Put on Vest     Tighten Ropes          Pull Levers to Raise Person - Replace Wheelchair with Commode, Bed, Mobility Scooter, Shower Chair, etc.

User-friendly, Build-It-Yourself Mobility for Immobile or Bedridden People

Fast, Inexpensive Bed, Shower, and Commode Transfer that Reduces Pain and Anxiety, and Promotes Mobility   


A Do-It-Yourself/Build-It-Yourself Lever-based
Hoisting and Mobility Device
Introduction

Mobility is critical when caring for disabled persons in the home. When mobility is lost, people are often forced into nursing homes which can quickly bankrupt families.


A device to move disabled people between beds, wheelchairs, shower chairs, and especially commodes (see video: Commode Transfer) is valuable if it is:

  • Inexpensive - ~$150 USD cost of parts excluding vest/sling
  • Fast - 40 sec. to 2 min. transfer
  • Safe for patient - person raised 6 inches, only unsupported for 6 - 20 secs.
  • Safe for caregiver - Produces minimal shoulder/hip/back stress
  • Compact - takes up no floor space
  • Easy to use - caregiver's own body weight hoists person
  • Single-caregiver transfer - sling lifts require 2 caregivers
  • Transfers the fully dependent - sit-to-stand lifts require patients to support more than half their weight
  • Minimally invasive - person hoisted for as little as 6 secs.
  • Easy to learn - transfer method can be learned in 10 mins.
  • Versatile - transfers between multiple patient mobility devices
  • Transfers large patients - over twice the weight of caregiver
  • Such devices do not exist in the marketplace. We therefore decided to make our own device (construct a DIY hoisting device).

    Disclaimer: Aging-At-Home.org claims no medical or engineering expertise, and seeks only to share information we have found useful with others. Any use of the information provided is up to others, and we assume no liability for such use. This website is for information purposes only. This information is not provided for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease, disability, or medical condition.


    Low Cost Construction


    This site describes how we constructed a simple Do-It-Yourself transfer device for less than $150 USD. This does not include the cost of vest or sling since some people already have these items.

    Fast Construction


    We estimate that the simplified Version 2.0 of the device can be made ready for assembly in under 30 minutes using only a manual or power drill, adjustable wrenches, and steel cutter (a chop saw or hack saw). This version can be assembled in about 4 minutes as shown in the Version 2.0 Build Process Video.

    So the greatest challenge is to obtain the parts. However all the parts are readily available in most areas with the "rope ratchets" and "load binders" being the most uncommon or unfamiliar parts composing the device.

    Transfer to Different Device Destinations


    Caregivers can hoist a disabled person in a wheelchair and transfer the person to a commode, a shower chair, or a home-care (wheeled, reclining) bed in as little as 40 seconds. Quick transfer to commodes is especially important to reduce incontinence and the need for adult briefs or diapers which are a source of great embarrassment to the disabled person and great labor and financial cost to the caregiver. Fast, safe bed transfers are of critical importance when caring for the disabled, especially in the home (see Bed Transfer Video.)

    Demonstration Videos


    To see how we used the Aging-At-Home device to transfer a person from a wheelchair to a commode (transfer to a shower chair or mobility scooter would use a similar method), please view the following three minute video: Device Demonstration Video.

    There are more videos showing different kinds of transfers using the Aging-At-Home device on the Videos page: Demonstration Videos of Bed and Other Forms of Transfer.

    Cost Savings and the Desirability
    of Aging in Place


    Though a mechanism similar to the Aging-At-Home device will initially be most usable in developing countries, it could also permit families in the US to save tens of thousands of dollars in nursing home costs (now averaging over $90,000 USD per year) in just a few months. These savings could occur when people with common disabilities that limit mobility are permitted to remain in the home cared for by a single smaller and lighter caregiver (eg., wife caring for husband) as they lose mobility, and become fully dependent.

    The above cost savings do not include reduced costs of insurance and medical care that result from avoiding prolonged bed confinement. Such confinement can result in the need for costly treatments for urinary tract infections, bed sores, poor circulation, blood clots, hypostatic pneumonia, and depression.

    People with advanced dementia who cannot understand and follow the caregiver's instructions are especially prone to becoming bed-bound or bedridden, and are often subject to these dangerous medical conditions.

    The device can thus avoid both forced institutionalization and serious conditions and their associated high costs. It can permit seniors to age at home which is preferred by almost 90% of people over age 50.

    One notable feature of our prototype device is the potential to allow some stronger disabled people to self-transfer. In such cases, people can avoid the need for (and expense of) a caregiver to be continuously present.

    Click the NEXT link at the bottom of the page to view the "basic design" page.



    Aging-At-Home
    DEVICE USE CASES




    Lift person to switch between wheelchair (WC) and commode
    Lift person to switch between WC and shower/commode chair (same method as above)
    Lift person to switch between WC and powered WC

    Lift person to transfer between home-care bed and WC, and reverse the process
    Lift person in commode chair positioned over toilet to adjust their clothes for toileting, clean them after toileting, or to change their adult briefs/diapers (ceiling hook and device must be installed above toilet in bathroom)



    Next we will review the Basic Design.

    To continue, click on the [ NEXT ] link below:

         [ NEXT ]

    home  |   basic design   |   V1.0 parts and directions  |   V2.0 parts and directions   |   videos   |   conclusion


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