Introduction to Medical Lifts
Patients lifts, which are also known as medical lifts, are devices that are designed to assist caregivers in the lifting and transfer of patients with mobility issues. These lifts are used to help people who might be in wheelchairs, have injuries, or have conditions that make it hard for them to move by themselves. Patient lifts are intended to alleviate the physical workload of caregivers and ensure the patient's safety.
The 3 Main Types of Medical Lifts
- Manual Lifts: These are operated by hand or foot with a lever or crank. The caregiver does most of the lifting work, though the lift itself makes the job easier than lifting by hand.
- Electric or Battery-Powered Lifts: These lifts have a motor and are often powered by a rechargeable battery. The caregiver uses buttons to operate the lift, which means less physical work is needed. These lifts are helpful for moving people safely over short distances.
- Sit-to-Stand Lifts: These are designed to help a person move from a sitting to a standing position. It’s great for people who can’t stand on their own but can hold onto the lift or have some control of their legs.
How Does a Medical Lift Work?
Most medical lifts have a metal frame with sturdy arms and hooks that connect to a sling (a strong fabric seat usually made of a vinyl or mesh material that holds the person being lifted). The person sits or lies in the sling, and the caregiver uses the lift to raise them off the bed, chair, or floor. The lift can then be used to move the person to another spot, like a wheelchair, another bed, or even a bathroom.
Lumex lifts are equipped with wheels so they can be moved around. Battery-powered lifts are typically controlled by a remote, while manual lifts often use a hydraulic pump.
Why Use a Medical Lift?
Medical lifts become necessary when a patient has difficulty moving independently, often due to conditions like:
- Safety: Lifting a person manually is tough and can be dangerous for both the caregiver and the patient. Medical lifts take on the heavy lifting, reducing the risk of injury.
- Comfort: Being lifted by a machine can be more comfortable than being carried, especially for someone with painful injuries or sensitive skin.
- Independence: Some people who need a lift can operate an electric or ceiling lift by themselves, which gives them more control over their own movements.
- Efficiency: For hospitals and nursing homes, medical lifts make it faster and easier to help multiple patients. Caregivers can transfer patients without needing extra hands.
When and Where are Medical Lifts Used?
There is a widespread prevalence of medical lifts in establishments such as hospitals, nursing homes, and residences where individuals receive long-term care. People with illnesses such as paralysis, severe arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or those who have recently undergone surgery can benefit tremendously from using them. There are times when these lifts are especially helpful in emergency situations, such as when someone has fallen and is unable to get up and requires temporary support with mobility. When it comes to moving patients in a comfortable manner, medical lifts make it easier and safer for caregivers to do so.
We carry a number of Lumex patient lifts available for your selection! Lumex is a reputable firm that is well-known for creating a wide range of medical lifts. Lumex floor lifts are designed to provide safer and more secure transfers of patients by caregivers. Lumex lifts are also very sturdy and easy to use. Additionally, you might not give much thought to the possibility of requiring replacement parts when you initially purchase one, but it is important to be aware that you can easily locate them in the event that you ever want them.
Lumex Lift Models |
I. Manual Lifts
- LF1600 – Lumex Stand Assist Lift Model is designed for the transport of individuals between approximately 5'1" and 6'6" (155 cm and 198 cm) in height.
The Lumex Stand Assist is designed for residents who have the strength and stability to lift and support themselves. We recommend an electric sit-to-stand lift (battery operated) for patients with limited strength and stability.
Features:
- 400 lb safe working load
- Padded dual knee pads and seat pads for comfortable transport
- Stable base with locking rear casters
- Fits easily through narrow doorways
- Affordable alternative to electric sit-to-stand lifts
Being one of the most economical lift in the Lumex line, the Lumex Stand Assist is a manual standing aid is perfect for patients who have adequate arm strength to pull themselves upward and enough leg strength to support their own weight. Patients who meet these criteria and have difficulty walking will find the Stand Assist a useful transport device. Functionally, the Stand Assist is positioned between a traditional walker and a battery powered sit-to-stand lift. The Stand Assist is a convenient toileting alternative to a wheelchair. Once the resident has positioned themself on board, the split seat can be positioned to allow the resident to sit comfortably while a caregiver performs the transport. For residents lacking the strength to assist themselves, we recommend a battery powered sit-to-stand lift.
