Standing and raising aids are used by caregivers to transfer users between two seated positions, for example, from sitting in a living room chair to a shower chair or commode.
A stand and raise aid is specifically designed to support only the upper body of the user and to re engage the leg muscles when standing. This requires the user to have the ability to bear some weight.
As caregivers perform sit and stand transfers several times a day, it is an essential piece of equipment to relieve the stresses of weight bearing on carers and enables them to provide safe and comfortable transfers for the user.
Benefits Of Stand Assist Raisers
Conducting manual transfers is incredibly physically demanding and can cause a risk of injury to both caregivers and care receivers.
Stand assist raising aids provide a safer alternative to conducting manual transfers. It can also reduce the risk of patient falls from manual transfers.
Using stand assist raisers can also promote mobility in users who can perform actions independently. Stand assist raisers can also have multiple functions, for example, Cortech Healthcare’s Komodo, is a powered shower chair and commode with a stand assist raiser.
Powered or Non-Powered?
Depending on the users level of mobility, there are two types of stand assist raisers.
Users who have the ability to stand up without help, a non powered device could be considered, however, for a user who does not have the ability to stand but is able to partially bear weight, a powered lift should be used.
A powered stand assist raiser usually contains an electric lifting mechanism, generally powered by a battery and is operated by a handset control. A powered riser makes moving the user a continuous, smooth movement. A handheld control is generally made up of push button control to lift and lower the user.
Portable or Non-Portable Battery
Battery portability allows for a dead battery to be quickly exchanged with a fully charged battery.
Some manufacturers provide portable batteries as standard, whereas others may offer it as an option. Another factor to consider when choosing a stand assist raiser.
Hand-Held Control
A hand held control is typically a push button control used to raise or lower the lifting arm.
An important feature is the ability to quickly place the control on the sit-to-stand device during the transfer process.
This will free up the caregiver’s hands to assist or position the user.
Using both a fixed control panel along with a hand-held control allows for greater manoeuvrability when transferring the user.
Other Things To Consider
Finally, when choosing a sit-to-stand device/ standing and raising aid, other elements that need to be considered are ease of use for the user and caregiver; hassle free manoeuvrability that promotes mobility while being comfortable for patients. They are all elements that should be considered before choosing a stand assist raiser.
