Falling is a big concern for elderly care facilities. It’s a fact of life that as a person ages, the body doesn’t function like it used to. Loss of skeletal muscle mass known as sarcopenia begins at age 30 but accelerates the older you get. It plays a major role in increased frailty, decreased strength capacity, and loss of mobility, all of which make falls and fractures more likely.

In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, nearly 40 percent of people over the age of 65 rate loss of mobility as a disability with problems with walking and doing everyday chores such as getting to the grocery store a close second. Throw in a myriad of other ailments such as joint problems, back pains, and neurological slow-downs and the odds of a senior falling are pretty good.

Falls among the elderly are a major cause of hospitalizations, broken bones, and bruises. Serious falls can result in a life-long impediment such as the use of a cane, walker, or wheelchair. Prevention of falls should be one of the top priorities in elder care facilities.

WHERE A FLOOR LIFT COMES INTO PLAY

Assuming a senior falls and has no major injury. He or she may still have a problem with getting up. Assistance will be required. So what are you options as a care provider? Decades ago, you’re only option was to physically lift the patient. You could have them crawl over to a chair to use as an impromptu crutch, but that’s awkward and if the chair or other device is unstable, could result in another fall, causing further injury.

Physically lifting a patient resulted in injuries to the care provider for a variety of reasons.

• Improper form. The care provider was lifting using his or her back instead of legs.
• Repetitive motion. Lifting people over and over again for years results in the overuse of certain muscles such as the forearms and back. Small tears can occur that over time causes strains.
• Distance. Often the patient is in an awkward position and not close to the care provider’s body. Leaning over puts the care provider in a position for musculoskeletal injuries and puts pressure on the spine.

Luckily, we live in the twenty-first century where technology has all but eliminated the danger to caregivers through lifting devices for seniors. Some floor lifts use slings and an overhead patient lifting device that is bulky, cumbersome, tedious and a long process for the patient on the floor, and takes up a huge amount of space to store. Furthermore, the floor lift device is difficult to transport and usually requires two caregivers.

That’s where the Raizer by Client Care Equipment in Boise comes in. Our lift chair has many features and benefits to the care provider:

• Portable. The Raizer lift chair can be disassembled and transported in to what equates to a simple gym bag (and is about as heavy).
• Assembles around the patient. The Raizer lift chair assembles around the patient, eliminating needless moving of the patient and the time involved to do so.
• Battery operated. Once the patient is secure in the Raizer lift chair, it’s simply the matter of pressing a button and in seconds the patient is in a seated position and ready to stand up.
• Multiple uses. Because of its portability, the Raizer lift chair can be used by ambulance personnel, fire fighters, EMT’s, hospital staff, physician’s offices, elderly care facilities, and at home by any and all care providers.
• Simple to use. Because the Raizer lift chair is so simple to use, anyone can use it, including a child.

Eliminate needless injuries to your staff and costly time off and turnover with the purchase of the Raizer lift chair for your caregiving facility. Institute a safe patient handling policy in your office today using the Raizer lift chair. Your office staff will thank you, and so will your patients. Contact Client Care Equipment in Boise today to schedule a free demo!