What is a Sit-to-Stand Lift?
Sit-to-stand lifts are excellent resources to help move a loved one from one surface to another who may not quite have the strength to stand safely on their own. They also reduce the burden on the caregivers by removing the need to physically lift or move someone. They allow the patient to have some control during the transfer and allow them to continue to use and activate their leg muscle to maximize independence. They operate by use of a sling that wraps around their back and hooks onto two loops in the front of the device. Their feet rest on a footplate, and a padded knee guard provides leverage to prevent them from sliding forward during the lift.
Sit-to-stand lifts are a great fit for patients who:
Have some strength in their legs, but not enough to stand safety for self-care tasks
Have adequate core strength to sit on the edge of the bed or toilet without help
Can safely follow instructions while in the lift device
Sit-to-stand lifts are not ideal for patients who:
Have significant knee pain
Cannot tolerate bearing weight through their legs
Have active fractures or injuries in their legs
Have poor trunk strength and/or head and neck control
Are note able to follow instructions, or who are easily agitated
For those who do not meet the criteria for a sit-to-stand lift, a Hoyer lift would be a more ideal option. Please see our posts on “What are the Different types of Hoyer Lifts?”, “What is the Difference Between a Manual and Electric Patient Lift?”, and “What is the Difference between a Hoyer Lift and a Sit to Stand Lift?”.
For a demo on how they are used, check out our YouTube demo here.
There are a few options available in the world of sit-to-stand lifts.
Manual Sit-To-Stand Lifts:
There are two types of manual lifts available for sit-to-stand devices.
Lever-Operated Lifts: These lifts operate by the caregiver pulling a lever to manually lift the patient up into a standing position. This requires some strength from the caregiver, but the hydraulic system helps with the process. To lower the patient, the caregiver releases a lever to slowly lower them down.
Stand-Assist Lifts: These lifts require some strength from the patient. The patient places their feet on the footplate and reaches forward to hold onto the support handles. The patient pulls up into a partial-standing position. While standing, the caregiver turns two rotating pads underneath their bottom, allowing them to sit down during the transfer. To sit, they pull back up into a stand or partial stand, while the caregiver removes the pads and guides them to sit down on the bed, chair, or toilet. To use this type of lift, the patient must have adequate leg and arm strength to pull up into a partial stand and hold that position for a few seconds. Because there are no hydraulics, these lifts are more compact, lightweight, and easier to maneuver than the other models.
Power Sit-to-Stand Lifts
These lifts function in the same manner as lever-operated lifts, but they use electricity for power. The patient is lifted into a stand using a remote control, reducing the effort needed from both the patient and the caregiver. These lifts are easy to operate and offer a smooth ride for the patient without the stopping and starting felt by the manual lever. Powered lifts are heavier in nature, however, which can make them harder to steer and maneuver, especially on carpeted floors.
If you have questions about selecting a lift device, you can request a home assessment from an occupational therapist who will be able to help you decide which device will best meet the needs of you, your loved one, and your home. For questions about insurance coverage, see our post on “Does Insurance Pay for Patient Lifts?”. Also feel free to check out our publication A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving for a comprehensive guide on mechanical lifts, transfer techniques, and proving safe care in the home. Also, feel free to check out our full Sit-to-Stand video training course for detailed video instruction.
You can also view our the Patient Lift Series on our YouTube Chanel, “The Home Care OT.”
All images used with permission from Arjo and SpanAmerica.
This course provides you with all the information that you need to safely and effectively use a sit-to-stand lift in the home. This course includes 18 minutes of comprehensive video instruction along with electronic access to the 15-page PDF guide. This course will teach you how to properly position and adjust a sit-to-stand lift sling, how to determine the sling loop setting, and how to complete safe, smooth transfers to the bed, wheelchair, recliner, and bedside commode.
This is your comprehensive guide to giving you with the skills you need to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to family members, friends or clients in the home. This course includes 6 hours of instructional video covering client basic adaptive equipment, functional mobility, lifting techniques, transfers, self-care skills, bed level care, use of client lifts and transfer devices, and managing falls. Click "Preview Caregiver Course" below to preview the lessons and descriptions.
A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving
The book includes 170 pages of full-color, step-by step instructions, to provide you with all the skills you need to provide safe, thorough, and compassionate care at home.