The Stand Assist is capable of the following transfers when used according to the instructions:
- Bed to chair/wheelchair
- Bed/chair/wheelchair to commode
- Room to room
II. Hydraulic Lifts
The Lumex Hydraulic Patient Lift is equipped with a 6-point spreader bar with 360 degree rotation that can accommodate a patient up to 400 lbs and offers a wide variety of transfer slings maximizing for a safe and comfortable transfer for patients with different builds.
- Lumex LF1030 Model – Comes in Blue Powder-coated
- Lumex LF1031 Model – Comes in Black/Silver Vein Hammertone
- Lumex LF1031FP Model – Come sin Black/Silver Vein Hammertone w/foot pedal
Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction
- Six point spreader bar with 360° rotation
- Uses Lumex® six-point, four-point or two-point slings
- Foot pedal manually adjustable base
- Ergonomic placement of hydraulic pump handle facilitates ease of use
- Disassembles for easy storage
- Optional digital scale available
- Maximum weight capacity 400 lb - EVENLY DISTRIBUTED
This patient lift is not intended to be used for transporting or moving a patient from one location to another.
III-1. Battery-Powered Floor Lifts
For individuals who are unable to transfer themselves independently between a bed, chair, bathtub, wheelchair, or commode can benefit greatly from a battery-powered lift which is designed to provide safer and more secure transfers of patients by caregivers.
Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction with white powder-coated finish and rubber-coated low base legs protect furniture and walls
- Six point spreader bar with 360° rotation accommodates 2-, 4-, or 6-point slings
- Large, easy to grip handles for easy maneuverability
- Intuitive foot pedal leg opening mechanism frees up hands
- Ergonomic hand pendant with hook
- Emergency stop button and manual lowering mechanism
- Warning beep and visual indicator on control box for low battery charge (24V DC motor)
- Accessory storage bag and how-to-use video included
- Optional digital scale DSC250
The Lumex LF1050 Patient Lift is designed for transfer only (to and from bed, chair, bathtub, toilet, wheelchair, commode etc.).
The Lumex LF1090 Bariatric Patient Lift is is not intended to be used for transporting or moving a patient from one location to another.
Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction with white powder-coated finish and rubber-coated low base legs protect furniture and walls
- Six point spreader bar with 360° rotation accommodates 2-, 4-, or 6-point slings
- Unique, ergonomic foot pedal leg opening
- Large, easy to grip handles for easy maneuverability
- Lower base height maximizes stability and fits under most beds
- Rubber base coating protects furniture and walls
- 24V DC motor allows quiet smooth operation
- Ergonomic hand pendant with hook
- Warning beep for low battery charge and weight capacity levels
- Easy access emergency stop button
- Emergency manual lowering device
- White powder-coated finish
- Accessory storage bag included for slings and charger
- Optional digital scale available
- Maximum Weight Capacity 600 lb - EVENLY DISTRIBUTED
III-2. Battery-Powered Sit-to-Stand Lifts
Sit-to-Stand lifts are designed for patients who have difficulty standing up on their own from a seated position. Patients must be able to actively participate in the lifting process and be able to partially support their weight.
The Lumex LF2020 Easy Lift STS and the LF2090 Bariatric Easy Lift STS is intended to aid in the transfer of an individual who is unable to independently transfer between bed, chair, bathtub, wheelchair, and/or commode. This patient lift is not intended to be used for transporting or moving a patient from one location to another.
Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction with white powder-coated finish and rubber-coated low base legs protect furniture and walls
- Spreader bar provides various hand-hold locations for the patient and accommodates various sling slyles
- Large, easy to grip handles for easy maneuverability
- Intuitive foot pedal leg opening mechanism frees up hands
- Adjustable knee pad unit
- Quick-release removable foot platform for gait training
- Ergonomic hand pendant with hook
- Emergency stop button
- Warning beep and visual indicator on control box for low battery charge (24V DC motor)
- Accessory storage bag and how-to-use video included
Additionally, the LF2020 Easy Lift STS and the LF2090 Bariatric Easy Lift STS is designed for use by individuals who can support the majority of their own weight. Special care must be taken with patients who cannot provide assistance while being lifted (i.e. such as patients who are comatose, spastic, agitated or otherwise severely disabled).
Features:
- Heavy-gauge steel construction
- Designed to provide quick, safe assistance to those who have trouble standing
- Unique, ergonomic foot pedal base opening
- Large, easy to grip handles for easy maneuvering
- Lower base height maximizes stability and fits under most beds
- Rubber base coating protects furniture and walls
- Adjustable knee pad unit
- Quick release removable foot platform
- Optional buttock strap for patients requiring additional support
- 24V DC motor allows quiet, smooth operation
- Ergonomically designed hand pendant with pendant hook
- Warning beep for low battery charge and weight capacity levels
- Easy access emergency stop button
- White powder-coated finish
- Accessory storage bag included for slings and charger
- Interchangeable battery works with other Lumex Easy Lifts
- Easy access emergency stop button
- Maximum Weight Capacity 600 lb - EVENLY DISTRIBUTED
This battery-powered patient lift is the most recent model that Lumex has to offer, and it is a heavy-duty lift that is capable of supporting a weight of up to 500 pounds with its sturdy, heavy-gauge steel construction.
The Lumex LF500 Pro Battery Powered Patient Lift is equipped with a 6-point spreader bar with 360 degrees rotation that can accommodate a wide variety of transfer slings maximizing for a safe and comfortable transfer for patients with different builds.
The Lumex LF500 Pro Battery Powered Patient Lift is ergonomically designed with large-grip handles, powered height-adjustment and base, making it easier for the caregiver to operate and maneuver this patient lift. The Lumex LF500 Pro also comes with a Swan neck design with an impressive lifting range of 55.5", allowing safe transfer of patients from the floor to higher beds and furniture.
Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction with white powder-coated finish and rubber-coated low base legs protect furniture and walls
- Swan neck enables outstanding lifting range of 55.5" (140.97 cm)
- Six point spreader bar with 360º rotation accommodates 2-, 4-, or 6-point slings
- Large, easy to grip padded handles for easy maneuverability
- Powered high/low and base open/close simplifies operation
- Ergonomic hand pendant with hook
- Premium electronics with LCD display. Lift can be operated via the control box or the hand pendant
- Emergency stop button and manual lowering mechanism
- Alarm and visual indicator on control box and hand pendant for low battery charge (24V DC motor) or overload
- Battery may be charged while on the lift or remotely in charging caddy
- Spare battery and charging caddy included
- Durable twin wheel casters, 3" (7.62 cm) front, 4" (10.16 cm) rear braking
- How-to-use video included
Conclusion
Medical lifts are invaluable tools for caregivers and patients alike, improving safety, comfort, and efficiency during transfers. Whether you need a stand-assist lift to promote mobility or a bariatric lift for heavier patients, Lumex offers a full line of lifts tailored to various care needs. With easy access to replacement parts such as knee pads, batteries, hand controls, and casters, maintaining these devices becomes simple and cost-effective. By choosing the right lift and following safe usage practices, caregivers can provide better care while protecting their own well-being.
For caregivers and facilities looking to invest in durable and reliable patient lifts, Lumex lifts offer superior performance and versatility. Explore the wide range of Lumex lift models and lift replacement parts to find the perfect solution for your needs, ensuring comfort and safety every step of the way.