Using a Hoyer Lift For Seniors At Home ( The Ultimate Guide ) – Senior Home Care HQ
What is a Hoyer Lift?
A Hoyer lift is a substantial piece of durable medical equipment (DME) designed to assist individuals with severely restricted mobility. Named after its inventor, Ted Hoyer, the term “Lift” encompasses various lifting frames available from medical equipment suppliers. These lifts can be manually operated, hydraulic, or electric, significantly reducing strain on caregivers’ backs and joints.
What Is A Hoyer Lift Used For?
The primary purpose of a Hoyer lift is to aid patients across different stages of life with functional transfers when they are unable to do so independently. Conditions such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, lower extremity amputations, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can severely limit a person’s ability to stand or move safely.
To use a Hoyer lift, a sling is placed under the patient while they are lying or sitting down. The sling is then attached to the metal frame, allowing the operator to lift the patient using a manual or electric control. This enables easy transfers to chairs, beds, toilets, showers, and other surfaces at the touch of a button.
When Should a Hoyer Lift Be Used?
The decision to use a Hoyer lift depends on the type of lift and the patient’s specific needs. Generally, a Hoyer lift is recommended for patients who are primarily bed-ridden and require maximum to total assistance for all transfers. If a patient cannot bear most or all of their body weight through their legs, a traditional Hoyer lift with a full body sling is appropriate. Conversely, if the patient can bear weight but struggles to lift their feet to shuffle or walk, a standing lift may be beneficial.
What Kinds of Hoyer Lifts Are Available?
Since the introduction of the first full-body lift over 50 years ago, Hoyer and similar companies have developed a variety of lifts to meet diverse patient needs:
Classic Hoyer Hydraulic Lift:
This lift is operated via a pumping or cranking lever and is designed to hold a full-body sling at multiple points.
Classic Hoyer Electric Lift:
Similar to hydraulic lifts, but the sling can be lifted and lowered using a one-touch remote control.
Stand-Up Lift:
These lifts can be manually or electrically operated and are intended to assist the patient into a standing position for transfers to various surfaces.
Ceiling Lift:
A ceiling lift features a lightweight control and motor system connected to a track system, allowing the user to move across the room or between rooms while in the sling.
Many slings can be paired with different frames, but some slings are designed with a specific number of pull loops to match the available hooks on the frame (e.g., two-point slings for two hooks, four-point slings for four hooks). More loops on a sling can provide additional support for heavier patients.
Can a Hoyer Lift Be Used By One Person?
Hydraulic and electric lifts are designed for easy operation by a single person using a control or lever system. However, getting the sling positioned under the patient may require assistance. It is advisable to have an extra person available in case of emergencies, such as sling slippage or lift malfunctions.
How Much Does a Hoyer Lift Cost?
The cost of Hoyer lifts varies based on type (power, manual, standing, ceiling, etc.), ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 without insurance coverage. This price typically refers to the lift frame alone, while slings can add several hundred dollars to the total cost.
Will Medicare/Medicaid Cover the Cost of a Hoyer Lift?
Medicare offers partial coverage for manually-operated lifts but not for electric ones. Patients seeking coverage must obtain a prescription from their physician and purchase (or rent) a lift from a Medicare-accepting provider. Hoyer lifts are classified as “durable medical equipment,” which Medicare partially covers (up to 80%) under the Medicare B supplemental plan, subject to a deductible.
Medicaid coverage varies by state, as it is state-mandated. With a physician’s prescription, patients may qualify for partial coverage for a lift.
What Are The Overall Benefits of Having a Hoyer Lift?
Hoyer lifts offer numerous advantages for both patients and caregivers:
Lower Risk for Falls and Accidents:
While human error cannot be entirely eliminated, Hoyer lifts significantly reduce the risk of falls during transfers. Proper sling placement and safe lift operation enable caregivers to assist patients with nearly all functional transfers, minimizing slips and accidents.
Reduced Risk for Bodily Injury:
Caregivers, whether family members or professionals, can lower their risk of injury that often accumulates from repeated transfers over time, such as joint pain, lower back issues, and other musculoskeletal problems.
