Single-handed care (SHC) is a proportionate, person-centred approach where one competent carer undertakes moving and handling that might traditionally require two, using the right assessment, equipment, and workflow to keep everyone safe while supporting dignity and independence. When properly implemented, it improves responsiveness for toileting and transfers, reduces delays, and can free capacity without lowering care quality.
What Is Single-Handed Care (SHC)?
SHC replaces a two-carer manual handling task with one competent carer using appropriate equipment and a documented plan. It is not “doing more with less” but standardising safer, equipment-assisted workflows.
In Australia, SHC is highly applicable in residential aged care (RACF) and community or home care where space is limited and responsiveness matters. Suitability is always determined on a case-by-case basis, guided by clinical judgements and organisational policy.
Typical criteria include predictable movement and cognition, adequate postural control (or correct sling selection), and an environment that allows safe hoist manoeuvres.
When SHC Is Appropriate and When It Isn’t
- Appropriate: SHC suits situations where the person can participate in or tolerate a controlled transfer, the environment allows safe manoeuvring, and the correct hoist and sling are selected, maintained, and used by a trained carer.
- Not appropriate: Avoid SHC when movement is highly unpredictable, pain or fatigue is uncontrolled, behaviours introduce sudden risk, or space and flooring conditions compromise equipment stability.
Always document a trial, establish review points, and revert to two-carer care immediately if risk factors escalate or conditions change.
Manual Handling Best Practice and Evidence
Biomechanical research confirms that compared to manual techniques, using safe client handling equipment, such as ceiling or floor hoists and air-assisted devices, reduces spinal load and exertion.
Training alone is insufficient. Outcomes improve when training is paired with mechanical aids, structured risk assessment, and competency sign-offs within a service-level program.
In Australian aged care and community rehabilitation, this translates to fewer manual lifts, more consistent protocols, and more predictable, comfortable transfers.
The Right Equipment for Single-Handed Hoisting
Hoists
Compact, folding floor hoists are ideal for small rooms and community visits. Mid-range mobile hoists support daily facility transfers, while ceiling track systems streamline frequent or predictable moves in fixed environments. Explore our hoists for aged care to match your layout and workflow needs.
Portable and Freestanding Gantry Systems
When ceiling tracks aren’t available, portable gantry hoists or freestanding gantry systems offer a quick-deploy solution for temporary or community settings. They protect the home environment and enable consistent single-carer hoisting across rooms.
Spreader Bars and Accessories
Four-point spreader bars can improve positioning and resident comfort. Transfer belts assist with supported sit-to-stand cueing. Maintain readiness by ensuring batteries, handsets, and control boxes are charged and available to avoid downtime.
Oxford Hoists and Nimble Portable Systems
- Oxford floor and stand aids are commonly used across Australian aged care for their reliability and repeatability, including compact folding models suited to smaller spaces.
- The Nimble 204 portable lifter provides room-to-room flexibility with low overall weight and a high Safe Working Load (SWL), supporting SHC in both home care and tight RACF environments.
Slings: Clip vs Loop, Standing and Toileting
Match sling function to the transfer:
- Universal slings suit most transfers
- Toileting and comfort slings allow easier access
- Standing slings assist residents who can bear weight and follow cues
Confirm clip or loop compatibility with the spreader bar, and always size and label slings clearly to prevent errors and maintain safety.
Implementing Safe Manual Handling in Aged Care
- Assess: Complete a person-handling risk assessment and draft a written handling plan. Seek sign-off from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or manual handling advisor before implementation.
- Fit and Trial: Confirm Safe Working Load (SWL), sling compatibility, and turning radius. Adjust bed and chair heights to hip level for carers, test paths and thresholds, and verify battery readiness before live use.
- Train and Validate: Deliver practical demonstrations, buddy shifts, and competency checklists. Schedule refresher sessions and scenario-based drills, and embed the process in continuing professional development (CPD) pathways to maintain skill currency.
- Monitor: Track resident comfort, skin integrity, time-to-transfer, staff exertion, and manual handling incidents. Refine workflows as needed, or revert to two-carer care if safety indicators decline.
- Maintain: Adhere to service schedules, battery and charger protocols, and routine sling inspections. Document pre-use checks and trigger reassessment following any clinical, behavioural, or environmental change.
Case-Style Scenarios
- Home care: A freestanding gantry enables safe bed-to-chair transfers in a narrow bedroom where a floor hoist can’t turn, allowing one carer to complete morning routines without delay.
- Residential aged care: A floor hoist with a toileting sling standardises morning transfers, reducing wait times while maintaining privacy, posture, and head support.
- Rehab day room: A stand-aid hoist supports graded sit-to-stand and early mobility with one clinician, aligning with therapy goals and conserving staff time.
Ready to implement safe, evidence-based single-handed care? Book a product demo or request a hoist or gantry quote today to trial the right solution for your setting.
