How to Choose the Right Patient Lifting Equipment for Home Care

‍

Key Takeaways

Selecting the right patient lifting equipment requires careful assessment and planning to ensure safety, dignity, and independence in home care settings.

• Professional assessment by physiotherapists or occupational therapists determines the most suitable equipment based on mobility needs and weight-bearing capacity
• Choosing between manual and powered lifters depends on the person’s needs, the frequency of transfers and the carer’s physical capacity
• The home environment plays a key role, including space, flooring and access around key areas
• Regular equipment checks, correct use and appropriate training help maintain safe transfer practices
• Equipment should support the person’s comfort and involvement while fitting the home layout and long-term care requirements
• Integrated systems such as Behn provide an alternative to using multiple separate pieces of equipment

The right lifting equipment transforms daily transfers into safe, smooth experiences that promote independence while protecting both patients and carers from injury.

‍

Understanding Patient Lifting Needs

A proper assessment is essential before selecting any patient lifting equipment. The purpose is to understand how much the person can safely contribute during transfers, including whether they can take some of their own weight with assistance or require a full mechanical lift.

A comprehensive mobility or manual handling assessment typically considers:

• • The person’s level of weight-bearing and ability to maintain standing with support
• Upper-body strength and balance for safe sitting, pivoting or reaching
• Cognitive ability to follow instructions and participate safely
• Physical characteristics such as height, weight and general mobility history
• Clinical factors such as pain, wounds, recent surgeries, tubes or a history of falls
• The home environment including space, flooring, access and equipment placement

Australian regulators, including Safe Work Australia and the NDIS Commission, advise that mechanical aids such as hoists and transfer equipment can help reduce the physical demands of lifting and supporting people when used correctly.

Mobility and handling plans should be reviewed regularly. This typically occurs every twelve months or sooner if the person’s needs or environment change.

Types of Patient Lifting Equipment for Home Use

Patient lifting equipment is available in several categories, each designed for different mobility levels and home environments.

Manual Floor Hoists (Hydraulic Lifters)

Manual floor hoists use a hydraulic pump operated by the carer. They are commonly used for full lifts with a sling and require physical effort from the carer.

Electric Floor Hoists (Powered Lifters)

Electric floor hoists are powered by a rechargeable battery and provide assisted lifting with minimal physical effort. They use a full-body sling and are often chosen when transfers occur frequently throughout the day.

Ceiling Hoists

Ceiling hoists run on a track mounted overhead and free up floor space. They provide consistent lifting paths within or between rooms. Installation requires a structural assessment. Portable gantry hoists offer a non-permanent alternative where ceiling mounting is not appropriate.

Sit to Stand Lifters

Sit to stand lifters are suited to people who can take some of their own weight and need support to rise from a seated position. They encourage functional movement but are not suitable for people who cannot weight-bear.

Portable or Compact Hoists

Portable or compact hoists include foldable, travel or lightweight models designed for small homes or easy transport.

Bathroom and Hygiene Lifts

Bathroom-specific lifting devices support transfers in wet areas such as showers and over toilets. These may include hygiene chairs, tilt-in-space shower chairs or devices designed to support stable positioning on slippery surfaces.

Fall Recovery and Floor Lift Devices

Fall recovery devices assist with safely raising a person from the floor after a non-injurious fall. Some devices use inflatable cushions to elevate the person gradually, while others are mechanical floor lifts suitable for home use.

Slings

Slings are essential for safe lifting. Types include general purpose slings, hygiene slings, pivot slings, bariatric options, amputee slings and standing slings for sit to stand devices. Sling selection depends on body shape, mobility needs and the lifting device being used.

Integrated Systems

Integrated systems combine several care functions such as lifting, seated positioning and hygiene access into one powered unit. These systems reduce the number of separate devices needed in the home. Behn is an example of an integrated system that provides assisted transitions between lying, seated and bathroom positions within a single piece of equipment.

‍

Where Behn Fits in the Patient Lifting Landscape

Traditional home care can involve using several separate pieces of equipment such as mobile hoists, shower commodes, wheelchairs, transfer boards, slide sheets and slings. Managing multiple items can add complexity to daily routines, particularly in small or busy home environments.

Behn is designed as an integrated system that brings several daily care functions into one unit. It provides a single piece of equipment that:

• Lifts and positions the person using powered mechanisms
• Supports movement between lying, seated and bathroom positions within the device
• Functions as a seated chair for daytime use
• Provides a supported position for showering and hygiene care
• Allows a carer to operate the system through powered controls
• Reduces the number of separate devices required in the home

Because the system combines several functions, some households may find that it reduces the need to manoeuvre or store multiple pieces of equipment. In homes with limited space, an integrated system may offer a more streamlined way to support daily care tasks.

As with all assistive technology, suitability depends on the person’s mobility needs, the home environment and clinical considerations. An occupational therapist or qualified assessor can help determine whether Behn or any other lifting or transfer equipment is appropriate for the individual’s circumstances.

Home Environment and Safety Considerations

A safe environment supports effective and predictable use of lifting equipment.

Key considerations include:

• Ensuring there is adequate space to position and manoeuvre floor hoists
• Checking flooring surfaces for suitability, particularly around beds, bathrooms and toilets
• Confirming doorway widths and furniture placement allow equipment to move safely
• Carrying out structural checks where ceiling hoists are considered
• Positioning equipment at appropriate heights to support smooth transfers
• Maintaining clear pathways to reduce tripping or stability risks

Routine checks help keep equipment in good working order. This may include inspecting slings, cleaning frames, checking attachments and following manufacturer maintenance schedules. Carer training supports safe equipment use and helps reduce the physical demands of daily transfers.

‍

Final thoughts

Choosing the right patient lifting equipment starts with understanding the person’s mobility, care needs and home environment. With appropriate assessment and suitable equipment, daily transfers become safer and more manageable for both the person and their carers.

Traditional lifting devices like manual hoists, electric hoists and sit to stand lifters remain essential in many home environments. Integrated systems such as Behn provide an alternative option for households that prefer a single device to support lifting, seated positioning and hygiene-related activities.

Occupational therapists and qualified assessors can provide guidance on which equipment is most appropriate for the individual’s needs, ensuring safety, comfort and long-term suitability.