Can a sit-to-stand device be used with any resident/patient?

Can a sit-to-stand device be used with any resident/patient?

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 with residents/patients that can bear some body weight. Depending on how much weight bearing capacity the resident has, the sit-to-stand device can raise the resident just high enough for short distance transfers such as bed to wheelchair or wheelchair to commode, or to a fully standing posture for longer distance transfers. Use of a sit-stand device also requires the patient/resident to be able to sit up on the edge of the bed with or without assistance, and to be able to bend their hips, knees, and ankles.

Patient Rehab:
The sit-to-stand device can also be a helpful rehabilitation tool. It can be used to promote increased weight bearing by controlling the resident's position. The closer the resident is to upright, the more weight their lower extremities will be bearing.

Manufacturer's instructions for these Stand Assist Lifts list the following precaution:
Professional assessment should be carried out before lifting patients who are non weight bearing. This also applies to patients who have limited shoulder movement or cannot hold on with one or both hands. These instructions also direct two staff assist with the Lift for those patients who have suffered a stroke or who can only hold with one hand, or patients who cannot hold on at all.


Typical use for bed to standing position:
Diagram-bed-to-standing position
Typical usage for chair to standing position:
Diagram of chair-to-standing position
Patient must be capable of bearing some weight in the standing position as seen in the diagrams above. Feet are planted on the foot board, knees are braced against the padded knee board, and patient is lifted with the strap under the arms and across the back. Patient can hold onto handlebars, the lift does all the work. The motion of the lift stretches the body out while lifting. Users that are unable to hold onto hand grips may experience sensation of "hanging" in the air and may be uncomfortable. At it's highest lift point patient remains slightly tilted back so that weight is maintained in the sling and back. This prevents falling forward. Once lifted, patent is easily lowered onto a toilet, bedside commode, wheelchair or chair.

Transferring from bed:
Caregiver must be able to get patient into a sitting position on the side of the bed. Stand Up Lift Slings do not work from a prone position.


For more information see our Buyer's Guide for Sit-to-Stand Lift

Standing Patient Lifts (Stand Up Lift, Stand Assist Lift, Sit-to-Stand)
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