Use of a hoist

[OllieFisher1]

the resthome has started using a hoist to move my Dad. Only twice so far. I was just wanting to guage from others how long the use of the hoist was in place to manage the disease. We can bring him home in the wheelchair, but I do not think we will purchase a hoist. It basically means he cannot leave the resthome.

[easterncedar]

I used the hoist less than a dozen times I think. It worked well enough, but whether it is valuable depends on the weight and incapacity of the person being moved. It wasn’t simple to use, but saved the day a couple of times. I gave it to someone who used it twice for his dad and then passed it on to the next person. Which is to say it seems perhaps the hoist may not be needed for long. Is there any chance you could find a used one? We have a medical equipment supply charity here that collects and distributes used devices. They took a truckload from me.

[OllieFisher1 in reply to easterncedar]

Thanks. My father is in a resthome, and obviously the its an event which demonstrates his progression. My mother lives just over the road from the resthome, and she had a ramp installed and purchased a wheel chair to have home regularly. She lives alone now, and a hoist is just too much. If he cannot come home, I would expect his mental state would deterioriate, but he does have a lot of confusion, and I am not sure how much remembers now day to day. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Kasenda]

Hi , we used the mobile hoist at home as my husband had 2 carers four times a day. They would move him to his recliner in the lounge daily. The occupational therapist arranged for the loan of the hoist. Not sure how involved they are in New Zealand. All the best.

[bichonbear1]

Hi, exactly the same as Kasenda. It’s the only way my mum gets some quality of life so she is not in bed all day every day.

[OllieFisher1 in reply to bichonbear1]

I have no issue with the resthome using it, but it will confine him to the resthome, so am hoping its a final leg, otherwise I am not convinced he will handle that well mentally.

[easterncedar]

Right. If I understand correctly your concern, I’d say the inability to move independently is a stage in decline, but is not in itself a reliable indicator of of the rate of progression. The disease effects individuals so differently. Confusion and strength can come and go seemingly at random. While the ultimate deterioration is inevitable, the rate is largely unpredictable. It’s very hard.

[JCRy]

I bought a hoist for our home with a local charity, on the understanding that, when my husband died, they would have it to lend out to others in need. I guess we used it for around 18 months before he became totally bed bound, and we used it almost daily. I know it is recommended to have 2 people to manoeuvre it, but I managed it on my own in my mid 60s, for a 14st man! Fortunately he never entered the confused stage - he was as sharp as a needle to his last breath.For us, it was worth it, irregardless of the difficulties.

He wasn't in a home at all, so I didn't have the added emotional stress you are facing.

Thinking of you,

Juliet

[OllieFisher1 in reply to JCRy]

Hi Juliet. Thanks for your response. Dad is mostly bed or wheel chair bound now. He would transfer or toilet with two people flanking him either side and he would shuffle his legs, or they use a comode to get him there. The house modifications made were just to improve his quality of life, but a hoist becomes a barrier to that. We may look into it though. Truth is, he sleeps a lot and is often confused due to hallucinations and we have to be realistic.

[messier]

It may be worth pushing the nursing home to try other methods. Mum’s nursing home has suggested hoist a couple of times but mum has made clear she is very much against it. They use a motorised lift with a belt that pulls her up and holds her but her feet stay on the stand. They use two people to transfer her but it looks to me like it could be done by one person. It’s quite a chunky bit of equipment so wouldn’t work in a confined space.