Electronic hoists have a power pack / battery which will need charging. A powered hoist will need plugging into an electric socket. All electric hoists must have emergency stop buttons and manual release mechanisms so that you can be lowered without battery power if there is an emergency.

A fixed or ceiling track hoist may be fitted as part of home adaptations. For example – to provide you with hoisting straight through from your bedroom to the bathroom.

A gantry hoist is designed to stay in one place and is usually positioned with the frame over the bed. It may be suggested as an option where a ceiling track hoist cannot be fitted or if a hoist is required just in the short term.

A mobile hoist may theoretically be used anywhere in the home, but there will need to be a good amount of space to move and turn one. It is important not to have furniture and other clutter in the way and, as the castors on most mobile hoists are small and liable to catch on uneven surfaces, you will need to be careful with loose rugs or worn carpets. Doorways and hallways need to be wide enough to move through.

Many people find it worth having a portable hoist in addition to whatever hoist they have at home. It can be very useful for day trips, holidays and visiting or staying with friends or relatives.

Portable hoists come in a range of sizes and weights and vary in the ways they fold down or dismantle for travelling. Your OT and / or physio will not usually be able to fund a portable hoist, but it is important to ask their opinion as they should be able to advise about safe and suitable models for your needs. They can also help you think about the following questions:

• Can you have a free demonstration – either at home or at an exhibition or at a supplier’s showroom?
• How heavy is it?
• How does it fold down and open up? Can this be done by one person or does it need two?
• How easy is it to move and turn once ‘up’?
• Once folded, is it manageable for your parents / PA?
• Will it fit in your family vehicle (considering all the other luggage and equipment you may have)
• Is it compatible with your slings?
• What is the cost? Is delivery included? How long a wait between ordering and delivery?
• What are maintenance and service requirements? (Often, any warranty is only valid if appropriate servicing and maintenance can be proved.) How and where could it be serviced? How much is servicing likely to cost?

If you are likely to use a portable hoist several times a year, then buying one is an option that many people choose. If your parents need help with funding, realistically this can take time, so another thing to think about is how soon you are travelling.

If timing is tight (or you do not think you will use the hoist much apart from for this holiday for example) then hiring may be an option to explore / compare. Several companies hire equipment, including portable hoists – though choice of models may be limited. Delivery and collection costs can vary a lot depending on your distance from the hirer. It is worth your parents searching for a few quotes.

If you are travelling abroad, you will need to tell the hirer, in case there is any additional cost.

Contact our Support & Outreach Team for ideas about makes of portable hoists that have worked for others, companies others used and possible funders. See also Funding for Equipment on this page.

Your hoist will need a sling for you to sit or lie in. There are different sorts available, for example:

• standard slings made of polyester that can be easily washed and dried
• net for a bathing sling allowing water to drain away and for easy washing and drying.

Most importantly, any sling needs to be individually selected for you so that it:

• suits your weight and height
• gives you the support you need, for example if your muscle weakness makes your head control difficult
• is suitable for where and how you want to use it.

All slings need to be compatible with the hoist you are using. 

Your OT should be able to supply the hoisting you need at home, free via the NHS or the Local Authority. If your parents are separated or you spend a lot of time with say grandparents or other relatives, a second hoist is unlikely to be funded as well, though it is worth checking. You might think about a portable hoist as an option – though this will need to be privately funded.

If your parents want to apply for help with funding, Support and Outreach at SMA UK can suggest charities that may provide a grant. For more information see: Funding for Equipment on this page.