Patient lifts are ideal for disabled or individuals with health conditions who cannot move on their own and require the assistance of a caregiver. They facilitate the caregiver’s task and provide the patient with a quality life.
Selecting a patient lift may be confusing with various types and categories on the market. Continue reading for the comprehensive guide to patient lifts to help pick a patient lift for yourself or a loved one.
Key Takeaway
- Patient lifts serve the purpose of enabling caregivers to lift and move patients from one location to another
- There are multiple categories of patient lifts
- Asking questions about the purpose, pricing, warranty, weight capacity, and height can save you from bringing home the wrong patient lift
Who Are Patient Lifts For?
Patient lifts were developed to make it easier for caregivers to raise and move patients from one location to the next — from a chair to a bed or from a bed to the washroom. Even though they have very distinct functions, many people think that patient lifts and stairway chairs or elevators are the same. Wheelchair lifts come in two main categories: manual and powered.
You can use power wheelchairs manually or via a power supply, whereas manual patient lifts must be operated manually. The powered types often need to be fueled by a rechargeable battery, while the manual ones need to be powered by hydraulics. Here are some of the fundamental parts of a patient lift:
- Boom
- Mast
- Spreader bar
- Sling
- Latches or clips
What Are The Different Types Of Patient Lifts?
Patient lift manufacturers have developed many categories of patient lifts to suit various purposes and assist patients and caregivers in easy mobility in different settings. Here are several categories of patient lifts, along with suggestions of patient lifts from each category, to help you with your research.
Manual Patient Lifts
Power Patient Lifts
Stand Up Patient Lifts
Pool Lifts
Overhead Patient Lifts
Bath Lifts
Questions To Ask Before Purchasing A Patient Lift?
Even though there are many choices in the market, not every patient lift is ideal for you. For example, if you want a lift for the bath but you end up ordering a pool lift thinking it would serve the same purpose, your entire investment may go to waste.
Here are a few questions you must ask before finalizing a patient lift to ensure you get the best one for your needs:
- What is my budget?
- What purpose do I want the patient lift for?
- Will the patient lift accommodate my weight?
- How high does the patient lift go?
- Does the patient lift come with a warranty?
- Do I want a battery-powered or a manual patient lift?