A ceiling lift is an accessibility device that helps transport patients with limited mobility to and from a bed, wheelchair, shower, or toilet. Nurses or caregivers working in residential care facilities are likely to experience work-related injuries as they are often involved in the task of lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients with limited mobility. A ceiling lift can eliminate the need for manual lifting and reduce the risk of injuries to caregivers while allowing patients to be transferred in a safe, comfortable, and dignified manner.
Leading manufacturers in New Jersey offer high-quality fixed or portable ceiling lifts that are used in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities for patients with varying degrees of mobility. A ceiling lift makes use of an overhead track system to lift and transfer a person in a sling-seat from one point to another, for instance from a bed to a chair or for in-bed repositioning. These accessibility devices offer more flexibility for patients and caregivers by allowing the lift to be moved from the bedroom or hospital room to another location and back again as the patients go about their daily activities. Prior to purchasing a ceiling lift, certain factors must be given due consideration. It is important to select a reliable company for purchasing a ceiling lift. A reputable company will supply various models of ceiling lifts (both fixed and portable) for residential and home care environments from top manufacturers, so you can have the best model of your choice. As these products are safe, and of premium quality, the need for frequent repairs and maintenance can be avoided.
Some of the prominent factors to be considered before purchasing a ceiling lift are as follows –
- Type of ceiling lift required – There are fixed as well as portable models. Fixed lifts have a powerful motor unit in the track system, which along with a suspended sling, works as a permanent transfer and lifting solution. Portable models, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility of use and can be moved from room to room, to different tracks. Therefore, choose a suitable ceiling lift depending upon the extent of usage.
- Price – The accessibility device you choose should be cost-effective. An experienced dealer in New Jersey can help you choose a model of your choice within your budget.
- Weight capacity – The weight capacity of a ceiling lift is an important consideration, and each ceiling lift has its own specific weight capacity. Most lifts offer a standard weight capacity between 300 and 450 pounds. If the user exceeds this weight threshold, there are bariatric ceiling lifts intended for patients who exceed these weight limits. Leading dealers offer both fixed and portable models with higher weight capacities. Prism Medical offers fixed models with a weight capacity ranging from 300 lbs. (136 kg) to 1000 lbs. (454 kg). Portable models are available in weight capacities from 300 lbs. (136 kg) to 600 lbs. (274.28 kg).
- Range of lift height – Ceiling lifts have different height ranges and this differs from one lift model to another. Some lift models are capable of lifting across the height of the room. Some ceiling lifts have advanced positioning options as they offer a wide range of lift heights to reach low enough to pick or lift a patient (fallen on the floor) and high enough to lift patients up to a high mattress height. To make sure your lift is perfectly formatted to your space, measure the heights the lift user requires to reach the device (for instance, from bed surface or chair surface to maximum height).
- Slings – A crucial operating piece of any lift is a lift sling as these devices support the patient during the movement. Choosing the right sling size is important in order to achieve the highest possible patient comfort and safety. The three basic components to be considered for selecting a proper sling fit include – patient height, patient waist size, and thighs size (when applying the sling on the patient). In addition, other factors such as the patient’s physical disabilities, weight distribution, and general physique also must be taken into consideration before selecting the sling size.
- Space – One of the major advantages of using a ceiling lift is that it helps to overcome major mobility barriers while keeping the floor space free. The ceiling track frees up floor space by allowing a less cluttered room and home living space. Portable ceiling lift models require minimal floor space for the overhead stand.
- Safety features – The ceiling lift model you choose should contain prominent safety features to ensure safe and comfortable patient transfer. These include built-in safety limits, pneumatic hand control, positive locking latches, slack strap sensor, battery light indicator, sling attachment mechanism, over-speed governor, manual override option, and emergency lowering/stop controls.
- Ceiling track – The ceiling track serves to carry the ceiling lift and/or track accessories if it’s a permanent track installed on the ceiling. Reliable dealers offer traverse track that moves along fixed rails to allow for use of the lift in all areas that the track encompasses. Long strap length allows transfers from low beds.
Locate a Reliable Dealer
Day Elevator & Lift offers a wide selection of excellent ceiling lifts for many different homes. We offer expert advice to help you make a wise purchase, as well as inspection and maintenance services for all the lift models we sell. Call us today at (800) 758-5438 for a free consultation, or set up a home inspection through our online contact form.