Lift to get person from bed to wheel chair

[Curitiba]

Hello, does anyone where can I buy a lift that will lift a person from a bed and put on a wheelchair.

This is very urgent!

[Ethel]

What sort of mobility has the person got?

Any strength at all in the arms or legs? Able to stand momentarily with a support? Able to sit up without support?

There is a huge range of aids - for the totally disabled there is a 'sling' and hoist affair that physically lifts the person totally off the bed, allowing to be swung in to a chair.

For the 'wobbly legged' a zimmer can be enough support to get from bed to chair.

It is harder to get a person from the chair to the bed, I find.

Speak to social services - if you need something short term they will be able to recommend hire services, and if you need something long term they will be able to recommend the aid best suited to your particular needs.

This things ain't cheap, that's for sure.

[naomi24]

Have you contacted social services? They loaned me a hoist when I was caring for my mum. It's worth approaching them - and don't give up at the reception desk. Pursue it further if necessary.

[Curitiba]

Thank you Ethel - you are always great at answering my qs.
I can't approach Social Services because the person is in another country (which does not offer any social services at all).

The person can only move one of the arms, so I guess the sling / hoist will be the best option. Any names of companies where I can get it cheap? Or any names of brands?

I know it won't be cheap and God knows how will I pay for it, but it is just really necessary.

[Curitiba]

Thank you naomi24 . The person is not in the UK and if it is difficult here you can only start to imagine how difficult it can be abroad.

[Ethel]

This is a great device if the patient has any strength at all:

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/mia/d/oxfor d+standaid+140/pid/6261421

Otherwise you are looking at over �1000 for a hoist and sling (same site).

I still recommend you telephone Social Services for advice where to buy and what to buy.

[bednobs]

http://www.westons.com/acatalog/Online-Catalog ue-PR40022.html

try this if the person can sit and could shuffle accross. I dont really see how you would get a hoist abroad

[naomi24]

Which country is this person in? Maybe if we know that, we can put the feelers out a little more.

[Curitiba]

Hi all, thank you so much for all your replies and site links.

It is in Brazil.

I've made searches in both English and Portuguese and - despite being very disappointed with the very little number of companies selling equipment for disabled people - I managed to find a company called Linak, which distribuites their equipments in Brazil.

I tried sending them an e-mail but there was some sort of error on their site. So will try calling them again tomorrow (closed today).

Thank you all for the help. I will leave this question opened in case you or anyone can help with further info.

Lift for disabled people is called gruas de eleva��o in Portuguese, something I'd never heard before (Portuguese is my mother tongue).

If anything this has really opened my eyes to how dificult it is to cope with a disability and the lack of organisations in Brazil to provide guidance/information/support for people with disabilities.

[naomi24]

These say they export worldwide, but if they can't help with Brazil, they may well be able to point you in the right direction. It's certainly worth contactng them. If I come up with anything else, I'll let you know.

http://www.dolphinlifts.co.uk/hoists.html?gcli d=CJ_Bm_HPvJQCFQNaFQodF3cVTQ

[Ethel]

It would be far cheaper, and much quicker, to buy the device in Brazil.

That is a Catholic country and you need a point of contact for practical advice. I suggest you contact the Church local to the patient and ask for advice.

If you put enough 'spin' on it, they will be especially helpful - tell them you will write an article for your local paper to demonstrate how helpful the Church can be in times of crisis.

:)