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Hoyer lifts are designed to transfer patients from place to place, such as from their beds to bathrooms or to chairs. These tools make it possible for many people to continue living at home when a care facility would otherwise be required. The lifts can significantly improve the lives of those with mobility issues who otherwise couldn’t move from one area of a home to another without assistance.
Many types of Hoyer lifts exist, and each type has a different cost range. It’s also important caregivers operating these lifts receive adequate training, as using lifts improperly can injure the patient or the caregiver.
“They’re great tools,” says Cay Ambrose, a rehabilitation clinical support specialist at New Jersey-based BAYADA Home Health Care. She’s the director of the BAYADAbility Program, which provides services for clients with long-term functional deficits. “If used properly, mechanical lifts can allow for more independence,” she says.
Read on to learn about Hoyer lifts, including how to pick the best one for you or your loved one and how to operate it safely in your home. FEATURED PARTNER OFFER Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or servicesVive Health Transport Stand AssistEasy installation including all necessary tools and hardware for easy assemblyDesigned for safety with easy pull locks, locking wheels and sturdy weldingPadded seat rest, shin rest and hand grips minimizes fatigue and discomfortConstructed with a strong steel frame with additional hooks for support strapsMoves easily throughout house and fits through most door framesShop NowOn Vive Health's Website
Hoyer lifts, also referred to as patient lifts, help caregivers lift and transfer patients from spot to spot. They’re used in medical facilities and in people’s homes. Because Hoyer makes some of the most popular versions, these devices are commonly referred to as Hoyer lifts.
Lifts are “really for people who are bed-bound, and that could be due to things like chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease or even advanced dementia,” says Lisa Cugasi, a registered nurse and director of nursing at Comfort Keepers, which provides in-home senior care globally. People who can’t bear their own weight for any length of time can benefit from these lifts.”
Though Hoyer lifts are commonly used to assist older adults, Ambrose points out they can also help disabled children. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s guidelines state healthcare workers shouldn’t lift more than 35 pounds.
There are a variety of Hoyer lifts. The most popular tend to be power lifts, says Ambrose, because they’re so simple to use. The type of lift someone should use depends on a few factors, such as price and what your insurance will cover.
Electric patient lifts-which can be plugged into the wall or powered by rechargeable batteries-are usually considered the easiest to operate. “I can push a button to raise it and lower it,” says Ambrose.
This type of device is also called a hydraulic lift, and it’s the only kind Medicare will pay for, says Ambrose. Manual lifts are powered by a hydraulic pump that is relatively easy to use, but more difficult than simply pressing a button on an electric lift.
Sit-to-stand lifts help secure patients as they shift from a seated position to a standing position (as opposed to helping someone who is lying down move into a chair, for example).
“It’s almost like a cross between the manual one and the power lift one, but it’s for people who are a little bit stronger,” says Adrianna Ware, a registered nurse and nurse educator with CareAcademy, which provides online caregiver training. If the person being lifted is able to assist with the lift in any way, a sit-to-stand lift is often a great choice, she says.
While most patient lifts are free-standing, ceiling lifts are-as the name suggests-attached to the ceiling. A track is mounted along the ceiling, which helps save floor space-one reason why some people think they’re particularly convenient.
“The benefit is it’s up in the ceiling and you don’t have a big clunky machine somewhere,” says Ambrose. But they’re expensive, depending on how elaborate the track is, she says.
Average cost: Up to $20,000 FEATURED PARTNER OFFER Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or servicesVive Health Lift SlingCompatible with most lift modelsThree hand grips allows easy repositioning at any angleLightweight mesh makes it breathable and comfortableConvenient opening for easy bathroom experience Machine washable and easy to cleanShop NowOn Vive Health's Website
If you’re looking to add a patient lift to your home for yourself or a loved one, consider the options below as a starting point for your search. Note: Prices are accurate as of the publication date.
This heavy-duty lift is extremely stable—exactly what’s needed when lifting individuals from the floor. A six-point, comfortable sling cradle offers more security for users without causing any unpleasant squeezing. Straightforward controls and LCD displays make the lift easy to manage, with extra built-in control redundancies to make sure the lift never becomes fully inoperable.
Medline’s Powered Base Patient Lift is an efficient and easy-to-use lift with plenty of features to ensure the comfort and safety of patients and operators alike. A straightforward battery charging system, removable battery and intuitive control panel makes running the lift a breeze. And if the battery dies unexpectedly, a built-in emergency release system ensures any patient can be lowered smoothly and without worry.
This lift has plenty of height range, making it useful for both floor lifts and access to high surfaces. The 4.5-inch-tall base can also be opened to a width of 74 inches, allowing it to accommodate wheelchairs while still fitting under most beds. Extra padding, clear emergency buttons and multiple levels of protection against accidents like sudden sling disengagement or boom entrapment make it a safe and reliable option for your lifting needs.
Patient lifts can be extremely helpful, but it’s vital for everyone’s safety to use them correctly, experts agree.
Consider these tips for using one at home.
Before using a patient lift, an operator should be professionally trained. Often, the medical supply company delivering your lift can show you how to use it. Otherwise, contact a local home health company to learn to operate the equipment safely at home. There are also YouTube videos to provide online access to tutorials or refresher courses.
As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) points out, patients can fall from lifts, causing injuries like head trauma and fractures and even death. For this reason, it’s important to receive training-and complete plenty of practice runs before operating a Hoyer lift.
Beyond training, the most important thing to know, “is that it should be operated by two or more people,” says Cugasi. “No one should do it by themselves.”
You also need to prepare an environment ahead of time: Remove clutter and make sure the space is clear, says Ware. You don’t want things to get in the way while the lift is in use.
Determining which sling is appropriate depends on factors like a person’s height, weight and hip measurement, according to the FDA. Caregiver preference and what’s comfortable for them is another important factor, says Ambrose. Common types of slings include:
Once the person to be lifted is safely secured in the sling, you’re ready to lift and lower. First, lift them 2 inches and do a quick safety check: Is their weight spread evenly between the straps so they won’t slide out?
Once the person’s weight you’re lifting is evenly distributed, slowly continue lifting, going only as high as necessary. Using gentle pressure, lower the patient toward the bed, wheelchair, toilet or other receiving surface, the FDA advises. Make sure the person”s body is in the correct position before you release their weight. When you release, don’t let the sling bar hit the person lifted.
Once the person is lowered, detach the sling, being careful not to hurt their skin.
Ware notes that caregivers should never lift someone from the floor. And it’s important that the person operating the lift is able to see the face of the person being lifted at all times. “They should never have their back to you,” she says.
Finally, throughout the entire process, comfort the person being lifted. “We’re telling them, ‘Don’t worry, you’re very safe, we’re here, we’ve got you,'” says Cugasi, “because some people, especially those with dementia, get very scared when they feel themselves lifted off the bed.”
If you want your private insurance company or Medicare to cover the cost of a Hoyer lift, you need a prescription from a doctor. Most people purchase or rent Hoyer lifts through a local medical supply store. There are also shops where you can buy refurbished devices at a lower cost, says Cugasi. Transport Stand Assist For Your Loved Ones Aid your loved one when rising and transferring from a bed, wheelchair, toilet or sofa with the stable support of the Vive transfer stand assist. Shop Now On Vive Health's Website
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Aid your loved one when rising and transferring from a bed, wheelchair, toilet or sofa with the stable support of the Vive transfer stand assist.
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Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tractor, but has learned that opportunity is where he finds it and discomfort is more interesting than complacency.
2 Inch Ratchet Straps Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.