A mobility hoist is a vital piece of equipment for people with physical disabilities or for those who have problems moving around the home.
What function does a mobility hoist provide?
A mobility hoist provides a mechanical means of assisting the user in moving around their home.
They can come in many different shapes, sizes and forms, but essentially, they help people get from one part of their home to another by lifting them in and out of wheelchairs, slings or other mobility aids.
Mobility hoists are also incredibly useful for people that rely on a carer, or a family member, to help them move in and around the home.
The effort of lifting and moving someone with mobility problems can be significant, and it can place great strain on those helping from a physical perspective.
A mobility hoist will help take the weight when moving someone, making it easier for everybody involved.
It can also give a person greater freedom within their own home, allowing them to move on their own more easily when otherwise they would be limited.
What Are They Made Of & How Do They Work?
Mobility hoists will usually be based around a frame which is primarily constructed from a strong metal.
They will usually be fixed in to position so as to provide a strong base for movement, but some mobile forms are also available.
There are also two types of hoists available.
A manual mobility hoist relies on the user or carer to perform much of the movement and lifting, although this is much easier than it would be without the hoist.
The way the equipment is designed, it does make lifting and moving the person much easier, though there is still a manual physical element.
The second type is a powered mobility hoist.
Powered hoists are especially helpful as they take all of the weight and move the person in the hoist via a control or control panel.
These are powered by electricity and will need to be either plugged in or it will have an on-board battery which will need charging periodically.
Active & Passive Hoists
Everybody has different needs when it comes to mobility, and there are a couple of styles of mobility hoists to cater for these needs.
These are known as ‘active’ and ‘passive’.
An active mobility hoist may be used when a person can bear some of their own weight and has some stability.
For example, standing up may be possible, but will need to be supported. This is provided by the hoist.
A passive hoist will be used when the user has no ability to bear weight of their own or perhaps has no movement at all.
Styles Of Mobility Hoists
There are mobility hoists available for many different activities.
Static hoists, bathroom hoists and poolside hoists are three of the most common types of mobility hoists, each service a different yet specific purpose.
For more information on mobility hoists, contact our team today to discuss your requirements.