2005 Finalist

Multifit Bed Leg Raiser

A leg lifting machine is making life easier for many elderly and disabled people - allowing more of them to live at home and reducing the need for caregivers.

Many elderly and disabled people find it difficult to get into bed and need a caregiver or spouse to lift their legs. However most devices and people can only lift the legs vertically - which unbalances the person and means they have to shuffle their body 90 degrees to become aligned with the bed and pillow.

Wayne Manson's Multifit Bed Leg Raiser attaches to the bed and is operated with a remote control. It follows the natural motion an able-bodied person would use to get their legs into bed, does ninety percent of the lifting, most of the turning and leaves the person needing only minimal effort to settle into bed.

"People that need help to lift their legs into bed never have the energy to shuffle 90 degrees, and the sensation of falling across the bed as their legs are lifted is unnerving," says Mr Manson.

To date, 25 leg raisers have been sold in New Zealand and one has recently been sold in Australia. The leg raiser will be marketed to the UK and European market during 2005.

Multifit Hospital Supplies Ltd.,
Contact: Wayne Manson 09 3691136
Email: wayne@multifit.co.nz