nona
Senior member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2018
- Messages
- 555
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 02/2015
- Country
- US
- State
- NH
- City
- New London
I am juuuust about at the point of needing to use the hoyer lift. Most of my caregivers can still stand and pivot me but I know my stepmother won't be able to for much longer. I don't know if she'll like the hoyer though. It seems like a lot of steps and finagling for one person to manage alone, but I know many of you have done it. I have an electric hoyer from the local ALSA and a couple of different slings. This morning the OT came over and showed my caregiver how to use the sling and hoyer to get me out of bed. We got me up but it took a lot of adjusting and understanding of body mechanics and I'm worried that not everyone will get it. So that's my first concern: understanding.
My second concern is that the OT recommends leaving the sling under me in the PWC all day. I can see why, but I barely made it three hours today before I felt the mesh dig in, and the bottom interfered with the Roho seat cushion. I know that won't work for 12+ hours a day. Right now they can stand me up and pull the sling out; is that how I'd get it back under me? What is realistic?
My third concern is what to do with a wet sling after a shower. Do I have my caregiver put me down on the bed to swap out the sling for a dry one? I can't get back in my chair with a wet sling. I don't really want to get my bed wet but it seems like the better option.
This all leaves me feeling daunted by the hoyer, but I know that it's a crucial tool that many of you have mastered. Please tell me how you did it. Many thanks.
My second concern is that the OT recommends leaving the sling under me in the PWC all day. I can see why, but I barely made it three hours today before I felt the mesh dig in, and the bottom interfered with the Roho seat cushion. I know that won't work for 12+ hours a day. Right now they can stand me up and pull the sling out; is that how I'd get it back under me? What is realistic?
My third concern is what to do with a wet sling after a shower. Do I have my caregiver put me down on the bed to swap out the sling for a dry one? I can't get back in my chair with a wet sling. I don't really want to get my bed wet but it seems like the better option.
This all leaves me feeling daunted by the hoyer, but I know that it's a crucial tool that many of you have mastered. Please tell me how you did it. Many thanks.