16/10/2025
👶 ‘First Time Hoisters’ and their reactions
🔹 I always find it amusing when someone is being hoisted from bed (during training) and they go rigid with their legs stretched straight out in front as shown in the picture below. When the security of the bed surface is being taken away, you can see the anxiety come into their face. They are so concerned with holding on and trying to trust the sling, that they are oblivious to what their bottom half is doing and forget that they can actually bend their knees! With a little prompt they relax and become aware of their position.
🔸 This is the reaction of a person who is physically fit and healthy, with the ability to process what is happening and understand that they are safe. Their automatic stress response is still triggered and because they can’t fight or flee, they freeze!
🔹 Now consider what it must be like for someone with pain, joint stiffness, confusion and sensory processing issues; what an uncomfortable experience this must be for them. For someone with advanced dementia each time may feel like the first time. Every step needs careful consideration and planning, with good communication and slow, gentle handling throughout.
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