Hello folks, my p. a. [direct payments] helps me out of bed in the morning by assisting me with a little lifting and pulling [probably not allowed- as we know] but we get by. At night it’s easier because I raise my wheelchair a bit and sort of roll into bed with her help- again this has worked fine- for the past four years. My p. a. lives not far away, and she is my long-term partner.
I do have a hoist which she has used very occasionally for these operations which works fine but it is long-winded and frankly, I don’t like being dangled off the end of a boom.
I’ve got progressive m.s. huh.
Anyway, my social worker visited the other day to see how things were for me and recommended 7 half-hour afternoon visits for my p. a. and four hours to take me out socialising – very nice. However, she was clearly uneasy about my transferring situation [and I guess understandably so], but she does not know that I’ve got the use of a hoist. She has required me [in the nicest of ways] to have an OT assessment in the new year which [albeit reluctantly] I have agreed to.
So, [and I know councils vary on their policies] is a p. a. allowed to operate a hoist by herself? And, when the OT attends do I need to have my p. a. there to demonstrate a transfer or would a talk-through normally suffice? I don’t want my direct payments stopped through unsafe practices, and I don’t want to be beholding to an incoming second p. a. dictating what time I go to bed and get up. I will drop direct payments if necessary to maintain independence. Any thoughts?
Hi, yes! Now this is exactly a question I have just asked my 4 new carers re hoisting. One said I should be a 2 carer job.
I said no. One is fine. But my hoists are ceiling type…very easy if the client can assist ie putting straps on., plus other movement.
It is harder with portable hoists. but still do-able.
boudsx
Can you weight bear at all to transfer?
I’ve got a Prism Freeway Raiser which is a single person operated transfer aid. There are videos online if you want to check it out. I bought my own. I’ve no idea if you could get funding if it is suitable.
Hello Flowerpot, nope, unfortunatley not.
regards and thanks