Written by Mike Price, OT
Nothing can completely eliminate fall risk, especially among the elderly and people with mobility challenges. If a fall does occur, it’s imperative not to add to the trauma. If a patient is lifted up from a fall incorrectly, any injury could be made worse. Lifting a patient from the floor after a fall also exposes a caregiver to a greater risk of injury. Back, neck, and shoulder overuse causes the most common caregiver injuries. Pushing and pulling to get a patient up is not good for the patient or the care provider.
A fall recovery device is specifically created to safely and efficiently get patients up after a fall. There are several kinds to choose from, and each design has its own benefits. The best option for you depends on your environment and your individual needs.
The Top 4:
One of the reasons the BestLift Full Body Patient Lift from Bestcare made our top 5 is because of its weight capacity. It comes in models that can accommodate patients who weigh up to 400, 500, or 600 pounds.
It is a high-capacity patient lift that is also compact and easy to maneuver, even in rooms with limited space. This fall recovery device provides professional-level performance in a home care setting. Its overall base length is less than 45 inches, with a maximum width of less than 43 inches. In addition to its weight capacity, it also boasts a generous height range, and the base legs are width-adjustable. It is battery-powered and comes with a charger to maintain 24/7 availability.
It has a corded remote and an onboard display, and it can safely help get a patient off the floor after a fall with a lift range of 25.8 inches to 69.1 inches. Along with alerts for low charge and meeting load capacity, this fall recovery device provides alerts when the charge is low or the weight capacity has been reached. It also has a lift-and-lower emergency backup system.
This lift will serve a wide range of patients, but especially for bariatric patients in the 400-600-pound weight range, this fall recovery device delivers a safe and reliable lift from the floor after a fall.
Features and Benefits
For patients who can maintain a seated position, the Elk Inflatable Emergency Lifting Cushion by Mangar at number 4 on our list is an innovative compact indoor or outdoor option to lift someone off the ground after a fall.
The risk of caregiver injury is minimized with this inflatable cushion that’s operated by low air pressure delivered by the efficient and powerful Airflo Compressor that comes included with the cushion. The fallen person can scoot to the cushion or be assisted. The caregiver uses the simple hand control to inflate the cushion, which raises the seated patient. Guided by the caregiver, the patient is raised to a position where they can rest, stand, and/or move to another seat. It minimizes the amount of handling of a patient to avoid further trauma.
The lifting capacity of 980 pounds means this powerful lift can serve most people. It is durable, easy to clean, and takes up very little room while in use and in storage when it’s not inflated. It has a grab handle style and is well-balanced and takes no effort to transfer. The air compressor charge recovery time is two hours per lift.
This is a convenient choice for patients who have the upper body strength to maintain their posture in a seated position while being raised on backless cushions. It can even be used independently, and if caregiver assistance is needed, it only requires one care provider to operate.
With the multi-featured UPack Universal Backpack Vest for Lifting and Transfer Assist by U-Vests at number 3 on our list, patients can be lifted via a harness-style system or the compressive joey-style that acts like a sling.
This vest has 10 strategically-placed handles that can be used for lifting the patient from a face-down prone position on the floor after a fall. The design of this ambulatory aid allows caregivers or first responders to, without straining the spine, carry a patient weighing up to 100 pounds. For support and comfort, even when a fall hasn’t taken place, the backpack-like vest has compressive support around the chest, back, and core that helps the wearer hold proper posture while getting around.
Using the straps between the legs or the joey-pouch, the patient can be assured to receive the most appropriate kind of support. This fall recovery device comes in pediatric and adult sizes, with 25 color combinations to choose from, and fabric options including cotton, nylon, or a hybrid. Each fabric is commercial-grade, antimicrobial, mildew resistant, and antibacterial. Its available options include hot and cold pack sets, laundry bags, and lead lines.
If a person wearing this vest has a fall, there is no need to roll them onto a sling or sit them up in order to prepare them to be lifted. The built-in support keeps them in proper position while the handles allow them to be lifted efficiently by caregivers or first responders. For people who are ambulatory on their own, but who are still a fall risk and can benefit from the posture support while they’re going about their day, this backpack vest provides a safe and supportive way to be lifted from the ground.
Click here for a video on how the vest is used.
The number 2 device on our list is the Raizer II Patient Seat Lift Assist by LiftUp from Medline. It only requires one caregiver to operate safely, and it is easy to assemble and use on the go.
This fall recovery device can be assembled quickly in four steps at the site of a fall, With two identical backrests and four identical legs to snap into place, it uses lights and sound to let you know the components have been properly secured and the lift is ready. It has a case and a trolly, and this lift is lightweight and easy to carry. But when assembled it’s strong enough to accommodate a patient up to 330 pounds.
