The Aging-At-Home Transfer-Mobility Device - a Fast, Single-user Device to Mobilize Disabled People in the Home

People who lose mobility at home from disabling conditions can become incontinent and bedridden. The Aging-At-Home device is a low-cost, easy-to-use, easy-to-build transfer device that permits fast (40 sec. - 2 min.) transfer. The device aids caregivers in helping the disabled or the non-ambulatory perform activities of daily living (ADLs).

The device can help people maintain mobility for exercise, entertainment, toileting, and showering. It makes care-giving easier and less labor-intensive for home caregivers. It can reduce incontinence in the elderly while also reducing caregiver back injuries that result from lifting and transferring the disabled.

To build the Aging-At-Home hoisting device, preparation steps will take about 30 minutes, and the device can be assembled in 4 minutes (see video below).

There are multiple videos describing building and using the device. The build videos aid the builder in following the step-by-step instructions.

Build videos:

Video describing how to construct Version 2.0 of the Aging-At-Home device in 4 minutes:

http://www.aging-at-home.org/aah-build-process-version2.mp4

Review of the required parts for Version 2.0:

http://www.aging-at-home.org/aah-parts-version2.mp4

Usage videos:

Basic commode transfer video:

http://www.aging-at-home.org/aah-transfer-WC-commode-1.mp4

Six more demonstration videos (transfer to/from beds, wheelchairs, etc.):

http://www.aging-at-home.org/aging-at-home-demonstration-videos.mp4

More information:

www.Aging-At-Home.org

Disclaimer: Aging-At-Home designers claim no medical or engineering expertise, and seek only to share information we have found useful with others. Any use of the information provided is up to others, and we assume no liability for such use. This project description is for information purposes only. The information is not provided for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease, disability, or medical condition.

1) 2 - Ultra-Tow 1/4 - 5/16 Load-binders (or chain binders) normally used for tightening the chains that stabilize/bind freight for hauling - 5400 lb. load capacity - $25.00 USD each

2) 3 - Eye bolts with nuts - ½ “ x 4 “ - 300 lb.load rating each – $2.49 USD each

3) 3 - 1/2 in. diameter 1.5 in. length bolts, 6 - 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) diameter steel/nylon locking nuts, 8 - 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) inner diameter - 1.37 inch (34.8 mm) outer diameter washers

4) 2 - 1 inch (25.4 mm) diameter hose clamps - $2.00 USD each

5) 2 - Rope Ratchets (for strapping down camping equipment or raising loads) - Part # 10030 - Manufacturer: Carolina - North - 500 Lb. capacity - 8 ft. of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) diameter rope included - $15.00 USD each

6) 2 - Chain Snap Hook - 3/8 in. x 3 1/8 in. - $3.29 USD each (for hanging rope ratchets)

7) 2 - Brass Swivel Eye Snap Spring Hooks - $9.00 USD each

8) 1 - eye screw - 320 lb. rating,- 7/16 in. x 5.25 in. length - $4.00 USD

9) 1 - "MasterVest" or "gait training" medical vest (recommended) - price varies but some are available used at Internet auction sites. A slower alternative is a sling normally used with a patient sling lift. A toileting type sling with straps that wrap under the thighs is required to transfer people in sitting or semi-sitting positions.

Tools required:

1) Electric or hand drill

2) .5 inch (12.7 mm) diameter metal drill bit (to drill holes in metal square tube) and .25 inch (6.35 mm) diameter drill bit (for ceiling eye screw pilot hole)

3) Knife (for cutting ropes) - burning nylon rope ends is optional to reduce fraying

4) Medium-sized flat head screw driver (to tighten hose clamps)

5) Cut-off saw with metal cutting blade or hack saw (to cut square steel tube)

6) 2 adjustable wrenches or 2 - .75 inch (19 mm) diameter sockets and socket wrenches (to tighten .05 inch (12.7 mm) diameter bolts)

Note: The first 5 steps below consist of preparation of materials (about 30 minutes). The last 7 steps are assembly steps (about 4 minutes).

