The ELK is an emergency lifting cushion designed to provide a safe, dignified lift and is recognised for reducing the risk of injury to carers.

Used in a range of settings, the ELK is used by every ambulance service in the UK as well as by hospitals, telecare response teams and care homes. Its ease of use means it is also ideal for families who care for a loved one with a propensity to fall but want to remain living independently at home.

Benefits of the Elk

The ELK is an innovative piece of manual handling equipment, designed for single handed care.  The fallen person can be quickly and safely lifted from the floor while reducing the risk of injury to both the carer and the individual. Ideal for anyone who has fallen in a confined space, the person who has fallen can shuffle on to the cushion - or be rolled on from the recovery position - and then assisted to sit upright. With the touch of a button, the Elk inflates allowing the person to settle in a raised seated position ready to stand within minutes.

Who can use it?

The ELK lifting cushion is ideal for a local authority setting because it can be used to lift people who have fallen in confined spaces such as bathrooms, hallways and dining rooms. Its ease of use means it is suitable for those not professionally medically trained in the role of carer such as a family member supporting a loved one with a health condition that affects their likelihood of falling.

This includes:

• People with neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s and dementia and Huntington's disease
• Individuals with physical disabilities such as limited mobility or amputees
• The elderly – 30% of adults over 65 will fall at least once a year.  This rises to 50% in the over 80s.
• Plus Size or bariatric patients who face daily mobility challenges and will often find it difficult to get back on their feet when they fall – even though they are uninjured.

Special features

• The ELK is particularly compact and lightweight (weighing only 3.6 kgs/8 lbs)
• One size fits all - The ELK can lift the most fragile person up to plus size individuals weighing 450kg (70 stone).
• Its unique design means it can be used inside or outside and is particularly effective in small confined spaces such as the bedroom, bathroom or hallway where alternative lifting devices may not be suitable.  
• It is powered using the Airflo Plus compressor.