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⛽CURMUDGEONS' CORNER CORNER XVII⛽

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  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    @Kili sometimes equipment to help with disability can be hired or borrowed via the Red Cross or St Johns ...  maybe try contacting them? 


    Thanks Dove, but its a bit like house insurance one of those things you rarely need , but it needs to be on hand should you need it. I'm not sure it would be practical to hire one or be able to borrow one long term, but thanks for the helpful suggestion.

    Kili

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Ask anyway. The Red Cross in my Belgian town was happy to lend or hire long term in return for a donation or some volunteering.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Kili said:
    My moan for today is the prices charged to the elderly and infirm for what is pretty basic engineering aids.

    On occasion the wife has found herself on the floor. Due to her condition she cant get herself up off the floor. I'm not strong enough to lift her upright on my own and even if I could I would likely bruise her due to the handling involved. We have found ourselves in this situation twice in the last year.

    I decided to look around to see if there was some sort of lifting aid for this situation and lo and behold there's a few, but holy moly how on earth do they get away with the asking prices for these devices.

    The manual lifting chair at this website is £1714.80  and they don't even list the price for the electric one you have to contact them to find out.

    Then we have the Mangar Elk Emergency Lifting Cushion  costing £1299.99 or £1600 direct from the manufacturer.

    I'm now looking at those airbags used for lifting cars , but cant find any to see if I can find some sort of cheaper alternative as the prices of the dedicated equipment is just bonkers.

    This has only happened twice, but I would like to have something portable I could take with us in the car and keep at home.

    Does anyone have any other solutions or are you in a similar situation and what do you do?

    Many Thanks for your suggestions

    Kili
    No idea if this idea is even viable but some medical conditions have charities to help. The classic is MacMillans for cancer. They might supply or have contact with charities local to you who have equipment for loan use.

    I realise a long shot but if the right kit is needed and there's one free in a local charitable pool then it could be worth looking into. I hope you take this possibly stupid idea in the good faith it was given. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Obelixx said:
    Ask anyway. The Red Cross in my Belgian town was happy to lend or hire long term in return for a donation or some volunteering.
    That's what I mean .... not just borrowing for 'an incident' .... sometimes folk donate equipment that they no longer need so that it can be loaned out for folk who can make of use of it.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497

    Kili said:
    Then we have the Mangar Elk Emergency Lifting Cushion  costing £1299.99 or £1600 direct from the manufacturer.

    I'm now looking at those airbags used for lifting cars , but cant find any to see if I can find some sort of cheaper alternative as the prices of the dedicated equipment is just bonkers.

    Ebay shows quite a few cheaper alternatives of the same product.
    Or there are always the hoist lifts if your house is suitable
    Again ebay/gumtree will have cheaper alternatives.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    edited October 2021
    Kili said:
    My moan for today is the prices charged to the elderly and infirm for what is pretty basic engineering aids.

    On occasion the wife has found herself on the floor. Due to her condition she cant get herself up off the floor. I'm not strong enough to lift her upright on my own and even if I could I would likely bruise her due to the handling involved. We have found ourselves in this situation twice in the last year.

    I decided to look around to see if there was some sort of lifting aid for this situation and lo and behold there's a few, but holy moly how on earth do they get away with the asking prices for these devices.

    The manual lifting chair at this website is £1714.80  and they don't even list the price for the electric one you have to contact them to find out.

    Then we have the Mangar Elk Emergency Lifting Cushion  costing £1299.99 or £1600 direct from the manufacturer.

    I'm now looking at those airbags used for lifting cars , but cant find any to see if I can find some sort of cheaper alternative as the prices of the dedicated equipment is just bonkers.

    This has only happened twice, but I would like to have something portable I could take with us in the car and keep at home.

    Does anyone have any other solutions or are you in a similar situation and what do you do?

    Many Thanks for your suggestions

    Kili
    No idea if this idea is even viable but some medical conditions have charities to help. The classic is MacMillans for cancer. They might supply or have contact with charities local to you who have equipment for loan use.

    I realise a long shot but if the right kit is needed and there's one free in a local charitable pool then it could be worth looking into. I hope you take this possibly stupid idea in the good faith it was given. 


    No I dont think its a stupid idea NorthernJoe I'm grateful for your input , much appreciated.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Obelixx said:
    Ask anyway. The Red Cross in my Belgian town was happy to lend or hire long term in return for a donation or some volunteering.

    Thanks for the suggestion @Obelixx I'm not sure we even have a Red Cross here, but I shall investigate.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If no local Red Cross, try St Johns Ambulance. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104

    Kili said:
    Then we have the Mangar Elk Emergency Lifting Cushion  costing £1299.99 or £1600 direct from the manufacturer.

    I'm now looking at those airbags used for lifting cars , but cant find any to see if I can find some sort of cheaper alternative as the prices of the dedicated equipment is just bonkers.

    Ebay shows quite a few cheaper alternatives of the same product.
    Or there are always the hoist lifts if your house is suitable
    Again ebay/gumtree will have cheaper alternatives.
     

    Thanks @wild edges I did look on ebay and saw those items I'm just concerned about buying second hand and dealing with any issues from a private buyer. Might have to go that route.

    I have noticed that bath lift chairs are much cheaper I might be able to use one of those for our puposes.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    This happened when my late father in law kept having falls at homes.  There was no way my dear late ma in law could life him so the paramedics were called each time.  They told her (and us if we got there sooner) that it was always best to call them as you could do further damage to the fallen person and yourself.  And reassuring to have the paramedics check for no injuries incurred in the fall.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
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