Para Rider Hoist

Dolphin Lifts Group at The OT Show 2016

The Dolphin Lifts Group are delighted to be exhibiting at the OTShow 2016 which takes place on the 23rd and 24th November at NEC Birmingham. All OT visitors to Stand D30 can enter our competition to win an iPad mini by leaving their contact details with a member of our team.

For the first time, Dolphin will be exhibiting the Stiltz Home Lift, the stylish alternative to a stairlift which is making huge waves in the domestic lift market.

Also on show will be working models of the Handi-Move ceiling hoist and body support system, the mobile shower bath and the versatile wall hoist.

To register for the event please click here. If you would like further information about any of these products please call Dolphin on 01276 856060 or email info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Disabled Access Hoist for Hot Tubs

14 year old Joel Tucker is now able to enjoy hydrotherapy sessions at home following the installation of a Handi-Move wall hoist supplied by Dolphin Lifts.

Joel now uses the hot tub at least twice a week and his legs have strengthened considerably since he started using it.

There are two versions of the wall lift which are suitable for aiding access to a bath or hot tub as well as a mains only version which can only be used indoors. 

The lift can be mains powered, with an emergency battery back up, using a transformer to make it safe to operate in wet areas. If the hot tub isn't close to a power supply a battery only powered wall lift is also available.

The Handimove wall hoist has been designed for use in confined spaces such as around a hot tub where tracked or mobile hoists are unsuitable. It is also often used inside the home if there are low ceilings or if fixings can't be made overhead.

The wall lift is controlled via a waterproof hand control, making it completely safe for use in an environment where there may be water.

The telescopic arm of the hoist can extend the radius of its arc from 900mm to 1300mm (354” to 512”) which ensures the user can be easily transferred from their chair. There is also an extension bracket available if a longer reach is required.

For more information on this and other spa access solutions please call us free on 0800 9800 126 or email info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Blupool Mobile Pool Lift

The new pool lift from Digiproject, the Blupool, is now available to buy from in the UK through Dolphin Lifts.

Capable of lifting up to 140kg, the Blupool is suitable for most deck level pools even if there is a low waterline.

For more details or to find out more about the pool access products that we supply visit the pool lifts page on our website or call us on 01276 856060.

New Handi-Move 2 Point Spreader Bar

Handi-Move have designed a new 2 point spreader which is extremely flat making it a very useful option if the height of the room is an issue.

The spreader can only be used with the Handi-Move 2800 ceiling hoist. For more details click on these links: 2 point spreader bar, 2 point spreader bar dimensions.

I-Swim 2 User Operated Portable Pool Lift

New for Summer 2016 the stylish Italian designed i-Swim 2 pool lift is now available to buy in the UK from Dolphin Lifts.

I-Swim 2 User Operated Portable Pool Lift - Side View

With a lifting capacity of 136 kg and a total weight of 300kg the i-Swim 2 can be operated independently or by an attendant if required.

I-Swim 2 User Operated Portable Pool Lift - Rear View

The battery powered i-Swim 2 can be used approximately 50 times between charges, making it suitable for use at busy leisure centres, hotels and other public pools in addition to being a popular option for domestic use.

I-Swim 2 Pool Lift Dimensions

For more information and current pricing please contact Dolphin on 01276 856060 or enquire by email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Huge Oxford Dipper Price Reduction

Order before 30th March 2016 to buy the Dipper with spreader bar for only £3030, that's a saving of £1000 from the RRP. Includes free delivery to mainland UK.

Order before 30th March 2016 to buy the Dipper with Ranger chair for only £4240, that's a saving of £1200 from the RRP. Includes free delivery to mainland UK.

For more information, please call Dolphin on 01276 856060. Please note that the price does not include installation, prices available on request.

Poolpod Pool Lift

The Poolpod is a submersible platform lift which enables people with restricted mobility to safely access public swimming pools.

The lift can be retrofitted to existing pools and is an increasingly common choice for new build projects.

Poolpod can be used standing up or with the custom designed submersible wheelchair which locks onto the platform when the lift is in use.

The lift can be operated independently by the swimmer or by a pool attendant or carer using the Poolpod Remote Control. 

