Have you ever rented a Hoyer lift for your room? Public areas for diapering?

[bdarling]

We are driving from MA in a HP van and are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. My 18YO DS is severely disabled, requiring 24/7 care. My DH has Parkinson's Disease, so he is not very good with the physical care my DS requires. We are considering renting a Hoyer lift for our condo. I think it will be very useful to get DS in and out of bed and to move him around the bed. He weighs about 100 lbs, and we will be bringing a caregiver with us to help out. Has anyone rented a Hoyer before, and will it work under hotel beds that you can't get it underneath?

Also, I am hoping the emergency areas that we used to change DS in the past have been updated. He requires full diaper changes, and we will have to lift him onto a table to do it. I think we had a doctor table for this, but once had to resort to the floor - at least he was young enough to pick up back then! Anyway, we will keep the hoyer sling underneath him and have 2 or 3 or us act as the lift to get him onto an exam table. Do any of you have different methods for diapering older children or adults?

 

[dismom57]

I don't have any specific advice, but I recall a former response indicated that most beds did not allow a lift to slid under them. My DS is 20 and about 110 lbs, we use a glide sheet for transfers and positioning in bed. Circumstances are always unique but we use "briefs" with tabs, and luckily my son can stand briefly if there is a bed, sink or rail to hold. Quick change and then drop back into chair.

 

[Bete]

You may have to call Bonnet Creek about the hoyer lift.

Many of the resorts have platform beds; so, you can't get anything underneath the bed.

With regard to diaper changes I think I would try to use the first aid stations rather than any restrooms. There is a first aide center in each park. There are cots of different heights which may be of help.

 

[Sarahbelle341]

There are companion bathrooms in the theme parks that may suit your needs.