How to Safely Transfer to a Chair with a Hoyer Lift? It’s More Than Just “Lowering”

After purchasing a Hoyer Lift, many families focus primarily on transfers from the bed to a wheelchair, yet overlook another high-frequency scenario: moving a loved one from the bed to a regular chair, sofa, or dining chair. This seemingly simple action is actually fraught with challenges—regular chairs often have insufficient height, unstable structures, and no armrest support. Improper operation can easily lead to the patient slipping, postural distortion, or even falling.

This article will detail how to use a Hoyer Lift to safely complete transfers to various types of chairs, ensuring your loved one can not only “sit” but also “sit stably, comfortably, and with dignity.”

I. Why Is Transfer to a Regular Chair More Difficult?

Compared to standard wheelchairs, ordinary household chairs present three major issues:

1. Height Mismatch

The seat height of sofas or dining chairs is usually only 40–45 cm, while the minimum lowering height of Hoyer Lift slings is approximately 23–28 cm. Although this seems sufficient, the sling wraps around the hips, meaning a higher landing point is actually required to allow the patient’s feet to touch the ground naturally.

2. Lack of Support Structures

Wheelchairs have backrests, armrests, and brakes, whereas sofas are soft and sag, and dining chairs often lack backrests. This makes it easy for patients to lean forward or slide sideways after sitting down.

3. Poor Stability

Lightweight wooden chairs or fabric sofas may move or tip over when under load, especially if the patient is heavier.

✅ Key Principle: Not all chairs are suitable for direct transfers. They must be evaluated and modified in advance.

II. Characteristics of an Ideal Target Chair for Transfers

If you intend to use a Hoyer Lift to transfer a patient to a non-wheelchair seat, ensure the chair meets the following criteria:

Seat height ≥ 45 cm (close to that of a standard wheelchair);

Hard seat surface (avoid memory foam or deeply sagging sofas);

Equipped with a stable backrest (at least reaching the patient’s shoulder blades);

No crossbars at the bottom (to allow the lift’s base to approach);

Overall weight > 15 kg (to prevent movement).