Can Hoyer Lifts Be Used on Carpets? — The Truth About Safety When Operating on Soft Flooring

Soft carpets, which add warmth and muffle sound, are a top choice for flooring in bedrooms and living rooms in many households. However, when a Hoyer Lift is introduced at home to care for a family member with reduced mobility, this seemingly comfortable carpet may quietly become a source of safety risks.

Many caregivers have noticed issues: difficulty pushing the lift across the carpet, jerky turns, and even slight sliding of the base during lifting. Behind these small details lie the risks of the lift tipping over and the patient falling. So, can Hoyer Lifts be used safely on carpets? How can we balance the aesthetic appeal of our homes with the safety of caregiving?

This article will explain in detail the real impact of carpets on Hoyer Lift operation and provide practical optimization solutions.

I. Why Do Carpets Affect Hoyer Lifts?

Hoyer Lifts rely on swivel casters on their base to achieve flexible movement and stable support. Carpets—especially those with medium to high pile—interfere with this critical mechanism in the following ways:

1. High Resistance to Movement

The casters sink into the carpet pile, making it strenuous to push the lift. Caregivers may lose their balance due to excessive force;

Turning the lift is difficult, making it hard to align it precisely with the bed or wheelchair.

2. Unstable Base

During the lifting process, minor vibrations from the hydraulic system or motor may cause the base to shift slowly on the soft carpet;

If there is a foam underlay beneath the carpet, stability is further reduced.

3. Risk of Brake Failure

Most lift caster brakes are designed for hard flooring and cannot be fully locked on thick carpets;

The consequences would be unthinkable if the base slides while the patient is suspended in mid-air.

⚠️ Research shows: Using a Hoyer Lift on carpets thicker than 1 cm increases the risk of the equipment tipping over by more than 3 times (Source: American Society of Rehabilitation Engineering, 2021).

II. Risk Levels of Different Carpet Types

Not all carpets pose the same level of risk. Below is a risk assessment for common carpet types:

Low-pile flatwoven carpets (e.g., commercial nylon carpets, pile height < 0.5 cm)→ Low risk: Can be used cautiously if there is no foam underlay.

Medium-pile carpets (e.g., residential wool carpets, pile height 0.5–1 cm)→ Medium risk: A hard underpad must be installed; long-term use without one is not recommended.

High-pile/shag carpets (e.g., shag rugs, pile height > 1 cm)→ High risk: Removal or coverage is strongly advised; direct use is prohibited.

Carpets with thick foam underlays→ Extremely high risk: Even if the surface is flat, compression and deformation of the underlay can cause a shift in the center of gravity.

III. Three Solutions for Safe Hoyer Lift Use

✅ Solution 1: Install Localized Hard Transfer Mats

In high-frequency transfer areas (such as beside the bed, near the wheelchair, and at the bathroom entrance), lay non-slip hard mats (e.g., rubber mats, PVC floor sheets, or wooden boards);

Recommended size: ≥ 1.2m × 1.2m to ensure the entire base of the lift sits on the mat;

Add beveled edges to the mats to prevent tripping.