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Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Mobility challenges, especially as we age, can greatly impact our well-being. The ability to stand upright, even for short periods, can affect how we feel physically and mentally.
If you have some mobility and can bear some bodyweight, but are lacking the strength or muscle control to rise from a bed, chair, or commode on your own, a standing lift can help you safely and comfortably get to a standing position and transfer locations.
A sit-to-stand lift can help you reach a natural standing posture, develop balance and strength, improve range of motion, decrease muscle spasms and contractures, alleviate pain and risk of pressure sores from spending too long in one position, and decrease your fall risk.
If you can lift and support yourself, but lack the leg strength to transfer from a wheelchair to a standing position, the manual Stand Assist Patient Transport by Lumex at #5 on our list gives you the chance to pull yourself up and practice standing.
You’ll be actively engaged with the transfer process, placing your knees on the comfortable knee pads and, grasping the middle bar, pulling yourself into a standing position. A caregiver can smoothly roll you where you want to be seated next. This lift has a padded split seat that swings out for onboarding and offloading and swings back into position as a stable seat for transport. The Stand Assist Patient Transport weighs a comparatively light 61 pounds, and it can accommodate users weighing up to 400 pounds.
A convenient alternative to a wheelchair for toileting and other personal care activities, this stable lift fits easily through even narrow doorways.
Like most manual models, this sit-to-stand lift is for users who can lift themselves and support their weight, but who may be lacking the leg strength to stand on their own. If you can rely on, and want to maintain, your upper body strength and muscle mass, this lift is a good investment. You and your caregiver will also appreciate the independence you have while raising and lowering yourself and the ease with which you can be transported.
Following a natural movement pattern, making it great for rehabilitation, our #4 pick is the MiniLift Sit-to-Stand Transfer Lift by Handicare.
Exercising the leg muscles and actively engaging the user’s upper body strength and balance, the forward-and-upward motion provides a natural and comfortable lift experience. The low footplate slides close to the seated user and clearly indicates the best foot positioning for balance, and the adjustable lower leg pads add stability.
The frame is lightweight but strong, making this standing lift durable and easy to move from room to room. With a choice of onboard or hand controls, this battery-operated lift provides several hand placement options for the user to get the best and most comfortable grip. Two of the easy-rolling casters are lockable to ensure the lift stays put during transfer.
The MiniLift has manual and electric emergency stop functions, and it comes in three models with two weight capacities of 352.7 pounds and 440.9 pounds. Other options include standard leg height or low leg to accommodate low beds and you can choose manual or electric base widening.
If you want a comfortable easy-to-maneuver standing electric lift that will help you reach a natural standing position while striving to develop your balance and increase your strength, this model will help you reach your goals. Its long-lasting battery and durable construction ensure you can count on a long service life.
Especially great for small spaces, our #3 pick is the Molift Raiser Pro Sit-to-Stand Patient Lift by R82. Using your own muscle power, this standing lift utilizes ergonomic principles to transfer from a sitting to a standing position.
The 5-point-star handrail provides more than a dozen possible grip positions for maximum upper body support and comfort. It has soft padded leg support that is quickly adjusted with one hand and the slip-resistant footplate is low enough to fit under wheelchairs and beds to get as close to the user as possible. This sit-to-stand lift can accommodate users weighing up to 330 pounds, and the small caster wheels lock with one touch of the foot. It is highly maneuverable, which is especially helpful if you have small spaces to navigate.
This standing lift has 4 additional support options that include a pair of soft handles to attach to the handrails, and a trio of safety strap belts that secure the user around the back, hips, and upper thighs while standing. These are especially beneficial when a caregiver is moving a patient over a long distance, if the user is a fall risk, or if the user is lacking lower body strength. A sliding belt and an adjustable buckling belt offer more support as needed and they are sold separately.
For an extremely maneuverable lift that can get up close to users and move them smoothly in tight spaces, the Molift Raiser Pro is a beneficial choice for navigating small rooms, including bathrooms. If you are strong enough to pull yourself up, this lift’s multiple grip options make transfers more comfortable, and caregivers appreciate that it is adjusted with just one hand and easily secured with one foot.
The highly adjustable BestMove Sit-to-Stand Active Mobile Standing Aid by Bestcare has earned our #2 spot on our list.
The seat height, knee pads, and even weight capacity of this sit-to-stand lift are customizable for the best fit. It comes in 2 models, one with a weight capacity of 400-pounds, and one with a weight capacity of 450-pounds. All models have smooth wheeled casters, facilitating the transfer of a patient without straining a caregiver’s back. It has a swivel seat, with the seat sliding sideways and out of the way during transfers from sitting to standing and back to sitting.
This assistive device actively engages the user in the process of standing while at the same time supporting the user in seeking to improve strength and independence. Users enjoy a degree of freedom as they participate in the standing process, taking in all the benefits that changing positions can have on the body.
