How To Use Hoist In Care Home [An Inside & Out Guide]

Caregivers must know how to use hoists in care home settings. Any mistake in handling the device could significantly impact the residents’ well-being and bring misery forever.

Moving across various spaces is challenging for care home residents with mobility issues. On the other hand, manual lifting poses a higher risk of injury. The hoist, a mechanical device that provides a solution for safe transferring, makes it more accessible and reduces potential danger.

For your convenience, this blog post will cover an intricate discussion about handling different types of hoists, along with extra safeguarding tips, so that you can provide more risk-free transfer service to the residents.

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What is a hoist used for in a care home? 

A survey from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSA) shows more than 200,000 older citizens in the UK get hospitalised due to falling every year. According to Age UK, the fear of falling over is a top concern among elderly citizens in the UK. Therefore, it’s not an issue you undermine.

For several decades, mobility assistance devices like hoists have become popular in care homes because they offer safer lifting and movement. So, what is a hoist used for exactly? 

From time to time, the care home residents are required to move from bed to wheelchair, toilet, bathtub, pool, or the other way around. As manual transferring poses risks, care homes use sling hoists to assist individuals with limited mobility in standing, sitting, and lifting. It ensures safety, saves time, helps in emergencies like lifting the resident from the floor, and provides excellent rehab support.

What is a hoist sling in care homes? 

A sling is a supportive equipment with a hoist that assists in lifting or transferring. It’s where the patients sit or get direct support during the process.

Slings are separable from hoists so that you can switch between different sizes or types of slings for hoists depending on the physical traits of the individual. 

Hoist slings are flexible and made from durable materials like nylon or polyester.

What are some types of hoists used in care homes?  

The function of hoists can differ based on their intended use. So, it’s better to choose one based on the mobility level of the individual.

Some hoists are designed to provide support with standing, while others are solely used to help the resident take a bath. You’ll also find hoists that are versatile enough to serve multiple functions.

Overall, the most commonly used hoists we get to see in care homes are:

• Stationary Hoists
• Mobile Hoists 
• Ceiling track hoists
• Bath Hoists
• Sitting and standing hoist

Let’s examine each type more closely and learn its unique purpose in care homes and how to use it correctly.

General Guidelines for using a hoist safely

Before digging into how to use a hoist sling step by step, let’s focus on the safeguarding tips you should pursue when hoisting. There are some common hoisting guidelines that you can follow, regardless of the type of hoist. Safety measurements you must take into account when hoisting involve:

• Compare the individual’s weight to the hoist’s capacity. Each hoist has a certain capacity. Check out the hoist’s user manual. If the hoist exceeds the capacity, you might need to change the plan and use a hoist with a higher capacity. Checking the individual’s weight before conducting the hoisting process is a must.
• Check the hoist, the mechanical part, and the function. If you find any error, fix it before using it.
• Check the sling for tornness. If it is not in a fit condition, change it.
• Check if the sling is attached to the hoist correctly to avoid any unwanted accidents.
• Thoroughly examine the moving area. If you find any obstacle in the way, clear it off.
• Before setting the sling, ensure the resident’s body is turned aside correctly. Once you have turned the patient’s body, position the sling on it and tie it properly.
• It’s recommended to have at least two caregivers for the hoisting process.
• Attach the sling to the hoist and double-check if it’s attached correctly.
• Lift the individual carefully and continuously provide hand support until the individual hovers.
• Never leave the resident along the way. It’s a process to be conducted with extra care.

How to use a hoist step by step

Not all hoists work the same way. Irrespective of their type, safe hoisting should always be ensured so the care receiver doesn’t get injured. It’s always important to handle the situation with extra care and politeness; any negligence in handling could negatively impact the individual’s mental well-being.

We’ll delve into the user guide shortly, but prior to that, it’s crucial to consider some safety measures during hoisting.

Now, let’s take a look at how to use a hoist step by step for each type.

Stationary Hoists

Unlike mobile hoists, stationary hoists are installed and affixed in one location, either on the wall or floor. For that reason, you won’t be able to move the base of the hoist from place to place. But it has a mechanical helping hand that pivots from the base to move between locations. 

One major thing you need to consider before installing the hoist is the structure where it’s mounted. Check out if the installed location has the strength to carry the load of the patient/individual properly and regularly.

Things you need to consider when using a stationary hoist include the following:

• Comb through the physical condition of the hoist. Check out the assembled and moving parts to see whether they are in secure working condition.
• Make sure the mechanical helping hand’s moving area is clear so it can operate without hurdles.
• Ensure the sling is in good condition, and check out the sling.
• The patient’s location is suitable enough to conduct the process smoothly.
• Measure the weight of the recipient.
• Examine the mobility level of the care home resident.
• Correctly position the resident when wearing the sling.
• Adjust the sling and check security.
• Turn on the hoist and manoeuvre it gently through positions A to B.

Carefully conduct the process, and if you need clarification regarding the hoist, refer to the instruction manual or trained caregivers.

Mobile hoists

For larger care settings, mobile hoists are a good option to go with. Most mobile hoists are lightweight and ergonomic and offer a minimalistic design.

The best feature of a mobile hoist is that it’s versatile. The same hoist can be used for multiple purposes, like transferring the recipient from the bed to the wheelchair or to the bath.  

