Review of Bestcare Hoyer Lifts

Best Overhead Lift

Bestcare, known for its mobility assistance products, offers one of the most customizable overhead lift systems on the market. This track-based ceiling lift allows for full-room coverage without taking up floor space. Once settled in the sling for transfer, patients can be easily moved to anywhere the track allows. Bestcare also manufactures a range of active and manual floor lifts and has several sit-to-stand options that help those needing a stable place to grab and a little extra help while moving to a standing position. 

Bestcare’s ceiling lift is one of the best Hoyer lifts available for use in homes, institutions and hospitals. It requires professional installation, but the ease of use and convenience is worth the investment for disabled patients and their caregivers. 

Overview of Bestcare

Founded in 1993, Bestcare started producing mobility assistance devices in Norcross, Ga. Over time the company has expanded and partnered with Medline, another medical device manufacturer. In addition to Hoyer lifts, Bestcare focuses on all types of transfer aids, including items such as transfer sheets or slides, to help maneuver patients for better care. 

How Much Do Bestcare Hoyer Lifts Cost?

Bestcare’s manual Hoyer lifts start at just over $600, and power lifts typically range between $1,100 and $4,300. Ceiling lifts, which the company is most known for, can vary dramatically in price due to installation costs. The actual lift unit is fairly affordable at around $2,300, but option upgrades and the track system needed to use the lift can add thousands to the price. Once installed, these systems allow for a wide range of maneuvers. 

Manual unit prices are often determined by weight limits and the materials used for the device. For those seeking a simple, hydraulic lift with a moderate weight limit, the $600 price point is comparable to most brands. 

Full Review of Bestcare Hoyer Lift Features

Bestcare Hoyer lifts come in four basic categories: manual, powered, ceiling-mounted and sit-to-stand. All these assistive devices work well for patients with different levels of mobility challenges. 

Manual Floor Lifts

The basic PL400H manual floor lift from Bestcare makes it possible for a single caregiver to transfer a patient from bed to a seated position with minimal strain. It uses a hydraulic lift to hold the patient’s weight during the transfer and features low-to-the-ground legs for use near furniture. In most cases, the base slides under bed frames to allow for a more comfortable and stable pickup. Some of the most common features include: 

• A 400-pound weight limit
• A six-point sling for added comfort and support
• Sturdy steel construction

This unit can also be easily retrofitted to add a motor, turning this manual lift into a powered lift. 

Powered Floor Lifts

Powered floor lifts take a standard, manual hydraulic lift and add a motor to provide the operating force for the transfer. Some units come with handheld controls to start, stop and pause lifts. One of the biggest benefits of a powered lift is that most can accommodate a larger weight limit. Bestcare units typically work with: 

• Patients up to 500 pounds
• Slings with a six-point connection
• Steel frame construction

With a powered lift, a transfer that took more than 5 minutes manually might only take a few moments once the patient is loaded safely in the sling. 

Ceiling Lifts

Ceiling lifts are where Bestcare really excels. This brand offers one of the most customizable ceiling-mounted systems on the market. The track system used for transfers allows patients to move between rooms, in straight lines or using curves. The customization makes these systems ideal for home use when available and when installation is an option. In some cases, homes without the appropriate support systems may need major renovations to add ceiling-mounted lifts, but when installation is affordable, these lifts work for a wider variety of patients and dramatically reduce the load on caregivers. Features include:

• 600-pound weight limit
• Battery operation using lead-acid batteries
• 50 lifts of half a meter per 100 kilograms of weight per battery charge

Sit-to-Stand Models

The sit-to-stand models offered by Bestcare feature cushioned knee pads, rubber stoppers on the legs and other features designed to offer a steady grip to seniors. Most units work in compact spaces, making them a good choice in small bedrooms or crowded areas. The low leg height means these lifts slide right into position next to chairs or other furniture. 

Additional Features

The ceiling lift models have a wide range of options, including a handheld control box that’s rated to withstand water exposure. Since these units can work even when wet, they’re ideal for use in showers and bathrooms along with regular, daily transfers. 

Who Should Consider Lifts from Bestcare?

Disabled Seniors

Seniors with long-term disabilities who will need help getting out of bed for years to come get the most use out of a Bestcare Hoyer lift. Ceiling lifts are a particularly large investment but are most important for those who need long-term care. Many hospitals and nursing homes use these patient transfer systems to greatly reduce the strain on caregivers and provide an improved quality of life to patients.  

Older Caregivers

Not all caregivers are up to the physical challenges of helping a patient sit or stand. Older caregivers may be at particular risk of an injury. The right Hoyer lift from Bestcare can help minimize those risks and allow spouses to take on the role of caregiver. 

What Are People Saying About Bestcare?

Customers give Bestcare high marks for its Hoyer lifts, noting that the compact design of the floor models makes it easy to use them in fully furnished rooms. They mention that manual models are priced affordably and often come with the sling, which makes the unit fully functional on delivery. Several caregivers mentioned the sturdiness of the design and the ease of assembly and use. 

Some of the manual models require some additional movements during transfers, but the trade-off of a small footprint and affordable price point makes Bestcare Hoyer lifts a solid choice, according to most customers. 

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