Kendal lifting chair helps patients and reduces NHS strain

Kendal-based Westmorland Homecare's South Lakeland branch recently integrated the piece of equipment into its care practices.

Reports reveal, that the the Raizer lifting chair has resulted in significant progress in caring for clients who've experienced falls.

Branch recruitment coordinator, Jack Monopoli, said: "This year alone the Raizer has been successfully utilised more than 25 times, significantly reducing the need for ambulance calls and subsequent hospital visits.

Staff training to use the lifting chair in the South Lakeland branch’s simulation room in Kendal (Image: Westmorland Homecare)

"This very much aligns with one of Westmorland Homecare's main aims, which is to reduce strain on the NHS.

"The Raizer has proved to be an invaluable tool in ensuring our clients' swift recovery from falls, thereby enhancing their overall safety and well-being."

Mr Monopoli recounted the positive testimonial from a client's son.

He said: "It's been a big help.

"When she is on her feet she can move about and walk around using her walker, but the difficulty is when she goes down, even when uninjured and fine, she finds it impossible to get up. "The Raizer makes a difference because she can be safely and easily lifted up by two carers, reducing the need for an ambulance or the hospital."

A relevant highlight of the successful implementation of the Raizer clinics is its role in fall management.

Mr Monopoli said: "At Westmorland Homecare, our commitment to providing top-notch care for our clients is unwavering.

"One of the critical areas we focus on is fall management, particularly in reducing the time our clients spend on the floor after a fall.

"More than one hour spent on the floor following a fall is known as a ‘long lie’, and long-lies are associated with serious complications, including pressure sores, dehydration, hypothermia, pneumonia, and acute kidney failure (Rhabdomyolysis)."

The use of the Raizer, according to Mr Monopoli, mitigates these risks, thus providing timely assistance and ensuring better health outcomes for clients.

He credited the lifting chair with providing not only physical assistance but also peace of mind to Westmorland Homecare’s clients and their families, reinforcing this with the client’s son’s feedback.

Westmorland Homecare, catering to vulnerable and often frail individuals over the age of 18, enables them to live independently in their own homes.

Apart from homecare services like housekeeping and meal preparation, it also offers personal care support, dealing with medication, dressing, bathing and promoting living to the full.