Article - Locate Hoyer lifts on your travels

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Locate Hoyer lifts on your travels

July 26, 2001

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Q: Can you tell me how I can find hotels in Las Vegas as well as cruise

ships that have Hoyer lifts?

Thank you, Carol

A: Our databases do not specifically list hotels or motels that have Hoyer

lifts at the facilities. The Access-Able Web site, www.access-able.com,

lists hotel rooms with beds that are on a frame. This type of bed allows a

Hoyer lift to fit underneath. Unfortunately, most of the hotel properties

would not have the Hoyer lift on site; you would still need to contact a

medical supply company to rent the lift or a similar sling-type lifting

device.

This link on the iCan Web site also has tips on booking a hotel.

I would also highly recommend using a travel agent to book your hotel or

help with planning your vacation. They have access to all of the best rates.

Following are some suggested questions you may give to the travel agent to

assure he or she books a room to fit your specific needs. This link is to

the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Just enter your ZIP code and

it will pull up ASTA-certified travel agencies in your area www.astanet.com

.. You may also call the hotel directly.

The bed would need to be 4-6 inches off the ground to accommodate a Hoyer

lift. The following questions are designed to help you get the room you

need:

Room accessibility

How many wheelchair accessible rooms do you have?

Is there an elevator that goes to all floors?

Do you have lowered light switches, closet racks, temperature controls and

peep hole?

Do you have a television remote control and refrigerator for medication

What size beds are in accessible rooms?

Are there three-prong, grounded wall outlets?

Are there steps to get into the room? If yes, how many steps?

Are there steps within the room? If yes, how many steps?

How wide are the door entrance into the room?

Is the furniture spaced so a wheelchair can move freely within the room?

If needed, can some furniture be removed for the guest's stay?

Is there anything under the bed that might obstruct a lift?

Are beds on frames or closed platforms?

Bathrooms

What is the width of the door into the bathroom?

Can a person in a wheelchair close the door while inside?

Once in the bathroom, will a wheelchair have room to move around?

What adaptations are in the bathroom? Is there a roll-under sink, lowered

mirrors, roll-in-shower, shower bench, elevated toilet seat and hand-held

shower hose?

How many rooms have roll-in showers?

Are there bars around the toilets?

When facing the toilet, which side are the bars on?

When facing the tub, which side are the bars on?

Some of the larger properties in Reno may have a few lift-equipped rooms.

According to New Mobility magazine: " Mirage Resorts has taken hotel

accessibility to a new level in three Las Vegas hostelries: The Mirage (800)

627-6667, Treasure Island and The Bellagio .

Each facility has rooms equipped with a SureHands overhead motor and track

system to assist in making transfers. "

I do not know of any cruise lines that routinely carry Hoyer lifts on board.

Call the cruise line directly to determine if you could rent one and have it

delivered to the ship prior to your departure. Following are contact numbers

for the larger cruise lines:

Carnival Cruise Line

3655 N.W. 87th Ave.

Miami, Fla. 33178

www.carnival.com

Disney Cruise Line

210 Celebration Place

Suite 400

Celebration, Fla. 34747-4600

www.disney.com/DisneyCruise

Holland America Line

300 Elliot Ave. W.

Seattle, Wash. 98119

www.hollandamerica.com

Norwegian Cruise Line

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Fla. 33126

www.ncl.com

Princess Cruises

10100 Santa Blvd.

Los Angeles, Calif. 90067

(800) PRINCESS

www.princess.com

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, Fla. 33132

www.royalcaribbean.com

I would also suggest posting your question on the iCan message boards. Other

iCan community members may have been in similar circumstances and can offer

alternative solutions and suggestions. You may access the message boards at

www.ican.com/board/forum.cfm

Please keep us posted on your results; our member contributions are

invaluable.

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Pam Morenzetti is director of Community Interaction and travel expert for

iCan. You can contact her at askpam@....

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