THE EQUIPMENT

Ceiling lift
This is one of the most requested pieces of equipment by care givers caring for medically fragile children. The attached sling can be raised and lowered to accommodate the child whether lying down or sitting, and slings are interchangeable to accommodate a child’s growth. The remote-controlled lift travels on a track system attached to the ceiling.
“This is so helpful when you have a child that’s larger,” said Nancy McKenzie, Bridging the Gap manager for the transition care home. “You can imagine having to lift them in and out of the bed, to their wheelchair, to the bath chair, time after time again and how much that wears on the care giver. This is a very beneficial piece of equipment to keep those care givers well because if something happens to the care giver then the child would probably go back to institutional care.”

Therapy table
This table, which is used during physical therapy, can be raised and lowered depending on a child’s needs. It provides a stable yet comfortable platform for the child and doesn’t require the parent or care giver to bend his or her back to reach the child.

Hospital bed
This piece of equipment is especially important for children who need constant back support to remain upright. Instead of constantly lying in a horizontal, flat position, the bed adjusts to allow a child to sit slightly reclined or fully upright. The entire bed can be raised or lowered to help a parent or care giver in having access to move the child.

Adjustable sinks
These sinks can be manually adjusted to accommodate children in wheelchairs and smaller children learning daily grooming.

Accessible toilet
Two arms fold down on each side of this toilet, giving caregivers and a child with balance and stability issues the proper support they might need. Due to the amount of pressure that can be put on the fold-down arms, they need to be installed by a professional to ensure the safety of those using them.

Waterproof sling
A waterproof sling attached to a ceiling lift allows a care giver to safely place a child in a bath tub and provides support to hold the child up while he or she is partially immersed in the water.

Roll-in shower with rolling chair and handheld shower
The custom-designed, handicapped-accessible bathroom inside the transition care home is known as the “car wash.” This moniker comes from the ease with which a rolling chair can be wheeled right into the open shower, which features a hand-held shower head that allows a care giver to more easily bathe a child sitting the a chair.
“(This) is a big request for families with children who are wheelchair-bound or even have some mobility or stability issues,” McKenzie said. “You can imagine stepping in and out of the tub can be a big deal for them.”