Since it doesn’t require a caregiver to lift a patient who has fallen, potential injuries for both parties are minimized. After it’s put together and the patient is rolled onto it, through a simple remote control the lifting operation moves the patient up to a seated position where they can safely step off and walk away from the lift. There is a seatbelt if the patient is dizzy or unable to sit up straight on their own. There is an emergency stop button built in to stop the lifting motion if necessary.
It is durable, easy to clean and keep sanitized, and can go for up to 80 loads (40 at highest weight capacity) between battery charges. It comes with a USB charger and a 15W charger compatible with standard power outlets.
For a post-fall lift, the Raizer II Patient Seat Lift Assist is extremely easy to assemble on the spot. It is near the top of our list because of its simple yet sturdy design, its powerful lifting ability, the safety features that confirm proper assembly, and it requires only one caregiver to operate.
Click here to see a video on how this device is used.
The Human Floor Lift for Fall Recovery by IndeeLift tops our list of fall recovery devices. Independence is often sacrificed when mobility is compromised. One of the things patients like most about this lift is that it can be self-operated, helping create a sense of dignity and maintain independence and privacy in otherwise vulnerable situations.
It comes in two models, one with a 300-pound capacity and one with a 400-pound capacity. The lift is easy to maneuver and can be rolled to a central location. In the event of a fall, a user can crawl or scoot to the lift, press up on the lift or use the remote, and within a minute be lifted back on their feet or to another seat without any assistance. If the help of a caregiver is needed, this process does not require any physical strain or present an injury risk to the attendant or the patient.
This unit comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and an AC adapter cord. It is truly built to last with a powder-coated steel frame, and it has been recognized as a top choice for patient lifts in multiple articles including, 25 Tools Every Occupational Therapist Should Know How to Use and Patient Lift Buying Guide. It has a small footprint and doesn’t take up much storage space.
This lift is a great fall recovery device for the elderly, disabled, injured, and mobility challenged patients. Without harnesses or cradles, the user just slides onto the ramped seat for a safe and comfortable experience. It arrives with minimal assembly required, just two wheels needing to be bolted on with the included Allen wrench.
Because it is powerful, can be operated without help, and is perfect for home use, this fall recovery device claimed the top spot for the way it combines safety with independence, and provides confidence without physical strain on a caregiver. If you want a lift that is easy to get onto from the floor that will help you transition to a standing position, this user-friendly model will suit you well.
Click here to see this lift in action.
Depending on what design you prefer, any of the fall recovery devices on our list will help you get off the floor and into a safe position. For a sturdy electric device that does not need harnesses or slings and can be operated independently, our number one choice provides the most independence for patients who have fallen without injury and just want to get back to their daily life activities.
The first thing to do is consider how much of a fall risk exists. If a person has fallen before, there is a high degree of certainty that it will happen again. If the risk is high, it is a good idea to investigate the different designs on the market for devices that help raise a person who has fallen.
Determine how much upper and lower body strength the patient has, and if the patient can participate in getting up from a fall. Can the patient sit up without assistance? Can the patient independently rise from a seated to a standing position? Knowing the patient’s abilities will determine the level of assistance required from a fall recovery device.
Make sure the device you choose is safely and comfortably sized to accommodate the weight of the patient.
Many transfer and lifting devices require two attendants to operate safely. If you are not guaranteed two caregivers will be on hand to assist, then you should choose a fall recovery device that does not require two people to safely operate.
Consider how much room you have to store a fall recovery device when it’s not in service. Also, think about how much space you have to maneuver a device around the house. Space limitations could influence which fall recovery device is most appropriate for your home.
Simple tips to prevent falls include:
View the Caregiver University article comprehensive guide on fall prevention for more information.
If someone has fallen and is injured, you shouldn’t don’t move them. Call 911 and keep them comfortable and still until help arrives. If they aren’t injured, they still must be physically able to get themselves up with your assistance. It is not safe for you to lift their weight on your own.
Place a sturdy chair next to the senior’s head and another sturdy chair down by their feet. Help them roll on their side and assist as you can to get onto their hands and knees. Move the chair near their head, right in front of them, so they can place their hands on the seat while kneeling.
Leading with the knee, have them lean forward and put their foot flat on the floor. Move the other chair behind them, and have them use both arms and legs to push up and sit back onto the second chair.
Use your hands to steady them, but keep your back straight and don’t do any lifting. You should be there for balance and encouragement, not for lifting.
We have chosen the top 5 fall recovery devices, and our list includes different design approaches to getting a patient up after a fall. You are sure to find a style that will work in your home, and you can be confident that it will be a high-quality piece of equipment that you can count on after a fall.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
