Rifton SoloLift inservice with tips

Transcript

[00:00] Caption: In-service with tips.

[00:00:00.10] Terri Goebel, PT, MHS: Hi, I'm Terri Goebel. I've transferred a lot of clients during my career and it's not always easy. That's why I'm so excited about the SoloLift. You've already heard a lot of caregivers talk about how simple it is to use.

[00:00:12.05] And now I'm going to give you a few helpful hints. Maybe the most unique thing about the SoloLift is the SoloVest. Instead of a collection of straps and slings, your client actually wears this comfortable, padded vest. It's a little bit like buckling on a life jacket. The vest comes in two sizes: small and large and the key is to get the right fit. (Caption: We added a third size: medium)

[00:00:41.25] The vest should be really snug and hug the client around the rib-cage and below the belt-line; you don't want it to ride up too high.

[00:00:51.02] Choosing the right size depends upon the shape of your clients torso, their arm and shoulder muscle tone and how much weight they can bear. Start with their weight and waist girth measurements. (Caption: Check the dimensions page for new girth measurements.) If they fall in between the overlap of the two sizes, try the smaller vest first. Clients with better muscle tone and a larger chest may be more comfortable in the larger vest. The goal is to avoid pressure under the axilla, with support in the front.

A great way to check that the fit is right is to make sure that the armpit cut-outs stay lined up with the clients underarm and that there is at least two inches of overlap of the front panels. Watch the vest closely as you start to lift. If it begins to slide up, or if the client appears uncomfortable, simply lower him back down and adjust the vest, either lower or tighter, or try a smaller vest. It may take a little adjusting when you first start using the vest, but once you get the fit right, it's very secure and comfortable, even for women.

[00:02:05.29] Another nice thing about the SoloVest is that there is nothing beneath the waist, so during toileting, it's very easy to manage and adjust clothing. Remember this vest really hugs, that's why it's so secure and it may take a few transfers for your clients to get used to that feeling and, as with all transfer devices, it won't be the right solution for all clients, but the vast majority will be really glad that you made the change.

[00:02:41.05] There are a lot of different ways to use the SoloLift and you're about to see two of the most common, and then I'll be back.

[00:02:50.07] Narrator: Watch how a single care-giver can easily move a client from a wheelchair to a toilet or commode, with no lifting whatsoever. The unique lifting vest secures your client entirely above the waist. Straps are tightly fastened for comfort. Just thirty inches wide, the SoloLift can pass through standard doorways. Legs extend for stability or to get closer to a wheelchair. The lifting arm rotates ninety degrees, making it easy to reach the simple vest hooks behind the client.

[00:03:24.02] Leg supports pass under the client from either side and attach with no hassle and no pinching. A "T" grip makes it a breeze. Unclick the wheelchair safety belt and the client can hold the padded bar, if desired, for extra stability. From there, Rifton's SoloLift does all the work. With the easy to use hand-pendant, one care-giver can lift an individual up to two hundred and seventy five pounds (Caption: Now 350 pounds). We've tested the SoloLift for toughness, so it will work reliably for years.

[00:03:58.17] Now that the client is supported, upright and comfortable, just rotate the lift to the nearby toilet. The SoloLift's above-the-waist design lets you arrange clothing while the client is comfortably suspended. Then easily lower her to the toilet.

[00:04:15.28] The vest stays on throughout toileting. Hygiene and clothing adjustments are easy. Then, simply reverse steps to return the client to the chair, re-buckle the wheelchair belt and you're on your way.

[00:04:31.19] The Rifton SoloLift makes it fast and comfortable to transfer from a wheelchair to forward standing equipment, something no other transfer device can do. Watch how smooth the process is with the SoloLift. The client's feet can stay in constant contact with the ground for that all important sense of security. First, the above-the-waist lifting vest is fastened; with no lifting or wrestling with slings before or after transfer. It's hug-like fit keeps the client secure. Once foot supports are out of the way, the SoloLift rolls right up to the chair. Small and compact, there is nothing intimidating about Rifton's SoloLift. Rotate the lifting arm behind your client and the vest is attached with simple hooks. Undo the chairs' safety belt and the padded bar is always available for extra stability. The SoloLift does the rest of the work.

[00:05:29.02] Using the hand-pendant, the client is lifted in an arc to a standing position. Both feet remain in contact with the floor, while the lift bears the weight. Now, your client is in a natural, upright position while you remove the wheelchair. With the flip of a switch, the client can pivot one hundred and eighty degrees and is now facing the Pacer Gait Trainer for easy entry. The process is similar for transfers into other standers. Help your client into the arm prompts and secure the wrist straps. And once the saddle is adjusted the SoloLift gently lowers the client into the hip and arm prompts. Then, just unhook the vest and the SoloLift is out of the way in seconds. Off comes the lifting vest and the client is ready to go. No other transfer device can quickly move a client from a wheelchair to a forward standing device with zero lifting, let alone make the process comfortable, safe and easy.

[00:06:41.15] Terri Goebel, PT, MHS: Those were real care-givers and real clients and no one even broke a sweat during those two transfers. I have some more tips for you. There's a really easy way to ensure good positioning when using the SoloLift to transfer a client into a wheelchair. As you're lowering your client those last six inches into the chair, either gently push the grab bar, if they're holding on to it, or nudge their knees so your client ends up as far back in the wheelchair as possible. It avoids the extra lift to re-position the client once they're seated. And while we're talking about wheelchairs, note that the legs on the SoloLift expand to a full forty six and a half inches wide, so it's easy to transfer into the new wider, power wheelchairs. Then they retract, to thirty inches wide, to move through a standard doorway. And yes, the SoloLift is stable enough to move a client from room to room.

[00:07:44.12] Here's one you'll want to remember. If for some reason the hand control doesn't work, first check the red emergency stop button. It may just need to be reset by rotating it clockwise.

[00:07:58.01] Which leads me to my last few tips about the battery. You don't ever want a dead battery to prevent you from transferring a client, and Rifton has made it really easy to check and charge the battery. There is a light on the hand control that will tell you when it's time to recharge, so check it daily. There's a little trick to putting the battery back on the lift properly. The clip needs to hook over these two prongs, while you push the battery to the back of the holder. You'll know you've got it right when you hear this click and see black bars in the charge level indicator. Charging should only take about six hours and the recharger will automatically turn off when it's done. As long as you keep the spare battery charged, you'll never need my final tip, but just in case, if you need to lower a client and the hand control doesn't work, simply pull up on this manual lowering lever. The higher you lift the lever, the faster the lowering.

[00:09:00.04] That's it. I hope you enjoy using the SoloLift as much as I have, I'd never go back to the old way.

[00:09:08.08] Caption: SoloLift

[00:09:14.03] Caption: Rifton information and orders 800-571-8198