For supreme user safety and all-around performance, the BestMove Sit-to-Stand Active Mobile Standing Aid can be counted on to deliver. Receiving very positive reviews across multiple sites, this lift would make a great addition to any therapeutic environment.
Proudly earning the top spot on our list is the Sara Stedy Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh by Arjo!
From the innovative swivel seat to the pedal-operated chassis legs, the Sara Stedy is chock-full of features intended to simplify patient transfers and enable impactful physical therapy techniques, earning it the top spot on our list. In an effort to make sit-to-stand transfers faster, easier, and more convenient, the Sara Stedy boasts a number of ingenious design choices that offer tangible benefits to patients and caregivers alike.
The most notable feature of the Sara Stedy is its pivoting seat, which opens up to make transfers a breeze while also giving the patient access to an elevated support seat. Patient comfort is further bolstered by the wide chassis - with pedal-operated legs to allow access to wider chairs - that slides right under the chair, maneuvering directly beneath the patient for maximum accessibility. The knee pad provides additional support as the user stands, while the crossbar handle enables the user to position themselves in the most natural way possible.
One major value that the Sara Stedy provides for the user is the restoration of autonomy. Since the low-profile form of the device allows for a full range of motion for the user, patients that would otherwise find difficulty living independently will be able to spend quality time performing activities with their families, such as playing kinetic games or preparing meals in the kitchen.
On top of that, the flexibility the Sara Stedy offers the user makes it a great tool for physical therapy as well. It strikes the perfect balance between adequate support and facilitation of movement, providing ample physical reinforcement while allowing for full use of the upper body and making it easy for caregivers to guide patients through a number of rehabilitation exercises.
Overall, the Sara Stedy is a well-rounded, high-quality device that performs a vital function exceptionally well - giving people with limited mobility the opportunity to move about their environment and engage in a range of activities safely and autonomously.
A sit-to-stand lift to secure users during transfers from a seated to a standing position makes transfers quick, easy, and accomplishes them with less strain and risk to the user and the caregiver. Reviewing the features of the various designs and models will help you narrow your choice to the standing lift that will work best for you.
Most standing lifts have a weight capacity ranging somewhere between 250 and 400 pounds. If you need the lift to accommodate more weight, there are bariatric models available, so be sure the model you purchase can provide the support you need.
When using a manual lift, a caregiver’s assistance is required to lift the user to a standing position. Generally, a manual lift is less expensive and is better for users who are more stable on their feet.
A powered lift has a mechanical motor that uses electrical or battery power. Although a caregiver should always be in attendance when a standing lift is used, the lift will do the work. A powered lift will usually cost more and is a great choice for users who require more support while standing.
The actual weight of the standing lift is a consideration, especially if it will be used at home. A heavier lift could be less maneuverable and more difficult for a caregiver to move from room to room.
For extra support while transferring between sitting and standing, additional optional equipment could include padded hand grips, lifting harnesses, or leg support straps. Some models will also offer rubber gripping on the platform to keep users from slipping and locking mechanisms that can attach to a wheelchair or bed. Check out all the extra features to make sure that if at any time you need it, you can get it.
A sit-to-stand lift is first and foremost a transfer tool to help you get from place to place. However, changing positions, exercising muscles, and reducing the risk of a fall are also benefits of a standing lift.
Although they have different features and levels of support, each of the standing lifts we’ve chosen for our top 5 list can be relied on to facilitate safe and comfortable transfers and deliver a user experience that adds to the quality of life and overall well-being.
The sit-to-stand lift is designed to help patients with some mobility but who lack the strength or muscle control to rise to a standing position from a bed, wheelchair, chair, or commode. A sit-to-stand device should only be used by people who can bear some of their body weight.
Develop and improve upper body balance and strength. Improve range of motion in the spine, hips, knees, and ankles. Decrease abnormal muscle tone and reflexes (spasms, contractures) Reduce pressure sores (decubitis) through changing positions.
Conventional floor lifts use a sling to cradle you and lift your entire weight, often from a horizontal position. With a standing lift, the sling is more like a wide belt. While seated, you put your feet on a platform, grip a handle or bar, and with you bearing some weight, the device raises you to a standing position. While you are upright, the rolling standing lift can move you to another location and help you lower into a seated position.
The best standing lift for the job depends on the degree of weight-bearing and support the user needs. All standing lifts on our list have valuable features that will make users’ lives and the lives of their caregivers much easier during transfers.
We strongly believe that the Sara Stedy Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh is the best all-around choice to facilitate standing and sitting motions.
If you are still unsure which lift is right for you, then check out our helpful article How to Choose the Best Standing Lift. With so many great options on the market to consider, feel free to browse our entire catalog of Standing Lifts, Sit To Stand Lifts, and Mobility Transfer Systems.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
