My mom has been at this long term care facility for two years and every once in awhile they need to use a sit and stand lift to help her transfer, but only once every few months and only on bad days (she has MS). This lift device really hurts my mom so she does try to avoid it. Suddenly, the facility is stating how they are a no lift facility and they have to use this lift machine no matter what. Now I can help my mom transfer and I am a little person who doesn’t exercise. I generally never have an issue helping her. My mom can assist with her transfers, she pulls with her arms and can stand a little. Since the sit and stand is painful for her and just a large nuisance (it can take up to an hour for them to get it for her and that’s difficult with bathroom issues!) She really prefers the one or two person transfer and it just makes sense to me.
Is my mom considered a person who needs enough of a “lift” for the no lift policy to take place? I view helping her as assisting, I thought the lift policy was for people who couldn’t help out the caregiver.
If more info is needed to clarify her situation, please let me know. I feel like my mind is all over the place this morning! I sometimes feel like the nursing home is trying to get rid of her.
Nursing homes have them, but the aide to patient ratio is so overstressed already, that I get they are stopping the use of them. And, they are lowering their own money costs regarding insurance coverage for their facility.
I say if you don't feel your mom is safe or if she doesn't feel safe on her own (even with an assistant), it's time to change nursing homes.
Then they had to put THE SIT AND STAND methodology in place?
Investigate as to what has changed.
I like the idea of the Occupational Trainer showing how its done.
For safety of residents as well as staff many Nursing Homes have a policy that if the person/resident needs two people to transfer they are to use equipment. And many facilities have the policy that they will not use a mechanical device for lifting, if a resident needs that they are transferred to a skilled nursing facility. (This is something that when looking into a facility you should ask what the policy is.)
It sounds like your Mom might be better with a Hoyer rather than the STS. There are different types of slings for the Hoyer. There is a full sling, a full mesh sling with a commode hole, this is what I used when getting my Husband into the shower, and there is a split leg sling. Basically a 3/4 body sling with long leg straps that go under the legs and crisscross. I used this type for brief changes when he was bed-bound and I would put this on him after the shower to transfer back to bed where I would dress him. Then the full body sling to transfer him to his chair. (Thanks to Hospice I got the equipment as well as the knowledge how to use it!)
By the way even with equipment in a facility it should be used with 2 people. (home setting different rules)
It is probably also to defer lawsuits. We live in a society that tends to sue.
They can't pick and choose - hence the "no lift" policy.