Wristbands are provided to users to enable them to control all movements of the Poolpod by placing the band against one of the illuminated buttons. They work using an embedded chip which is recognised by the Poolpod buttons when it is held within 5 cm and they are 100% waterproof.

Visit our website to find out more about Poolpod and our other pool access products or call us free in the UK on 0800 9800 126. For overseas enquiries call 01276 856060.

Handi-Move 2800 Ceiling Hoist for Hydropool

We recently installed the new Handi-Move ceiling hoist over a hydropool in a clients home in the North of England.

One of the many benefits of the new 2800 series is the ability to be able to make the hoists suitable for use in wet areas with the addition of a membrane panel and PU treatment on the printed circuit boards.

For more information please contact Dolphin on 01276 856060 or send an email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Dolphin Lifts Group at The OT Show 2015

The Dolphin Lifts Group will be exhibiting at the OT Show this year on Stand E25. We are delighted to be launching the new Handi-Move 2800 ceiling hoists, the new seat sling and the updated body support system.

HM2800 Self Hoisting Overhead Lifts

Also on show will be the incredibly versatile Mobile Shower Bath which can be used as a shower stretcher, shallow bath, or treatment table.

Shower Bath Trolley

Another extremely useful product that we will be demonstrating is the Handi-Move wall lift hoist, this innovative device is often installed if a ceiling hoist is not feasible or desirable, for example if the ceiling is too low or not suitable to fix to.

Wall Lift Hoist

Completing the Handi-Move line up on this year's stand will be the portable motor, on display for people to try in conjunction with the body support, seat sling or a conventional loop sling.

Portable Overhead Hoist Motor

We will also have a Flow curved stairlift on the stand, the Flow's unique "auto powered" chair swivelling system allows the lift to be installed on the narrowest of staircases.

Flow Stairlift

Finally, we will be showcasing our portable travel hoist, which can be used in the home for day to day transfers but is also compact enough to be taken with you on day trips and holidays.

Portable Travel Hoist

The spreader bar lifts from the front rather than overhead which enables the hoist to be used to lift people into most types of car seat.

If you're not attending the OT Show and would like more information on any of these products please don't hesitate to contact us on 0800 9800 126 or be sending an email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Riding for the Disabled - Hoists

Dolphin Mobility can provide a number of solutions to the challenges of lifting a disabled person onto a horse.

Without knowing the structure of the building involved, or the particular needs and capabilities of the individual concerned, it is difficult to provide exact costs. As you will see from the photos, there are several options.

Overhead hoist systems are often used and can be fixed to steel beams if there is a covered area and suitable structure. It is usual for a ramp and platform to be constructed on one side. This makes the job of assistants much safer and easier. The prices for overhead track system suitable with the Body Support will range from £2500 - £3000. But additional costs may be incurred if scaffolding is required to mount the hoist.

For users with reasonable upper body strength and mobility, the Handimove Body Support is the most suitable system, it allows 360 degree rotation. It can be used with Handimove ceiling hoists, portable hoists or wall mounted hoists. The approximate cost is £970 for the Body Support and leg supports.

It is essential that prior to purchase, the user is assessed and tries the system out, as many people are unable to use it, due to the nature of their disability.

 

For those unable to use this system a standard Spreader Bar and Sling may be used. It is normal for a Toileting sling to be used. ie back and legs supported but not backside. Typical cost for a Spreader Bar and Sling would be around £300.

For outdoor areas where there is no mounting place for a hoist, by constructing concrete pads, a gantry system can be used. This can be permanently fixed or removable posts can be sunk into the ground. Use of a portable lifting system such as the Handimove Portable model, means that the hoist can just be clipped on when needed and stored in the dry when not in use. The Handimove Portable can be used with the body support system or a sling.

Handimove Portable Hoist costs £1395, Typical gantry cost excluding building work £1200, Body Support System £970.

The Portable system has the benefit that it can also be used in the disabled bathroom in conjunction with a ceiling track. The hoist is light weight and easily transferred.

