Understanding the Three Main Types of Mechanical Lifts
Mechanical lifts, often referred to as Hoyer lifts, are devices designed to help caregivers move a person from a sitting to standing position and from one place to another within a room or house. There are three main types of mechanical lifts: passive floor lifts, overhead lifts, and active sit-to-stand lifts.
When deciding if a mechanical lift is needed or a good investment, cost is frequently a consideration. These devices can be expensive, but the price can vary significantly depending on the type of lift. In fact, costs can range from about $350 for manual passive lifts to over $12,000 for more complex power lifts.
Some individuals may be able to have at least a portion of the cost covered under Medicare as durable medical equipment (DME). Additionally, it’s worthwhile to compare the upfront cost against the potential benefits of owning a lift.
When a mechanical lift is used to transfer a person to different locations within their home, they’re likely to experience an improved quality of life. The increased safety of using a lift, along with the reduced physical strain it provides, could also lower the risk of injuries to both the individual and their caregiver.
This guide provides an overview of the three main types of lifts, more detailed descriptions of each one and the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Overview of the Three Main Types of Mechanical Lifts
The three main types of mechanical lifts each have some unique and similar features, and it can be difficult to keep all the details straight. This table shows the main features of each type of mechanical lift to make comparing the options easier.
Passive Lift
Overhead Lift
Active Lift
Also Known As
Floor lift, Hoyer lift, patient lift
Ceiling lift, freestanding overhead lift
Sit-to-stand lift
Power Type(s)
Manual (hydraulic) and power (battery or electric)
Battery or electric
Manual (hydraulic) and power (battery or electric)
Main Function
To move a person in and out of bed or another type of furniture, on or off a commode or from one room to another
To move a person via a sling and motorized track in and out of bed, on or off the commode, or from one room to another
To allow a person with some leg strength/functioning to get into or out of a seat or on or off the commode
Range of movement
Moves a person up, down and side-to-side
Moves a person up, down and side-to-side; ceiling lifts may allow an individual to move around one room only, while freestanding overhead lifts may move from room to room
Moves a person up, down and side-to-side
Design
A U-shaped base supporting a pole that has an overhead horizontal arm with a cradle or spreader bar with hooks and a suspended sling
Includes a track system that can be freestanding (designed to arch over bed/furniture) or attached to the ceiling
Features a belt that wraps around the user's midsection; the individual remains somewhat vertical by placing their feet on a footrest and knees on knee pads.
Approximate Price Range
From $360 for manual/hydraulic lifts to $7,200 for power lifts
From $2,600, with an average installation cost of $8,000
From $800 for manual active lifts to $1,500 - $12,000 or more for power active lifts
Passive Floor Lifts
Passive floor lifts are freestanding and often referred to as patient lifts or Hoyer lifts. This type of lift is designed with a U-shaped base, a vertical pole and a mechanical arm that extends horizontally from the top of the pole. The end of this arm has a cradle or spreader bar with hooks for a full-body sling, which is required to safely hold a person while using the lift.
Floor lifts are available in a variety of models at different prices. Some are operated manually using a hydraulic hand pump, while others are powered by a battery or electrical cord that plugs into a household outlet.
Passive mechanical floor lifts:
- Are usually equipped with wheels to easily move a person from one room to another
- Can move a person up and down or side to side
- Can hold a range of weights depending on the design
- May be operated manually or powered by a battery or electricity
- Require the use of a sling, which may be included
- Don’t require a ceiling track
- Are typically much easier to assemble than overhead lifts
Overhead Lifts
There are two main categories of this type of lift: ceiling overhead lifts and freestanding overhead lifts.
Ceiling Overhead Lifts
Ceiling lifts require having a track installed on the ceiling, either in one room or multiple rooms in a home. The average cost to install a ceiling track is approximately $8,000.
Freestanding Overhead Lifts
Freestanding overhead lifts also use a motorized track, but the track is part of the lift’s design that arches over an individual’s bed or other type of furniture. Because these lifts aren’t attached to the ceiling, they’re often equipped with wheels so they can be moved from one room to another.
Overhead lifts:
- Are designed to move a person up, down and side-to-side using a sling suspended by a cable from an overhead motorized track
- May hold more weight than other types of mechanical lifts
Active Sit-to-Stand Lifts
Active lifts differ from both passive floor lifts and overhead lifts in that they require some work from the user. They’re designed to pull a person who has some mobility and strength from a seated position into an upward “transfer” position.
Sit-to-stand lifts allow a person to experience more independence by helping them stand with the support of the device. These lifts feature a lower platform that serves as a footrest and knee pads that serve as knee rests, and the individual leans into a large, supportive band that surrounds their torso.
To use an active lift, a person must be able to:
- Sit independently on the edge of a bed or chair
- Grip the handlebars
- Bend their knees
Additionally, the individual must have:
- The ability to support some degree of pressure on their legs
- Sufficient upper body strength to support their neck and back
FAQs
A mechanical Hoyer lift uses hydraulic-powered machinery and a sling or other supports combined with caregiver assistance to lift and move a person with impaired mobility.
A Hoyer lift is used to lift and transport people who can’t safely walk or put weight on either leg. The lift frees caregivers from having to physically support a person’s weight when moving them from one location to another. Depending on the type of lift, it may be used to move someone in and out of bed, up and down from the floor, in and out of the bathroom or from one room to another.
Hoyer lifts are also used to reduce the number of caregivers a person needs at any one time, to give the individual more autonomy and mobility, and to reduce the risk of injury to the user and their caregiver.
A manual hydraulic lift requires a caregiver to manually control the lift’s functioning with their hand by repeatedly pushing a lever.
Unlike manual lifts, power lifts are operated via electricity or a battery and are sometimes equipped with a remote control. Although they’re often more costly to purchase, they’re typically easier for a caregiver to use and may offer a smoother experience for the person requiring assistance.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a Hoyer lift, including:
• The price and whether Medicare coverage is an option
• The user’s physical abilities
• Sling styles, sizes and whether the lift comes with a sling
• How much weight the lift can safely support
• The size of the lift and its ease of movement
• Installation and its cost
• Whether the lift has features such as locking wheels, a remote control or a foot pedal system
The best kind of Hoyer lift depends on the unique needs of the user and their caregiver(s). This is because the various types of lifts offer different functionality and features as well as cost. It’s often helpful to work with a doctor or other experienced medical professional to determine which Hoyer lift is best.