How do you feel about having to use a hoist?

[rollinaround]

Hi there,

For those of us who have a disability and use a hoist for transfers (for example from wheelchair to bed): how do you feel about this?
I myself will be lifted in a hoist for each transfer (sometimes by caregivers, sometimes by myself) and I think I feel like I have some autonomy over the situation, especially since i am in charge of the remote. However, not so long ago I heard someone say they felt having to use a hoist felt inhumane and if they where a parcel to picked up by a machine. Anyway, I'm just curious what y'all thoughts on this are..  

[britishtetra]

To be honest, I have never really thought about using the hoist it’s just a piece of equipment to get me into my wheelchair. I have a tracking hoist over my bed in the bedroom which goes into a bathroom, it’s pretty well adapted. Today I went to the hospital to have a CAT scan, and I had to be hoisted from my wheelchair onto a bed, then slide across onto a board to go into the machine. Then the reverse to get back into the wheelchair. When I first came out of hospital when I was 18 my dad could lift me out of my wheelchair and onto the bed, I was that skinny. Not no more.

Pete,

[PacMan]

I also have a ceiling mounted tracking hoist and it really is a godsend for me as I’m able to transfer myself in and out of bed from my chair on my own. It gives me an independence that without I really don’t know how I’d cope. If I couldn’t put my sling on and hoist myself across I’d be at the mercy of paid “carers” coming in and having to do my bed transfers which would mean they would be deciding what time I go to bed and what time I get up.

I can’t explain what it means to me to be able to do this on my own.

The most annoying part is however my hoist was paid for and fitted by social services which basically means on paper its theirs and I have to go by their rules which means I’m not supposed to be hoisting myself on my own. These so called “professionals” don’t live in the real world, it’s a job for them but for me its my life, they even at one stage threated to remove and take back their hoist, I told them if that’s how the feel and if that’s what they want fine go ahead and although it would be very expressive I’ll just go and buy a private one myself as they might be able to take away my hoist but they can’t take away my independence.

[rollinaround]

I totally understand both of you I feel like it is indeed just a piece of equipment, but it also can give a sense of independence if possible to control a hoist on your own. For me, this is the case as well: without it my every move would be supervised, which i don't really like - especially in regards to having a date come over..

But let's say, theoretically, if you are in relationship and it's possible to be lifted by someone, would you rather be lifted by the hoist or by your partner? Tbh, I don't really know. If there's a certain level of trust, I think it can also be quite nice to be held in someone's arms.. but yeah, I don't know.. ^.^

[happyface2013]

Feb 29, 2024 16:43:36 GMT -5 PacMan said:

I also have a ceiling mounted tracking hoist and it really is a godsend for me as I’m able to transfer myself in and out of bed from my chair on my own. It gives me an independence that without I really don’t know how I’d cope. If I couldn’t put my sling on and hoist myself across I’d be at the mercy of paid “carers” coming in and having to do my bed transfers which would mean they would be deciding what time I go to bed and what time I get up.

I can’t explain what it means to me to be able to do this on my own.

The most annoying part is however my hoist was paid for and fitted by social services which basically means on paper its theirs and I have to go by their rules which means I’m not supposed to be hoisting myself on my own. These so called “professionals” don’t live in the real world, it’s a job for them but for me its my life, they even at one stage threated to remove and take back their hoist, I told them if that’s how the feel and if that’s what they want fine go ahead and although it would be very expressive I’ll just go and buy a private one myself as they might be able to take away my hoist but they can’t take away my independence.

How do you move from Point A to B when you are in the sling? Are you walking supported or is it electric?

I use hoists but would be unable to put a sling on.

[PacMan]

Mar 2, 2024 14:49:21 GMT -5 happyface2013 said:

Feb 29, 2024 16:43:36 GMT -5 PacMan said:

I also have a ceiling mounted tracking hoist and it really is a godsend for me as I’m able to transfer myself in and out of bed from my chair on my own. It gives me an independence that without I really don’t know how I’d cope. If I couldn’t put my sling on and hoist myself across I’d be at the mercy of paid “carers” coming in and having to do my bed transfers which would mean they would be deciding what time I go to bed and what time I get up.

I can’t explain what it means to me to be able to do this on my own.

The most annoying part is however my hoist was paid for and fitted by social services which basically means on paper its theirs and I have to go by their rules which means I’m not supposed to be hoisting myself on my own. These so called “professionals” don’t live in the real world, it’s a job for them but for me its my life, they even at one stage threated to remove and take back their hoist, I told them if that’s how the feel and if that’s what they want fine go ahead and although it would be very expressive I’ll just go and buy a private one myself as they might be able to take away my hoist but they can’t take away my independence.

How do you move from Point A to B when you are in the sling? Are you walking supported or is it electric?

I use hoists but would be unable to put a sling on.

That’s a really good question my friend. 😀

What I actually use is a retractable snake hook. lol 😂 Yes I know sound ridicules but here’s what one looks like:- SNAKE HOOK CLICK HERE

Basically when I put the sling behind myself back then pull the two sides together under my legs I lower the cross-bar using the remoted attached. Then I hook all four corner straps to the cross-bar. Next I press the up button on the control, next part is the fun part.

Using the snake hook thing, I extend it out fully and hook it onto the side rail of my bed, then by gently pulling on the hook that’s attached to the bed rail I pull my self across from my chair (which I park face on to the bed) over to the bed then lower myself onto the bed.

One of my brothers has described seeing me do it as “like watching something out of Mission Impossible”. 😀

[wheelzoffortune]

My dad had to use one when he was in rehab after a long illness and he hated it. It caused him a lot of pain. I don't have any experience with them other than that.

[rollinaround]

Mar 2, 2024 14:49:21 GMT -5 happyface2013 said:

Feb 29, 2024 16:43:36 GMT -5 PacMan said:

I also have a ceiling mounted tracking hoist and it really is a godsend for me as I’m able to transfer myself in and out of bed from my chair on my own. It gives me an independence that without I really don’t know how I’d cope. If I couldn’t put my sling on and hoist myself across I’d be at the mercy of paid “carers” coming in and having to do my bed transfers which would mean they would be deciding what time I go to bed and what time I get up.

I can’t explain what it means to me to be able to do this on my own.

The most annoying part is however my hoist was paid for and fitted by social services which basically means on paper its theirs and I have to go by their rules which means I’m not supposed to be hoisting myself on my own. These so called “professionals” don’t live in the real world, it’s a job for them but for me its my life, they even at one stage threated to remove and take back their hoist, I told them if that’s how the feel and if that’s what they want fine go ahead and although it would be very expressive I’ll just go and buy a private one myself as they might be able to take away my hoist but they can’t take away my independence.

How do you move from Point A to B when you are in the sling? Are you walking supported or is it electric?

I use hoists but would be unable to put a sling on.

Whenever I'm by myself and I use the hoist, I'm able to put the sling on it (cuz i don't remove it while in wheelchair) and "walk" or pull myself to the places I want to..

[djkream]

I use a Hoyer lift with a sling. Initially, I was a bit skittish, having a history of getting dropped. I can't transfer myself, but after using it, I wouldn't go back to being manually lifted. To me it's just another tool like a cane or glasses.