If you are able to provide photographs and or plans of the premises and the needs of the client, I will be able to provide much more detailed costs and suggestions. I would recommend that an Occupational Therapist and or Manual Handling specialist is consulted, to ensure that any equipment purchased is suitable. As is always the case, a full risk assessment should be carried out before use by any individual.

Please note that all prices mentioned are a guide price and subject to final site survey. Building and construction works are not included. Prices also exclude VAT.

We are also currently developing a hoist which can be mounted to a horsebox or to a wall in a stable. If you are interested in this type of hoist please contact Dolphin on 0800 9800 126 or by sending an email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Portable Travel Hoist Converts to Standing Hoist

Our popular Portable Travel Hoist can now be converted to a Standing Hoist with the optional knee pad and footplate retro-fit kit.

To find out more please contact Dolphin Lifts on 0800 9800 126 or email info@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Essex Swimming Centre Supports Accessible Swimming

We all know that swimming provides a wealth of benefits for those with limited mobility, including keeping fit and making friends. It is an excellent way for disabled people or those with limited mobility to feel more integrated into the community and meet like-minded people whilst having some form of exercise to keep fit.

Swimming can also provide aquatic therapy for those who need rehabilitation or physiotherapy for their mobility. Runnymede Swimming Pool (part of Castle Point Leisure) in Essex, has seen the benefits a swimming pool hoist can bring, after recently having it installed.

According to Duty Manager Lee Payne, the hoist (funded by Short Breaks) from mobility experts Dolphin Mobility, has helped make swimming available to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity: “The pool hoist has been vital to a group of our members who are now able to take part and integrate themselves into the community more, rather than becoming socially isolated, by taking part in swimming-related activities.”

The centre hosts a number of members with moderate to severe disabilities who come in to use the facilities with their carer, and the pool hoist has been invaluable. “We have people coming in to use the hoist from different areas and we have found it to be incredibly reliable and very easy to operate, making our lives a lot easier. We would highly recommend having a pool hoist to other centres as it gives disabled people the opportunity to be more involved, get some form of exercise, and helps centres to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act by making them equally accessible to disabled and able bodied people. We are grateful to Short Breaks for their help with funding the hoist.”

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Pool lifts are a great solution for making swimming pools disabled-friendly and encouraging more disabled and older people to turn to swimming as an extracurricular activity, enabling them to keep fit and have fun. They can be used in hotels, leisure centres, holiday resorts, schools, colleges and universities – anywhere there is a swimming pool. Christian Dunnage, a Director at Dolphin Mobility, said: “We are delighted with Lee’s positive feedback.

Hoisting Your Way to Independence

Over recent years mobile and tracked hoists have become more and more commonplace in hospitals, care homes and other care related facilities. However, in conjunction with Occupational Therapists, Dolphin Mobility is leading the way in taking this technology to a much wider audience.

Trampolining and rebound therapy has long been recognised as playing a vital role in the ongoing treatment and rehabilitation of people with varying levels of disability, but this can often cause a manual handling issue. Basingstoke Gymnastics Club is a great example of a location that has benefitted from working with Dolphin Mobility on a hoisting solution for its disabled members as Alexandria Campbell, Head of Disabilities at the Club, explains: “We have around 70 adults on the register at Basingstoke Gymnastics Club with varying levels of disabilities, from mild to profound, many of whom use our trampoline. We also have a huge cross section of children, and the hoist has been vital in getting them onto the trampoline – something which most of them are unable to do outside of the Club.”

Jade is one such example. The 19-year-old has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, which has caused severe learning and physical disabilities, along with partial sight. Jade uses the hoist to access the, and according to Alexandra, it has helped tremendously with her movement skills: “Jade absolutely loves the trampoline as it gives her some freedom, sensation and feeling back in her muscles,” commented Alexandra. “She is unable to walk so the trampolining sessions have enabled her to have fun and be free as possible, stretching out all her muscles and get the feeling back in them. She has also met new people who she interacts with, which is excellent for her confidence and social skills.

 “Coming here once or twice a week gives users a new found independence, which they often cannot experience at home due to their levels of disability. We also use the hoist to lift members out of their wheelchairs and be placed on matting for additional therapy sessions. At 19, Jade is our youngest member – we also have people in their 40s and 50s using the hoist, which shows that people of all ages can benefit this type of equipment and exercise. They all love it!”

