Get a U one that you criss cross under the legs. Adjust the straps using the closer loop to mom. You may need a smaller sling. If your mom has the strength to pull her self to stand but not walk a spryte or as I call sit to stand is perfect for transfers. I always made sure to put the back of the u sling a bit under moms bum. Put a porta potty near the bed and should not have to lift her very high.
boneweary: Perhaps your mother now requires managed care facility living. I see that you did telephone the manufacturer of the equipment and that they were unhelpful.
This situation is why people place their loved ones in residential care. We had a Hoyer lift for my mom, and it took two people, both CNAs, to use it safely. When I was there, I helped also.
But since you chose to keep her at home and take care of her yourself, please keep trying until you get some serious in-home training. If you plan to care for her until the end, you need to avoid injury yourself. And you certainly don't want to hurt your mom.
Best of luck as you move forward in your caregiving journey.
A hoyer lift provided for the home is an easy piece of equipment to use with the proper sized sling. I have psoriatic arthritis and over 70 and easily used it for my mom and later my dad who was 260lbs. Makes things so easy.
Situation sounds dangerous. Could you ask her doctor to order some in-home care where a professional can guide you on what you need and how to do it? When my mom was in rehab and dependent on a Hoyer lift it was a 2-person job. And my mom was not big—5 foot, 135 pounds. I hope you can find some help. May e this situation is showing you she and you would benefit from a care placement. Wishing you well in this difficult time.
Sounds like you're using a "U (Universal) Sling"? They're pretty scary looking. I always used the Full Body Hammock type. When I used a Hoyer Lift for my Mom, they had a toileting sling called a "Full Body Hammock Sling" and it had a little round hole that the patient sits in over the potty - and there's no way anyone should fall through that. I'd lay Mom on her side, and roll her onto the sling, then hook it up and lift it. They sell that type of sling on Amazon.
Although she was able to stand and have a commode rolled under her for toileting, there were always 2 caregivers assigned when she was showered in a Hoyer.
I feel real concern for you. Have you been able to do a survey of residential sites in your area “just in case”?
If you are “bone weary” and I’m sure you are, you may need to consider whether you are able to continue providing her care as you are now.
I opted not to go that route. To me it looked like too much work and I have a small space. So I gust lift her up fortunately I am strong and healthy. I also keep her in diapers and just let her go in the bed and changer her. I also use those disposable bed protectors. They have those external catheters pure wick she used in the hospital but they are very expensive.
Is this a machine to stand up? With a sling that is mostly supports around the waist? That style requires good leg strength.
Or full lift style, that lifts up the whole body? No leg use required.
The sling should work with legs crossed but if Mom is shorter, or very small proportioned then maybe a child size hoist would fit better?
Can you have a PT or OT experienced with hoists review your equipment? Even by photo? The peadiatric ward of a large hospital would use smaller hoists & slings & maybe could be a resource?
No a hoyer cradles the person in either a u-sling sitting position or a full one with or without a hole, which depending on how you hook them up move them in a sitted position or slightly leaning back.
A physical therapist would be able to assess your mother to see the appropriate equipment know this is easier said than done. If she is eligible for Home Care under Medicare a PT is on staff.
Criss cross under the leg. Did you buy one where the front and back loops hook on the same hook or the ones where you hook the back ones on a hanger like system at the rear and the legs at a hook on the other side. That type keeps the patient more upright vs the one hook on each side that both the front and rear loops go on the same hook.
I'd call the company directly to see what options, if any, they offer for this situation. I know the slings come in many sizes; perhaps there is something that can be rigged for mom to keep her snugly fit in the toilet sling, I don't know.
Thank you. Called company (Joerns). They were no help at all. Got some admin person who likely never actually used one. In fact the admin person told me to buy a larger sling. They did give me some local distributors to try calling them. Also I wouldn't suggest to anyone they buy a toileting sling with a 2 inch web seat belt. It is painful. I now see models with a wide cushioned belt. But I don't want to buy another sling no knowing if it will work or not.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PBPW6VH?pd_rd_i=B09PBPW6VH&pf_rd_p=043f9dc5-a086-4c60-873d-19938137e1a3&pf_rd_r=5PY0V2XFP1RZ0G9NYZ5X&pd_rd_wg=baqqW&pd_rd_w=KgqZo&pd_rd_r=f4a4b022-5382-4eff-9934-316b1628583f
But since you chose to keep her at home and take care of her yourself, please keep trying until you get some serious in-home training. If you plan to care for her until the end, you need to avoid injury yourself. And you certainly don't want to hurt your mom.
Best of luck as you move forward in your caregiving journey.
Could you ask her doctor to order some in-home care where a professional can guide you on what you need and how to do it? When my mom was in rehab and dependent on a Hoyer lift it was a 2-person job. And my mom was not big—5 foot, 135 pounds.
I hope you can find some help. May e this situation is showing you she and you would benefit from a care placement.
Wishing you well in this difficult time.
When I used a Hoyer Lift for my Mom, they had a toileting sling called a "Full Body Hammock Sling" and it had a little round hole that the patient sits in over the potty - and there's no way anyone should fall through that.
I'd lay Mom on her side, and roll her onto the sling, then hook it up and lift it. They sell that type of sling on Amazon.
Although she was able to stand and have a commode rolled under her for toileting, there were always 2 caregivers assigned when she was showered in a Hoyer.
I feel real concern for you. Have you been able to do a survey of residential sites in your area “just in case”?
If you are “bone weary” and I’m sure you are, you may need to consider whether you are able to continue providing her care as you are now.
You are not alone.
That style requires good leg strength.
Or full lift style, that lifts up the whole body? No leg use required.
The sling should work with legs crossed but if Mom is shorter, or very small proportioned then maybe a child size hoist would fit better?
Can you have a PT or OT experienced with hoists review your equipment? Even by photo? The peadiatric ward of a large hospital would use smaller hoists & slings & maybe could be a resource?
But...
If the sling has long "legs" criss cross them that might help.
Also I wouldn't suggest to anyone they buy a toileting sling with a 2 inch web seat belt. It is painful. I now see models with a wide cushioned belt. But I don't want to buy another sling no knowing if it will work or not.