How Mobility Aids is Transforming Aged Care and Hospitals?

Last winter, a nurse in a Melbourne hospital found himself in a painful dilemma. He had to manually lift a stroke patient, who is physically weak and immobile. With no hoist available at the time, this approach worked for the patient's hygiene and repositioning needs. But within days, he developed a serious lower back strain. Meanwhile, the patient also felt discomfort and feared losing independence forever. 

This is an example of one incident. In many Australian aged care homes and hospitals, this is still happening because professionals like you are clueless about mobility aids. It is changing the way you can lift a patient, offering a dignified, safe, and sustainable solution. 

This blog explores how mobile hoists are transforming care in hospitals and aged care facilities across Australia. So, keep reading the blog till the end. 

Challenges of Lifting a Patient Using Hands

As a professional caregiver in aged care and hospitals, you've seen and experienced the impact of manual lifting. In aged care, residents need you 24/7 for getting out of bed, into a wheelchair, or onto a toilet. This is fine until it starts affecting your physical strength and your patient’s disability. 

• Carrying a patient repeatedly can strain your back, arm, or shoulders. 

• The constant need for your presence can disrupt your other priorities. 

• Improper or rushed transfers can exaggerate the injury or put pressure on the painful areas. 

• Instills a fear of falling or being handled awkwardly in the patient’s mind.

• Develops an inability to regain independence and always rely on a professional support

You need to acknowledge that mobility aids are necessary to overcome these challenges. While manual lifting is a standard choice, it is impractical and time-consuming. Particularly when advanced technologies are evolving into a mobility support system, relying on them becomes an obvious decision. 

What is a Mobility Aid? A Quick Look

A mobility aid is one type of assistive equipment which offers physical support to people who struggle or cannot walk at all. Using this equipment is helpful to lift and transfer a patient mechanically for everyday needs. In aged care homes or hospitals, you must consider buying one or more of mobility aids like following:

• Stand-to-Transfer Aids: 

It is perfect for assisting individuals with partial mobility or weight-bearing ability to stand and transfer to the bathroom, navigate to a different room, or move inside the car. 

• Mobile Floor Hoists: 

Suitable for people with no physical strength to walk on their own, these portable lifts are ideal for bed to wheelchair or toilet transfers. 

• Ceiling Hoists: 

Almost similar to floor hoists, this type of equipment safely transfers a patient as well. But you need to modify your space ceilings to install the tracking system.

• Turnaids: 

Designed to prevent bedsores and make turning easier when dressing or cleaning a patient with paralysis or extreme immobility issues. 

Now that you are aware of the mobility aids, discovering a provider like CHS Healthcare is useful to understand each of the equipment closely. 

Real and Past Experiences of Aged Care and Hospitals 

Let’s look at a few Australian examples where CHS Healthcare’s mobility equipment are showing significant results. 

• Aged Care Facility – South-Eastern Australia

In a 102-bedroom suites aged care facility (Australian Unity Campbell Aged Care), CHS Healthcare installed a ceiling hoist system across each bedroom. The equipment fits effortlessly without giving away the clinical or bulky look. Besides supporting mobility, the company helped the organisation to choose a design complimenting the space aesthetics. 

• Commercial Hospital – Australia

The use of ceiling-mounted hoist systems in general wards, emergency wards, children care centres, cancer treatment rooms, medical imaging rooms, rehabilitation centres, and surgical operative rooms is another example. CHS Healthcare collaborated with Bendigo Hospital to equip J-rail, fixed, and ceiling hoists to reduce the need for multiple nurses.

• Specialist Disability Housing – Sydney

Tenants living in SDA homes used Sit-to-Stand Hoist to help their patients gain maximum independence. This device is best for someone who can partially bear weight and can even use a device during an emergency. 

These anecdotes are setting a standard and encourage professionals like you to adopt a proactive and compassionate approach. 

The Human Benefits: Beyond Convenience

Mobility hoists and slings change healthcare practices and most importantly, millions of lives. 

For patients, it:

• Reduces pain and discomfort during movement.

• Enhances dignity for patients fearing falls or awkward handling.

• Encourages mobility, recovery, and independence.

For caregivers, it:

• Prevents severe injuries and burnout.

• Supports better workflows and reduces manual handling stress.

• Builds confidence in delivering safer and respectful care.

Other Considerations to Look for

Despite clear benefits, there are some complexities. Some facilities lack the budget or know-how, while others fear installation complexity. In regional areas, maintaining the equipment and accessing technical support is another hurdle. 

However, patient handling device providers like CHS Healthcare resolve these problems seamlessly. The team schedules installation, arrange a training session for professionals, and extend their services to maintenance and technical support. What else do you think could be a better solution to these challenges?

Future of Mobility: What to Expect Next

Technology is evolving. At present, you are discovering sensor-assisted hoists, that also integrate with care management software, and adapt to individual wards. In the future, mobility support will be less about lifting, and more about enabling autonomy for patient-centric care.

Final Words

We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, manual handling is not at all assisting anymore. Automated hoist systems support, lift, and transfer a patient through gradual movements. Whether in aged care or hospitals, you must shift the conversation from reactive lifting to proactive empowerment.

Assistive technology like hoists, transfer aids, and pressure care systems are capable of transforming how your patient’s care, move, and restore dignity.

Let’s move forward together now. If you're an aged care provider, clinician, or hospital manager exploring mobility aids, reach out to your local assistive technology provider to assess your site’s needs and options. CHS Healthcare is a leading provider, offering customised, affordable, and advanced equipment for every healthcare sector.