UpLyft's Top 8 Tips for Smoother Transfers
- Tip 1
Always check battery power before performing a transfer
Press the two ejection buttons on either side of the battery to remove it from the UpLyft and swap it for a new one. Check the battery status by pressing the circle indicator button on top, which lights up the power bar.
Always keep one battery fully charged and exchange the one in use every time power reaches 50% (two green bars).
Warning: If battery power is too low prior to performing a transfer, you may not be able to complete the transfer.
- Tip 2
Adjust the curl panels around the individual being transferred
The curl panels can be manually adjusted around the torso and thighs of the person being transferred as the panels begin to close, both in the wheelchair and in the bed.
Assisted transfer: the attendant can adjust the panels by hand and 'shimmy' the UpLyft as the panels close, leaning the person slightly forward. Check that nothing is obstructing the panels behind the person, such as a headrest or the wheelchair back.
Self-transfer: the individual can adjust the panels by hand as they close and lean their upper body slightly forward if able.
- Tip 3
Ensure proper placement of the bottom curl panels
When closed, the bottom two curl panels should wrap around the middle of the thighs. The front edge of these panels should sit at least 3 inches, but no more than 7 inches, behind the person's knees.
The gap between the bottom and top panels should be centered around the buttocks. Exact positioning varies by individual and is learned over multiple uses.
- Tip 4
Adjust clothing upon closing of curl panels
In both assisted and self-transfer mode, lightly pull on clothing while lowering the UpLyft onto the bed or wheelchair and closing the curl panels. This keeps clothing from getting caught between the closed panels.
- Tip 5
If necessary, use the plastic shims with wheelchair seat cushions
Plastic shims help during wheelchair-to-bed transfers when an extra plush seat cushion (such as a Roho cushion) sits on the wheelchair seat, preventing the curl panels from catching on the cushion.
Before closing the panels: slide the shims under the thighs, then close the panels, scooping under the thighs and over the top of the shims.
After closing the panels: remove the shims by sliding them out from underneath the thighs.
- Tip 6
Bring the UpLyft further down if the curl panels won't open at the bed
When transferring to the bed, body weight must be fully supported by the bed before the curl panels are opened, with no remaining tension in the hoist cable.
UpLyft's weight sensor prevents the panels from opening under a load of 50 lbs or more, an important safety requirement so panels cannot open mid-transfer.
If the panels will not open, press the 'HOIST, Down' arrow until the person's weight is visibly supported by the bed and the hoist cable is slack.
- Tip 7
Manually place the feet of the person being transferred
Wheelchair to bed: pick up the feet and place them at the end of the bed before moving the person over the center of the bed. This can also be done in self-transfer mode.
Bed to wheelchair: place the feet onto the wheelchair footrests as the person is lowered into the wheelchair. Again, this also applies in self-transfer mode.
- Tip 8
Use the headrest for neck and head support during assisted transfer
Install the headrest by removing the yellow caps from the two metal poles at either extremity of the UpLyft, sliding the headrest onto the poles, replacing the caps, and raising the headrest as high as possible.
Wheelchair to bed: lower the headrest around the head once the person is fully secured, then raise it back to its highest point once they are lying 90% reclined on the bed.
Bed to wheelchair: lower the headrest once the person is secured and their torso is being sat up slightly, then raise it back once they have been lowered into the wheelchair.