Patient Lifts That Make Transfers Easy & Secure

A patient lift is a device that helps caregivers safely raise, lower, and transfer a person who has limited mobility or cannot stand or walk unassisted — moving them between a bed, chair, wheelchair, or bathroom without manual lifting.

A patient lift uses a motorized or hydraulic mechanism, along with a fitted sling, to raise and lower a patient smoothly from one surface to another. Ceiling and gantry systems move along an overhead track; floor lifts roll on casters.

Weight capacity varies significantly by model. Altamira's lineup ranges from compact folding floor lifts up to bariatric-rated systems supporting 850 lb, with Mackworth ceiling and gantry systems rated at 440–600 lb. The right capacity depends on the individual patient and setting.

Patient lift cost varies based on the system type, weight capacity, and installation complexity — a portable floor lift, a freestanding gantry, and a fixed ceiling track system each have very different price points. Because every home and every patient's needs are different, Altamira provides an exact, written estimate after a free in-home evaluation rather than a one-size-fits-all price.

Yes. Patient lifts are regulated as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must meet applicable safety and performance requirements before they can be sold.

The right choice depends on the patient's weight, transfer ability, and specific mobility limitations, along with the home's ceiling structure and available space. Altamira's free in-home evaluation walks through all of these factors — see our full evaluation process above.

Routine maintenance includes checking and tightening hardware, inspecting slings and attachment points for wear, testing safety features such as emergency stops, and keeping batteries charged. Altamira offers ongoing service after installation.

Yes — bed-to-wheelchair is one of the most common transfer types. Most patient lift systems, whether ceiling-mounted, gantry-based, or floor-based, are designed to assist with this type of transfer.

Common features include adjustable lifting height, safety sensors, emergency stop and lowering controls, and battery-powered operation. Many models also offer interchangeable slings, digital scales for patient weighing, and service reminders.

Some portable floor lifts, including certain Joerns Hoyer models, are compact enough to fold for storage and transportation and may assist with transfers into or out of a suitable vehicle. Altamira can help determine which models may accommodate the intended use.

Portable floor lifts and freestanding gantry systems such as the Mackworth FSG can typically be assembled relatively quickly without permanent structural modifications. Fixed ceiling-track systems require a professional installation appointment, with timing depending on the track layout and conditions in the home.

Yes. Sling type, lift capacity, track layout, and control options can be tailored to the patient and the home. Bariatric configurations and specialty slings for toileting, repositioning, or amputee support may also be available depending on the selected system.

Manual patient handling can expose caregivers to musculoskeletal injuries. Nursing assistants experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders at a rate more than five times the average for all industries. A properly selected and correctly used patient lift can reduce physical strain during transfers and help protect both the patient and caregiver.