care attendants also use a stella lift for him, and they lower his pants while he is lifted, This one is a full body sling but the straps are in places where you could clean him easily after toileting as you lift him up again. They always keep an extra battery recharging, so when one starts to get low, they can pull off the low battery and put on the new one. They are thin and easy to maneuver through doors and halls. Your CP son knows when he needs to go to the bathroom? My Dad doesn't, so we use a diaper on him, and remove the diaper/clean him while he is on the lift, then lay him on the bed or chair where the diaper is, and tape it closed. (With the side tapes). Blessings to you, Sheila