Written by Mike Price, OT
Before he ever drew the first blueprint for the IndeeLift, Steve Powell was a devoted caregiver to his elderly parents. His father, Everett Powell, struggled with obesity, diabetes, dementia, and renal failure, and had a particularly difficult time in the final years of his life.
Everett’s numerous health conditions made mobility a real challenge, but never more than when Everett would fall. In the last year of his life, falls were occurring several times a week, and often in the middle of the night when no one was awake to help.
At first, Steve was able to manually get his father up after each fall by lifting him from the armpits. Soon, however, this technique was no longer an option, as Everett’s armpits and shoulders were so badly bruised from continual lifting that he couldn’t bear the pain. Even with assistance, Steve could no longer lift his father.
With the only option seeming to be placement in a care facility, Steve presented the idea to his parents. But Everett, like many seniors, staunchly refused the offer; he wanted the freedom to age in place, continuing to live independently in his own home.
In a last-ditch effort to aid in Everett’s falls, doctors prescribed the family a transfer-type patient lift to help provide assistance while lifting. Everett, however, was terrified of being suspended in the air, so little progress was made.
Steve knew he needed an answer, and quickly. Taking matters into his own hands, he began developing the framework for a patient lift that didn’t raise a patient to perilous heights or require multiple operators. Finally, by January 2014, the first test models of the IndeeLift were underway.
What truly sets the IndeeLift apart from other patient lifts is its single-person operating capability. It is one of the only products available that helps someone rise from the ground after a fall quickly, safely, and comfortably - even if no one else is there to help.
When an elderly or disabled person falls, it’s often not an impact injury that puts them in danger: it’s remaining on the floor without a way to get up.
If a loved one owns an IndeeLift, they can simply crawl or scoot a few yards to the device, and be back on their feet within a minute. Falling becomes a non-event!
At first glance, the IndeeLift is reminiscent of a hand truck or dolly, and takes up around the same amount of space as an upright vacuum. Compact and modest, it can be left in a central location in the home, remaining discreet while still being fully accessible in the event of a fall.
The fallen person simply scoots to the Indeelift and onto the ramped seat, then pushes a button located on the handheld controller. Within 60 seconds, they are raised to a safe height where they can stand up safely!
If a caregiver is at home to help with the fall, using the IndeeLift eliminates the risk of injury that comes with manual lifting from the ground. A companion can simply wheel the device to the fallen person, saving even more time!
In the words of IndeeLift creator Steve Powell, "The IndeeLift is designed for every person who cannot get up after falling - no matter the reason."
For anyone who is at risk of falling and lives alone, the IndeeLift can mean security and peace of mind that a fall doesn’t need to mean hours stranded on the floor. Also helpful for caregivers of limited mobility individuals, this tool will help spare both caregivers and patients the embarrassment of calling the local fire department to help assist with a lift.
The IndeeLift eliminates the need to strain and push while attempting to lift someone off the floor; even individuals like Everett, who struggled with obesity, can use the IndeeLift with confidence. The IndeeLift is available with either a 300-pound or 550-pound weight capacity, meaning individuals of nearly any body type can utilize it.
"This product is a godsend! Our daughter is prone to collapse due to Parkinson's Disease. The IndeeLift will allow us to provide for our daughter in our home with a better quality of life." - Hal, IndeeLift.com customer review
“This product is revolutionary. We need an IndeeLift in every one of our buildings.” - Regional Director, Multi-state assisted living corporation
“I found the IndeeLift and was ready when I fell again this morning. I won't go into details of the fall, but I did want to tell you that I was relieved and thrilled when getting back up was just as it was supposed to be. The machine is faultless, and I am so grateful." - Jeffery, Indeelift.com customer review
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.