What is a Hoyer Lift?
A Hoyer lift is a substantial piece of durable medical equipment (DME) designed to assist individuals with severely restricted mobility. Named after its inventor, Ted Hoyer, the term “Lift” encompasses various lifting frames available from medical equipment suppliers. These lifts can be manually operated, hydraulic, or electric, significantly reducing strain on caregivers’ backs and joints.
What Is A Hoyer Lift Used For?
The primary purpose of a Hoyer lift is to aid patients across different stages of life with functional transfers when they are unable to do so independently. Conditions such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, lower extremity amputations, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can severely limit a person’s ability to stand or move safely.
To use a Hoyer lift, a sling is placed under the patient while they are lying or sitting down. The sling is then attached to the metal frame, allowing the operator to lift the patient using a manual or electric control. This enables easy transfers to chairs, beds, toilets, showers, and other surfaces at the touch of a button.
When Should a Hoyer Lift Be Used?
The decision to use a Hoyer lift depends on the type of lift and the patient’s specific needs. Generally, a Hoyer lift is recommended for patients who are primarily bed-ridden and require maximum to total assistance for all transfers. If a patient cannot bear most or all of their body weight through their legs, a traditional Hoyer lift with a full body sling is appropriate. Conversely, if the patient can bear weight but struggles to lift their feet to shuffle or walk, a standing lift may be beneficial.
What Kinds of Hoyer Lifts Are Available?
Since the introduction of the first full-body lift over 50 years ago, Hoyer and similar companies have developed a variety of lifts to meet diverse patient needs:
Classic Hoyer Hydraulic Lift:
This lift is operated via a pumping or cranking lever and is designed to hold a full-body sling at multiple points.
Classic Hoyer Electric Lift:
Similar to hydraulic lifts, but the sling can be lifted and lowered using a one-touch remote control.
Stand-Up Lift:
These lifts can be manually or electrically operated and are intended to assist the patient into a standing position for transfers to various surfaces.
Ceiling Lift:
A ceiling lift features a lightweight control and motor system connected to a track system, allowing the user to move across the room or between rooms while in the sling.
Many slings can be paired with different frames, but some slings are designed with a specific number of pull loops to match the available hooks on the frame (e.g., two-point slings for two hooks, four-point slings for four hooks). More loops on a sling can provide additional support for heavier patients.
Can a Hoyer Lift Be Used By One Person?
Hydraulic and electric lifts are designed for easy operation by a single person using a control or lever system. However, getting the sling positioned under the patient may require assistance. It is advisable to have an extra person available in case of emergencies, such as sling slippage or lift malfunctions.
How Much Does a Hoyer Lift Cost?
The cost of Hoyer lifts varies based on type (power, manual, standing, ceiling, etc.), ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 without insurance coverage. This price typically refers to the lift frame alone, while slings can add several hundred dollars to the total cost.
Will Medicare/Medicaid Cover the Cost of a Hoyer Lift?
Medicare offers partial coverage for manually-operated lifts but not for electric ones. Patients seeking coverage must obtain a prescription from their physician and purchase (or rent) a lift from a Medicare-accepting provider. Hoyer lifts are classified as “durable medical equipment,” which Medicare partially covers (up to 80%) under the Medicare B supplemental plan, subject to a deductible.
Medicaid coverage varies by state, as it is state-mandated. With a physician’s prescription, patients may qualify for partial coverage for a lift.
What Are The Overall Benefits of Having a Hoyer Lift?
Hoyer lifts offer numerous advantages for both patients and caregivers:
Lower Risk for Falls and Accidents:
While human error cannot be entirely eliminated, Hoyer lifts significantly reduce the risk of falls during transfers. Proper sling placement and safe lift operation enable caregivers to assist patients with nearly all functional transfers, minimizing slips and accidents.
Reduced Risk for Bodily Injury:
Caregivers, whether family members or professionals, can lower their risk of injury that often accumulates from repeated transfers over time, such as joint pain, lower back issues, and other musculoskeletal problems.
