Mobility Info - Canada
Overhead Hoists
A hoist is used indoors to safely transfer a person of very limited mobility. There are generally two kinds available: mobile or portable hoists, and overhead hoists. Overhead hoists are attached to tracks fitted to the ceiling and are especially suited to hospitals, care homes and special needs schools. However, they can also be used domestically, particularly when a long-term solution is required.
An overhead hoist comprises a sling, holding the user, fixed to a powered lifting and raising mechanism running along the ceiling tracks. Some hoists are operated by rechargeable battery units; others are powered from the mains and are attached permanently to the tracks. The latter tend to incorporate a backup battery or manual lowering facility should there be a power cut.
A variety of ceiling tracks is available. Straight tracks are useful for transferring somebody between fixed locations, such as a bed and a chair. Angled tracks enable a patient to be moved around corners and bends and can incorporate a turntable to swing the hoist over to the other track. X-Y tracks and H tracks are the most versatile as they allow a person to be moved nearly anywhere within a room, thanks to the installation of two parallel tracks with a moving track running between them (looking like the letter H from below).
Overhead hoists generally require less effort to operate than mobile hoists and also have the advantage of not taking up floor space or storage space. Some hoists are detachable, meaning they can be used on different tracks within a building as necessary.
The main drawback of a ceiling hoist is that its installation often entails building work or structural alterations. The tops of doorways might need to be cut away to enable tracks to run from one room to another, or ceiling joists might require reinforcement to support the weight. Furthermore, the positioning of the tracks within a room limits the areas a person can be transported to, compared to a mobile hoist, although X-Y and H tracks can mitigate this somewhat.
For more information on choosing an overhead hoist, the Disabled Living Foundation has a factsheet that can be viewed and downloaded at www.dlf.org.uk.
A number of companies specialise in hoists and lifting equipment, including the following:
ARJO is a world leader in the provision of integrated solutions for those with reduced mobility. Its Maxi Sky ceiling lift system is simple to operate with a handset control and consists of a modular ceiling track system that can be tailored to individual care requirements and available space. A pin-locking system joins track sections together and tight curve sections make the most of the room layout.
The Maxi Sky has a range of spreader bars compatible with both loop and clip slings. Other complementary components available include an electronic scale to weigh the user and a supportive walking jacket. ARJO offers complete support from track layout design to long-term servicing. www.arjo.co.uk. Telephone 0870 243 0430.
Liftech Systems Ltd., established in 1993, designs and makes bespoke track and hoist systems for any moving and handling requirement. Liftech’s ceiling hoists use light aluminium tracks with a padded swivel lifting bar and a range of individually-tailored slings.
Safety features include emergency stop, emergency lowering in the event of power loss, over-speed protection and an audible overload warning. Liftech Systems Ltd. can be contacted on 023 8087 2098 or at www.liftechsystems.co.uk.
SwiftTech has been supplying a wide range of hoists from leading manufacturers for 18 years. From initial consultation, the company provides product advice and a full planning and design service. Product training/demonstration is also something the company offers, as well as complete installation and after-sales maintenance and support. See their website at www.swifttechhoists.co.uk or phone them on 01225 792650.
Kingkraft Ltd., based in South Yorkshire, has its own team of factory-trained fitters and maintenance engineers with many years’ experience of installing ceiling track hoist systems in people’s homes. They also specialise in bathroom adaptations.
Kingkraft install the Guldmann ceiling track hoist system that is suitable for anything from a single rail hoist to a network covering several rooms. The Guldmann system features an aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic design with quiet operation and silent charging. The hoist unit is small and compact but is capable of transferring a weight of up to 200kg. Also available is the Guldmann Flexible, a hoist that can be detached and re-installed on the ceiling track(s) in another room. Visit www.kingkraft.co.uk, telephone 01142 690697.
Horcher Medical Systems offer a range of patient hoists and have experience in the field going back over twenty years. The Unilift ceiling hoist series is extremely versatile, consisting of various rails, curves and traverses. The system’s numerous components are easily expandable, while adjustable switches on the rails allow the user to move between different rooms. The Unilift can be used in wet and dry rooms and is mounted on the ceiling or between walls; from 2 to 8 different functions can be controlled via a hand switch and there is the option of having either a permanent power supply or a charging station. Contact Horcher Medical Systems on 01913 831072. See www.horcher.com.
