What is the Difference between a Hoyer Lift and a Sit to Stand Lift?
Patient lifts can be very helpful in assisting caregivers to move a client or loved on from one place to another. They help reduce caregiver strain, improve safety, and reduce the risk of falls. Patient lifts can also improve the ability for someone to age safely in place in their home. There are many options available to help caregivers move their loved one or client from one place to another. Choosing the correct lift depends on the specific needs and abilities of the patient. This article goes through the options that are available, when someone requires additional assistance for lifting and transfers.
Patient lifts have two components, a sling that holds and supports the patient, and the lift device itself. The slings have different designs, depending on the functionality desired and design of the lift. Most lifts have the option of either mechanical or electric operation. For mechanical lifts, the patient is lifted when the caregiver operates a manual crank or level to raise and lower the patient. Most lifts are hydraulic to lower the effort required, but this does take some strength and endurance. Electric models are operated with a remote-control, but the caregiver is still responsible for maneuvering the lift about the home. To help decide if a manual or electric lift is correct for you, see our article on “What is the difference between a manual and electric patient lift?”
Sit to Stand Lifts
A sit to stand lift is a device that helps lift an individual into a supported, standing position to allow a caregiver to move them to their new seated surface. The patient is supported either by a sling that wraps around their back and waist, or by a pivoting seat that rotates underneath them. Sit to stand lifts are quite versatile, allowing for easy maneuverability to a variety of seated surfaces including chairs, wheelchairs, beds, toilets, and shower chairs. There are some guidelines to follow if you are considering using a sit to stand lift. To look more closely at the different types of sit to stand lifts available, please look at our article “What are the different types of sit to stand lifts?”
Patient Requirements:
The patient must be able to handle bearing full weight through both of their legs: They do not need to be able to stand independently, but there should be no weight bearing restrictions from recent hip or knee surgery. Patients may also have difficulty if their have chronic knee pain from advanced arthritis.
The patient must have trunk control: If the patient is unable to sit, unsupported in a chair or at the edge of the bed, a sit-to-stand lift may not be an ideal fit, as there is minimal support for trunk alignment.
The patient must be able to follow simple cues without agitation: If your patient or loved one has advanced dementia and is easily startled, a sit to stand may not be the best option. If a patient becomes combative or fearful and moves around a lot while in the lift, this may pose some safety risks.
Benefits:
Versatility: Sit to stands are a little more compact than other lift options, making them easier to maneuver.
Design: Because the sling only wraps around the waist and back, the lower body is unobstructed for self-care tasks. Caregivers are still able to assist with pulling pants up and down for bathing, dressing and toileting, as well as for completing hygiene.
Enables the Patient to Assist: If the patient can push through their legs, they can also assist in the transfer process, making them more involved in their care. They can stand on the platform, while being completely supported by the sling and device.
Limitations:
Sling Design: Given that the sling wraps around the patient like a belt, it tends to slide up their body as the patient is lifted. If the client is unable to help with the standing process, the sling can slide up under their arms and can be uncomfortable. The discomfort is temporary, but notable.
Not usable for all patient groups: If the patient has a progressive disease, the sit to stand lift may not be appropriate for use for the duration of their disease progression. If they are likely to have weakness that increases over time where trunk control may be affected, they may need to transition to a different type of lift later in the process.
Hoyer Lifts
A Hoyer lift is device that holds the patient in a hammock-type sling to lift them completely up and transfer them to a new surface. The sling covers the upper 2/3 of their body and comes in a variety of designs, depending on the function you are looking for. For assistance with choosing a sling, see our article on “How to choose the correct Hoyer lift sling.” A Hoyer lift can be used to transfer a person in and out of bed and can also be used for recliners, wheelchairs, shower chairs and bedside commodes. Because of the hammock-style sling design, patients have greater trunk and postural support while in the device, however functions that can be completed in the lift are slightly more limited.
Patient Requirements:
None: Almost any patient can be moved using a Hoyer lift as their body is fully supported by the sling for safety and comfort. Hoyer lifts and slings can accommodate patients of all sizes and ages.
Benefits:
Increased postural support: The safety hazards are minimal when using a hoyer lift, as the patient is fully supported in the sling.
Longevity: Because there are no physical requirements for a patient to be able to use a Hoyer lift, this device can be useful for the lifespan of the patient, even if their diagnosis or disease is progressive in nature.
Limitations:
Maneuverability: Hoyer lifts (especially electric ones) tend to be a little larger in nature, which can make them more difficult to maneuver, especially when being used on a carpeted floor.
Functionality for Self-Care: Due to design of the sling, the lower body is harder to access for self-care tasks, including bathing and toileting. There are slings that have an option for a hygiene cutout, however a patient must be put in bed first, to remove their pants, before being transferred to the toilet. There is not a way to pull down pants while someone is in the sling unless they are able to stand, briefly. This lengthens the process and may be difficulty for patients who have difficulties with bowel or bladder urgency. There are slings that are designed specifically for toileting, but may not be suitable for every-day use.
Space: If the area where you need to use the lift is small, or crowded, there may be inadequate space to use it.
Will my insurance cover a lift?
Great question! Medicare will cover the cost of a manual (non-electric) Hoyer lift, if the patient meets certain criteria. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of the lift and the patient will be responsible for the remaining 20% unless they have a secondary insurance policy. Medicare does not cover full electric lifts, or sit to stand lifts, but families can choose to upgrade to these models and pay the difference in cost. If you only need the lift for a short period of time, you also have the option to rent a lift. This is helpful for people who are recovering from an injury that is expected to resolve in a shorter timeframe. For more detailed information, please see our blog on “Does Medicare Pay for a Patient Lift?”
Have Questions?
If you have questions about whether a mechanical lift will benefit you or your loved one, how to choose one, or how to go through the process of obtaining one, please do not hesitate to ask the professionals! Certified occupational specially trained to assess both the physical needs of a patient, as well as their home environment to choose the right fit. Therapy evaluations are covered by insurances, in most cases, and can ensure that you get the lift that will best meet your mobility needs. For more information on specific lift types, please see our posts on, “What are the Different Types of Hoyer Lifts?” and “What are the Different Types of Sit to Stand Lifts?”, and “Does Insurance Cover Patient Lifts?”. 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 view our selection of video training courses for comprehensive training, or focussed mini-courses on the use of Hoyer Lifts or Sit-to-Stand lifts.
Also, feel free to check out our YouTube video on “How to Choose Between a Hoyer and a Sit-To-Stand,” or check our the Patient Lift Series playlist on our YouTube Chanel, “The Home Care OT.”
Resources:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/patient-lifts
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?LCDId=33799
This course provides you with all the information that you need to safely and effectively use a hoyer lift in the home. This course includes 40 minutes of comprehensive video instruction along with electronic access to the 20-page PDF guide. This course will teach you how to properly position and adjust a hoyer lift sling at bed and chair level, how to determine the loop setting, and how to complete safe, smooth transfers to the bed, wheelchair, recliner, and bedside commode.
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.