They are called mobile hoists simply because they can be ported from one place to another. Below the hoist, two widely spreadable metal legs are attached, giving you more adaptability to move around.

The carry bar located on top of the mobile hoists allows users to adjust with different sling types and move up and down flexibly.

Let’s see the ideal procedures to leverage the maximum mechanical convenience of a mobile hoist:

• Examine the device thoroughly and check if all the parts are working properly.
• Once you successfully position the sling on the care recipient’s body, carefully attach the sling strips to the carry bar.
• Lift the bar enough so that the recipients’ legs do not touch the floor. Then, use the hoist’s magnetic control to execute the lifting process.
• Now, carefully pull the hoist to your desired location.
• Once you reach the position, adjust the moving legs and position the resident in the desired location.
• Next, use the down button on the control to lower the carry bar and relocate the resident.
• Remove the sling and keep the mobile hoist away from the recipient’s moving area.

Mobile hoists work well for larger care home settings as they offer a wide range of mobility, but there are also models designed for smaller care homes. Overall, mobile hoists can be considered the go-to versatile device for care environments.

Ceiling hoists

The similarity between static or stationary hoists and ceiling hoists is that they both need to be installed in a particular location. However, as the term implies, ceiling hoists are installed on ceilings and are also called overhead rail hoists.

Ceiling hoists work along a track of sturdy metals like aluminium or steel. Between the tracks, a trolley is set where you connect the hoist. A motorised unit constantly powers up the system, which is battery-powered and needs to be charged regularly.

The tracks come in different shapes, such as straight, curved, or turntables, and can be installed on any house ceiling design.

So, How to use a ceiling hoist? The steps you need to follow to conduct a successful transfer include:

• Position the care recipient in a comfortable posture.
• Set the bed at a suitable height so the individual doesn’t face any annoyance or difficulty during hoisting.
• Examine the sling thoroughly to ensure it doesn’t have any damage.
• Position the sling under the recipient and place it properly.
• Now, bring out enough straps from the hoist so that it reaches the ceiling trolley.
• Connect the strap to the trolley with a flexi pole, and lock the mouth of the strap carefully.
• Raise the hoist to a convenient position using the hand controller.
• Attach the sling loop to the hoist.
• Now raise the hoist again and keep supporting the recipient from behind.
• Once the sling hovers enough at a suitable height, your recipient can take it to the desired location.
• Remove the sling from the recipient’s body.

Before using the ceiling hoist, ensure it has enough charge. If you witness any mechanical errors or hurdles, call an expert who can fix them.

Bath Hoists

Bath hoists can be static or mobile. They offer immobile care home patients the opportunity to relax in the bathtub or shower.

Generally, mobile bath hoists assist in escorting residents from bed to the tub. But in a care home using a static bath hoist, the carer needs to carefully take the individual to the hoist via a wheelchair and then conduct the process.

Usually, care homes use static bath hoist systems, which are mounted to the bathroom floor.

When using a bath hoist, you should take the following factors into account:

• Ensure the water you use in the bath is in a suitable condition.
• Examine the bathroom before using the hoist and check whether it’s completely clean or not.
• Check out the hoist, the sling, and the chair you use thoroughly.
• Check the seating position of the resident.

I’d suggest giving bed baths regularly to the residents to avoid the risk of transferring the patient to the static bath hoist.

Sitting and Standing Hoists

Sitting and standing hoists, standing hoists, and stand-up hoists are generally used to transfer immobile residents from bed to chair. So, if you ask how to use a hoist from bed to chair, a standing hoist is the best possible solution.

A standing hoist could also be a great solution for moving and handling the patient for any task.

The most frequent task the carer does when transferring an individual in a care setting is moving them to wheelchairs.

To successfully conduct a standing hoist transfer: 

• First, you need to position the sling behind the resident.
• Bring the standing hoist closer to the resident.
• Place the resident’s feet on the footplate situated below the hoist.
• Then, connect the sling straps to the hoist.
• Next, the resident will hold on to the hoist handles to ensure tight grips.
•  Now, slowly raise the hoist until the resident stands comfortably.
• Move the hoist to a good position where you can place the chair below the resident with ease.
• Once you set the chair with the hoist, slowly lower the hoist neck until the individual gets in a comfortable position.
• Take off the sling and move the hoist aside.

Stand-up hoist safe use tips

Certain factors should always be considered when hoisting. These tips will help you successfully perform this procedure.

• Don’t forget to buckle up the safety strap of the sling during hoisting.
• Position the hoist as low as possible (around the hips or waist) to ensure good support. 
• Ensure the resident is in a good sitting posture.
• There should be at least two carers when hoisting. Make sure one carer is constantly supporting from behind.
• Ensure the resident holds the hoist handles tight enough not to slip off when raising.
• Always do the lifting and lowering action as slowly as possible.

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Final takeaways 

Hoists are a privilege for individuals with mobility issues. Since manual handling poses risks, care homes offer several hoisting options based on the mobility level and the recipient’s purpose.

While some hoists are particularly used for activities such as taking a bath or going to the toilet. On the contrary, a device like a mobile hoist offers versatile assistance. Each type of hoist differs from the other regarding operating methods.

For your convenience, this write-up focuses on how to use a hoist in a care home and provides safety tips to avoid any inconvenience during the hoisting process.