Laurie just recommended getting a power assisted lift over a manual hand operated lift. Our first lift was a cheap manual one provided by insurance. The 2nd lift was a folding portable lift that we paid for out of pocket. I'm in my 60's... over 6' tall... reasonably strong... and of good health. I had no problems with the first lift, so I ordered the manual version. My thought was - "The electric one has to get plugged in to keep it charged. With a manual lift, I'll never be surprised with an out-of-charge lift." Sure sounded reasonable to me... and as the sling I wanted for my PALS was about $600.00, the savings would basically make the sling a free option.
Now, almost 3 years later... I wish that I'd done some calculations on lift use. Here's a typical day for us...
Lift #1 - Out of bed in the morning and onto the toilet
Lift #2 - Up from the toilet and onto the stair chair (our bedroom is upstairs)
Lift #3 - Up from the stair chair (bottom of stairs) and to the power wheelchair (PWC)
Lift #4 - Up from the PWC and onto the commode (late morning potty trip)
Lift #5 - Up from the commode and back onto the PWC
Lift #6 - Up from the PWC and onto the commode (late afternoon potty trip)
Lift #7 - Up from the commode and back onto the PWC
Lift #8 - Up from the PWC and onto the commode (evening potty trip)
Lift #9 - Up from the commode and over to the stair chair
Lift #10 - Up from the stair chair and into bed
This would be the LEAST number of lifts. Some days there are more potty trips... and some days are shower days... each add to the number of lifts for that day.
So we'll do the math => 3 years @ 365 days/year with no less than 10 lifts per day... 3x365x10=10,950 lifts.
Now, 3 years older and over 11,000 lifts later, there are many days that I dream as to what it might have been like to simply push a button when lifting. I only hope my PALS will allow me the privilege of another 11,000 lifts.
So... I'm okay with the manual lift. But I really do think I'd have appreciated the powered version... even if I would never consider changing the particular sling that we use. My back (which I broke from a fall while rock climbing in 1999) really doesn't complain at all the lifting. But my arm and hand would appreciate the break. And with a manual sling, there is the risk of letting someone FALL rather then descend when bringing them down. The powered version controls the descent.
I hope this helps those who have yet to decide their lift choice. My best...
Jim