Residents’ dignity, comfort and safety are paramount in healthcare, especially in facilities that host the residents. This practice is made possible through several pieces of equipment, notably the standing hoist. Although often overlooked, standing hoists are essential for improving care for both residents and caregivers. In this blog, we’ll explore eight important reasons every care facility should invest in a standing hoist.
Enhancing Resident Mobility and Independence
A vital benefit of a standing hoist is that it helps residents move more quickly. This is especially important because many patients in care facilities have restricted movement due to factors such as old age, chronic injuries or diseases. A standing hoist is handy because it is much easier to move a resident from one position to another, such as sitting to standing, with little strain. By helping residents stand and move, standing hoists promote independence. This not only improves their physical health but also boosts their confidence and mental well-being, leading to a better quality of life.
Preventing Caregiver Injuries
Consideration. Transferring the residents manually is physically demanding, and the carers can quickly develop complications that affect their backs, shoulders and neck. These transfers can be quite physically demanding. Thus, there are specially-built standing hoists, also called stand-up lifters. As a result of using a stand-up lifter, the risk of injury is significantly reduced, promoting a healthier and more efficient caregiving process.
Enhancing the Efficiency of Care Delivery
Time management is vital in care facilities, where staff handle many tasks simultaneously. Transferring residents from wheelchairs to beds and vice versa is made easier and quicker with the standing hoists, thus freeing the caregivers’ time to attend to other needs such as administering baths and company and medical services. Standing hoists also bring about possible time and cost savings from transferring the residents from one place to another frequently, enabling the caregiver to spend more quality time with each of the residents.
Improving Resident Safety
Safety is a significant concern in care facilities, where residents are at risk of falls and injuries. Standing hoists help by providing a secure method for transferring residents. They have safety features like harnesses, footplates, and adjustable supports to keep residents stable and comfortable. By minimising the risk of falls and accidents, standing hoists make the environment safer, offering residents and their families peace of mind.
Supporting Rehabilitation Efforts
Standing hoists are more than just transfer tools; they are also helpful for rehabilitation. For residents recovering from surgery, stroke, or other mobility issues, standing hoists help with exercises that build muscle strength and balance. Standing with support can boost circulation, improve joint function, and aid in regaining mobility. By incorporating standing hoists into a rehabilitation program, facilities can speed up recovery and enhance overall results for residents.
Accommodating a Wide Range of Residents
Care facilities support residents with different mobility and strength levels. Unlike many pieces of hydraulic equipment, standing hoists can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they rely on little or much support. Their design makes them ideal for use in any care facility because they can be customised to suit each resident’s condition. This flexibility ensures that all residents receive the right level of care based on their physical condition.
Promoting Dignity and Comfort
The need to retain one’s pride prevents resident’s feelings of vulnerability, which may result from their illnesses. This is especially so when they help by offering more dignity and comfort to residents through standing hoists; for instance, unlike manual lifting, which can be uncomfortable and invasive, standing hoists support residents gently. Investing in standing hoists helps care facilities ensure that residents are treated with respect and dignity.
Long-Term Cost Savings
While standing hoists may have a high initial cost, they offer significant long-term financial benefits. They help prevent caregiver injuries and reduce resident falls, lowering medical and insurance costs. They also improve operational efficiency, using staff time and resources better. Moreover, improved care and safety boost resident satisfaction, which can enhance the facility’s reputation and increase occupancy rates.
Conclusion
In the current healthcare setting, there is a need to consider residents’ quality of life and the safety of the caregivers involved. These goals can be met through standing hoists, where residents gain benefits such as mobility, safety, and rehabilitation assistance, apart from dignity. They also often involve the optimisation of the value chain and are, therefore, a good investment. Employing standing hoists is one way through which the care facilities will offer proper care to residents while at the same time promoting the health of their workers.
CHS Healthcare provides innovative solutions to improve mobility and enhance care quality, offering essential equipment like standing hoists for care facilities.