Cut (using a hack saw or chop saw with a metal blade) the 7/8 in. (22.2 mm) square steel tube to 18 in. (45.2 mm) in length. The tube's wall thickness should be 0.065 inches (1.65 mm) or greater. (5 minutes)

Drill three 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) diameter holes in the square tube (through both sides) as shown in the diagram. Drill and 0.5 inch diameter metal drill bit is required. (10 minutes)

Cut or grind the chrome metal hook off each of the two "rope ratchets" as illustrated by picture. (10 minutes)

1) Remove (pull out) both ropes from "rope ratchets". 2) Cut both ropes in half (optional: burn cut ends to reduce fraying) 3) Set ropes without looped ends/hooks aside 4) Remove chrome hooks from ropes 5). Attach brass "swivel spring hooks" to looped end of each rope (see 2nd picture above). 6) Thread these ropes back through the rope ratchets - open end on outside (release button side) of rope ratchets. 7) Knot the open ends. Final result is in picture 3 above. (5 minutes)

Taking the two set aside ropes from step 4, knot one end of each and slip each rope through a hose clamp. Slip the hose clap over the end of the load binder's lever arm and tighten the hose clamp securely with the knot near the clamp. Knot the other end of these "pull ropes".

NOTE - This step begins the 4 minute assembly process (as shown in the "assembly video")

The Eye Screw (the screw that is first screwed into into a 2x6 or 2x8 ceiling beam before the device is used) is bolted to the link (the hook is ignored) of the upper orange load binder using a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) bolt (2 washers on the eye screw side, one washer on the link side). The bolt passes through the two washers, the eye-screw, the link, another washer, and a locking nut is then tightened securely onto the bolt.

Bolt the links of the upper and lower load binders together with 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) diameter bolt and washers (sequence: bolt, washer, upper link, lower link, washer, lock nut)

Bolt the bottom link of the lower load binder to the eye bolt using the hole in the middle of the square tube (sequence: bolt, two washers, eye bolt, link, washer, lock nut). Eye of eye-bolt should face upward.

Using two end holes in square tube, bolt two eye-bolts to ends of tube with eyes facing downward. Use one normal nut and one locking nut for each. Bolt the third eye-bolt to the middle of the tube with the eye facing upward.

The third picture above shows the results of connecting the load binders first together, and second to the eye-screw at the top, and third to the square cross tube at the bottom. The end eye-bolt connected to one end of the square tube is shown in the upper right hand corner.

Use spring-links (pictured at right above) to attach rope ratchets to the end eye-bolts. See link between rope ratchet and eye bolt in the left lower corner of first picture above.

Screw the eye-screw into the middle of 2x6, 2x8, or 2x10 ceiling beam (see first picture). First drill a .25 inch (6.35 mm) diameter pilot hole in the ceiling beam 2.0 inches (50.8 mm) deep. Use the flat head screw driver to twist the eye screw until all visible treads are in the beam. Note that it is easier to put the eye-screw into the ceiling before bolting it to the upper load binder.

The eye screw must be in a position where a person can be hoisted from a wheelchair, a bed (if required), a shower chair, a Geri-chair, a commode etc. The second picture shows the load-binder's hook/link remaining before attaching the eye screw to the beam while the first shows the eye-screw screwed into the ceiling with the hook and link (optionally) removed.

Note that two eye screws can be used side by side (an inch apart) with a bolt (with washers and a nut) going through both in order to increase safety when hoisting heavier people.

Attach the straps of the "MasterVest"/ "gait training" vest to the Aging-At-Home device. The vest's straps are variable length with different length loops. Clip the brass swivel spring hooks to the loop in the vest's straps on each side. The loop used must allow the ropes of the rope ratchets to be taught when the ropes are pulled fully. If they are loose, choose a loop closer to the vest (make the strap shorter). Some adjustment might be required to the device (for example, removing the load binder's end links to shorten the device) based on the height of the ceiling so these rope ratchet ropes can be made taught prior to transfer.

Now the device is ready for use. The vest can now be strapped onto the person to be transferred by buckling the two front buckles as shown in the second picture above. The vest also has directions for use attached to it.

See the 7 Aging-At-Home demonstration videos referenced in the introduction above to see how different kinds of transfers are done.

THE END