Craig Dunnage of Dolphin Mobility explains that the hoist in question, the Handimove Victor hoist, is the most suitable hoist for use with trampolines and is highly favoured for rebound therapy: “It will comfortably lift a user from the ground onto a 1.1 metre high trampoline, and unlike many other hoists, will get the user onto the main bed of the trampoline. Because of its size and robust design, it is easy to push and will lift up to 225kg (35 stone) comfortably.”

From a domestic perspective, Jason Miller, from Cambridgeshire, has seen the difference a tracked ceiling hoist has made after having one installed above his swimming pool and hot tub.

Jason, 44, was left paralysed from the chest down after being knocked off his bike while on holiday in Portugal in 2012. Following initial treatment in Lisbon, Jason returned to England to receive further treatment. “It was while I was undergoing hydrotherapy that I realised how important it would be for me to continue this in my own pool when I returned home,” explained Jason.

Jason realised he would require assistance getting in and out of the pool, and started researching hoist manufacturers: “I wanted a hoist that would not only be safe and comfortable, but also unobtrusive as there was limited poolside space,” he said.

The hoist Jason opted for was the HandiMove HM2500 LRC ceiling hoist, a model with infrared hand controls and an electrolytically polished body support to enable self-hoisting, which allows the user to transfer safely and independently from bed to wheelchair, toilet, bath or in Jason’s case, into his swimming pool. Jason’s version of the model also features a membrane panel and has had a PCB treatment applied, for use in environments where water is present. The hoist is ergonomically designed without any loss of space, making it ideal for smaller areas or for domestic use. Jason added: “The hoist has made a real difference to my day to day life as swimming and hydrotherapy sessions play a vital role in my ongoing treatment plan. From a personal point of view having the ability to hoist myself in and out of the water independently is just fantastic."

“When speaking to clients, we always discuss all the equipment and hoisting options available as self hoisting may not be suited to everyone. We are always on hand to discuss the ease with which self-hoisting can be incorporated as part of a more independent lifestyle, even if it is with the partial aid of a family member or carer. With the latest technological advances, there is always a solution and it is our aim and the ethos of Dolphin Mobility, to ensure we leave every client with as high a level of independence and comfort as possible” explained Craig.

Linda Dowdeswell is a great example of someone who is using the latest hoisting technology to self hoist throughout the home. Linda was diagnosed with a cluster of tumours on her spine whilst pregnant with her daughter in 1981. “As my condition has deteriorated we have carried out various adaptations to our home, from widening doorways to converting rooms and installing equipment,” she said. Despite her restricted mobility, Linda is one of a growing number of people who can ‘self hoist’ due to the latest advances in hoisting equipment - this means she can get herself in and out of bed, bathed and dressed independently. These daily activities would be impossible without the Handimove ceiling track hoist with body support system.

Over the last 25 years, Dolphin Mobility has firmly established itself as a leading independent supplier of hoists and stairlifts in the UK. There are now 19 independently owned and operated Dolphin branches covering the UK and Ireland and most are family businesses, helping to add the personal touch so often missing from larger companies. Dolphin Mobility prides itself on being independent and represents many of the leading mobility and access equipment manufacturers including Stannah, Meditek, Handimove and Thyssen. However, as it is not aligned with one individual supplier, the company is in the unique position of being able to offer customers completely independent and impartial advice and quotations. For more information and to find your nearest Dolphin Mobility branch visit www.dolphinlifts.co.uk or call 01276 856060.

Neptune Hydrotherapy Pool Lift

Dolphin are pleased to be able to announce the return of the Neptune Pool Lift to the UK market. The perfect hoist for Hydrotherapy Pools, the Neptune can be used with transporter chairs or a transportable stretcher.

The Neptune works by means of a manually operated winch system and is very user friendly for the person being lifted as well as the operator of the lift. The lift is secured to the floor by the installation of an in-ground socket or surface mounted base plate.

For information on this and other swimming pool transfer devices please visit dolphinlifts.co.uk or call us on 01276 856060.