How Much Does a Hoyer Lift Cost?
For patients and caregivers thinking about investing in a Hoyer Lift, cost is almost certainly a factor in determining which lift you choose. Hoyer Lifts—or patient lifts—vary significantly in price depending on the medical needs of the patient and the features they require.
Hoyer lifts are designed to transfer patients between two surfaces, for example from their bed to another surface such as a wheelchair or couch. As a general rule, Hoyer lifts cost anywhere from $400 to $15,000 or more depending on the model, brand, and whether a specialized lift is needed.
What Is a Hoyer Lift?
A Hoyer lift is a specialized piece of durable medical equipment that helps patients' caregivers move them from place to place within the home or a care facility. Patients with a wide range of medical conditions can benefit from the help of a Hoyer lift. However, they tend to be used most for patients who are bedbound or who rely on mobility devices as a result of their condition.
For example, Hoyer lifts can be helpful for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, cases of advanced dementia, or any other type of condition that renders the patient unable to bear their own weight. For some patients, having access to a Hoyer lift can be the difference between being able to stay at home or being transferred to a care facility.
Please note: The “Hoyer lift” is so named because Hoyer is one the most well-known manufacturers of patient lifts. However, the information in this article pertains to patient lifts in general—not only to those produced by the Hoyer brand. In our Denver, Colorado showroom, we stock patient lifts to accommodate all your mobility needs.
Which Factors Affect the Price of a Hoyer Lift?
The price of a patient lift is largely dependent on the features and technology it has. This can vary greatly from simpler manual models to heavy-duty electric models.
Manual Hoyer Lift
As a rule of thumb, customers can expect to pay between $400 and $900 for manual Hoyer lifts, though some models may cost more. Manual lifts—also known as hydraulic lifts—raise the patient with the use of a hand-operated hydraulic pump. These types of lifts are easy to use but are more suited for occasional rather than everyday use as they require more manipulation than electric lifts.
Electric Hoyer Lifts
An electric Hoyer lift, sometimes called a power lift, may make a patient transfer smoother. Electric lifts have the advantage of being powered by rechargeable batteries or electricity from a power outlet and are operated with a remote control.
Electronic lifts ease the work of the caregiver and may help the patient feel more comfortable. Electric lifts may be more suited to people who need a mobility aid to walk because they will be used on a regular basis. You can generally find electric patient lifts for $3,000 or less, though advanced models may cost more.
Ceiling Lifts
These are a specific type of electric lift that raises and moves a person from A to B along an overhead track fixed to the ceiling. Other ceiling lift models are portable. In both cases, a sling is used to transfer the patient. Ceiling lifts are more commonly seen in hospital settings but can also be installed at home. For example, a ceiling lift can help with transferring a patient between the bed and the bathroom.
Costs involve the price of the lift itself as well as the installation. Ceiling lifts typically cost between $4,000 and $8,000 though that sum may go up to around $12,000 for an X-Y track system with more advanced features.
Sit-to-Stand Hoyer Lifts
This type of lift helps patients pull themselves up from a sitting to a standing position. Though this can be useful to help people keep their dignity in the bathroom, or simply get up off the bed or sofa, these lifts are only suitable for people who can sit unassisted and bear some of their own weight.
A sit-to-stand lift will generally cost around $400 to $1,000, but this can vary greatly depending on the features it has.
Bariatric Models
Bariatric patient lifts work in much the same way as electric lifts but are specially designed to be able to move patients who are above average weight. The price varies depending on the lift’s weight capacity and any other features it has.
Prices can vary from anywhere between $1,500 and $7,500, though models designed for extremely heavy patients can cost significantly more.
Type of Sling Selected
The sling is a vital part of a patient lift since it is what the patient sits in while being transferred. Slings usually have a four-point or a six-point cradle and range from around $100 to $400.
Why Invest in a Hoyer Lift?
There are several reasons some families may wish to invest in a Hoyer lift. They offer advantages for both the caregiver and the patient.
Advantages for the Caregiver:
A Hoyer lift improves musculoskeletal comfort in caregivers’ shoulders, lower back, and knees. It can also reduce neck, back, and shoulder injuries caused by lifting and moving patients manually.
Helping somebody move around requires a lot of strength and energy that many people simply don't have. A patient lift helps the caregiver help the patient.
Advantages for the Patient:
Patient lifts offer patients more freedom to move around with dignity.
Patient lifts allow many patients to receive care at home rather than being transferred to a care facility.
Other Things to Know Before Purchasing a Hoyer Lift
The caregiver must be professionally trained to operate a patient lift to ensure their own safety and that of the patient. Because patients can potentially fall out of a lift and sustain an injury, caregivers must understand exactly how to transfer the patient safely.
The lift must be used in a clear space to make sure clutter doesn't get in the way of its smooth running. Hoyer lifts are also safest when operated by at least two people for increased control.
The FDA provides guidelines on which type of sling to use. This largely depends on its weight capacity as well as the patient's height and hip measurements. Because the caregiver is the one in charge of the lift, their physical strength and personal preferences should also be taken into account.
Hoyer Lift Rentals Are an Option
If you are unsure about which model or brand to choose, patient lift rental can be an excellent solution. Renting can be advantageous for short-term use or for trying different models.
Patient Lifts Can Extend People's Time at Home
Staying at home for as long as possible is an important concern for many people as they get older or learn to live with medical conditions. Hoyer lifts can help many of these people stay in their own homes with their loved ones for longer.
Though patient lifts are designed with the patient in mind, their caregivers also benefit tremendously by being less at risk of injury as a result of moving the patient. The right lift, with the proper training in its use, is well worth the cost.