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This is for my mom, age 97, who lives in a memory care assisted-living facility, has dementia and other illnesses, is heavy, and is increasingly hard for staff to move safely from bed to wheelchair and vice versa. Thank you.

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Sounds like situation for my husband. Hoyer lift made it safe for all. Very smooth, safe to move patient. I think my husband felt less stress. A person can tell when transfers become challenging. Lift gently raises and lowers. So no sudden movement to cause concern. Staff will no doubt be talking thru process and explaing. If person not understanding well due to memory issues, it will still work out as staff know how to make resident feel safe. Used a lot in spouses memory care as many get into that situation.
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Reply to Memories42
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I am actually surprised that they are able to use a Hoyer Lift. Many facilities can not use equipment. It is possible that the one your mom is in allows residents to remain if they entered the facility walking.
YOU do not have to worry about using the Hoyer as the staff should be FULLY train on how to place a resident in the sling and lifting her up to change her, change bedding or move her from bed to chair.
Generally a Hoyer Lift is a 2 person transfer. I used one myself at home when moving my Husband and it is pretty easy but I think in a facility it is required that 2 people do any transfers.
What I would suggest is the following....
When they use it EACH TIME they should say "Susan, we are going to move you. First we have to put this sling under you that will help us."
Each step they should be talking to her explaining what they are doing.
This should make your mom more comfortable.
IF your mom experiences any pain with movement they should premedicate her, about 30 minutes before they have to move her.
If mom is at all anxious and is getting antianxiety meds they should medicate her prior to moving her.

If the staff is unable to safely use the Hoyer then it is possible that she may have to be transferred to a Skilled Nursing facility or some Rehabs would be able to move her. It does not sound like your mom is at risk of leaving the facility so a locked unit may not be necessary.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Rosered6 Mar 31, 2026
Thank you! These suggestions are very helpful.
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The hoyer had a glide ( slide sheet- that should do the work for you
stagf don’t sound very well trained maybe ask for staff more exc
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Reply to Jenny10
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Thank you again for the comments. I'm hoping that the facility can successfully use the Hoyer lift for my mom; if they can't, they'll probably have to evict her.
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Reply to Rosered6
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This is the facility's responsibility. Leave it to them and stay out of the way!

Ask for a hospice evaluation. Hospice might provide various equipment, such as a better wheelchair, bed, etc. It's free, and they upgrade the equipment as necessary. If she qualifies, she and you will have help and advice from the hospice team in addition to that at the MC facility. Contrary to popular belief, hospice doesn't always mean they have only six months to live.

Best of luck to you and your mom.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Rosered6 Mar 31, 2026
Mom is already receiving hospice care. The hospice nurse is the person who is recommending that a Hoyer lift be used. Depending on which staff members are involved, mom needs either one-person, two-person, or three-person transfers now. She is very old, frail, and heavy, and she is increasingly perplexed and fearful about using her feet and legs for the seconds between wheelchair and bed or wheelchair and toilet.
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I recently transitioned to using a Hoyer at home. My husband is about 225 lbs and it’s a little tricky for me, but I had a CNA train me and it’s going well. At the facility it will be a 2-person process so safer and easier for your mom. My mom has gotten used to it at her facility and thinks “wheeee - I’m flying” which helped her overcome her initial resistance.
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Reply to DMcD55
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It really depends on her weight and the maximum allowable weight on the lift. Otherwise she would need several persons to assist. To make matters worse, it is not fun or safe when the person resists
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Reply to MACinCT
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The staff should be trained on the use of the Hoyer. It’s not something that you’re involved in with her in professional care. She may find it scary, my mom did (without dementia) Residents in her nursing home who couldn’t tolerate the Hoyer were cared for only in bed, your mom might be approaching this time
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Rosered6 Mar 27, 2026
Thank you. I recall seeing some comments here about people being scared by Hoyer lifts, and I appreciate you mentioning this.
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