Written by Hulet Smith, OT
It takes a lot of effort by caregivers to move people with mobility limitations from one place to another. Patient lifts reduce the strain on caregivers in hospitals, care facilities, and at home, assisting with transferring patients in and out of bed, in and out of a chair or wheelchair, and on and off the toilet. Lifting devices also reduce the risk of falls and injuries for patients, which are common for people over age 65 or with compromised mobility and can lead to serious injury. Compact lifts are especially helpful for home use, since limited space and narrow hallways can make standard-sized transfer equipment too big to use in small houses and apartments. In this article, we’ll discuss our three best compact lifts from Arjo, which fit easily into smaller spaces while delivering a multitude of design features to benefit patients and their caregivers.
 | Sara Stedy COMPACT Patient Transfer Aid by Arjo View Product |
Accommodating patients with varying levels of mobility who are between 4’ 6” and 5’ 8” tall and weigh up to 400 pounds, the Sara Stedy Compact sit-to-stand lift can be used with a single caregiver.
This manually-powered lift doesn’t need a power source and can be used anywhere. It is designed for the comfort and safety of caregivers. Combatting the usually high levels of physical strain and musculoskeletal discomfort, caregivers using the Sara Stedy Compact can use the comfortable handhold to maneuver this mobility aid. This lift has a width-adjustable chassis and its lower clearance allows it to slide easily under low furniture. With the flick of a foot pedal, a caregiver can set the wheel locks while transferring patients on and off the lift.
This patient lift for home use has a pivoting seat opening that makes it easy for the patient to get on and off and meet personal hygiene needs. Its swivel design features two seat panels that flip out of the way for entry and exit, and return to their original position to provide support in an angled seat position. This compact lift has cushioned knee pads and a textured standing platform for traction. Its size makes it easy to store when the lift is not in use.
In addition to being an extremely capable compact patient lift, the Sara Stedy Compact can also be used as part of a rehabilitative or therapy program. It helps patients maintain a measure of independent mobility, offering a crossbar handle for support while they work on developing their own strength and motor control to lift or lower themselves.
The Sara Stedy also comes in a larger, standard size with many of the same features and benefits as the more easily maneuvered compact version.
The Sara Stedy Compact works well for people who need mobility assistance but still have some trunk strength and stability and can bear some of their weight on at least one leg. It’s great for the many sit-to-stand transfers that happen in a day, allowing patients to actively participate in their own movement and minimizing the physical strain on a caregiver. By stimulating functional movements, this mobility device can improve recovery and help maintain as much mobility as possible, especially in smaller spaces.
 | Maxi Twin Mobile Patient Lift by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED) View Product |
The open twin-mast design that’s exclusive to the Maxi Twin Compact Mobile Patient Lift provides the opportunity for caregivers and patients to have a clear line of sight to each other throughout the transfer process. This fosters a feeling of safety and security for patients who might otherwise be nervous about a lift. Each mast is a separate handle that can be held at any point, which provides a high level of comfortable control while maintaining a comfortable working posture for caregivers of any height.
The two-mast design mimics the full-size Maxi Twin floor lifter, distributing patient weight evenly for improved stability, with a friction solution that keeps the spreader bar from swinging. Its compact size makes it a great choice for anyone who needs to be transferred in limited spaces. This lift has a powered dynamic positioning system that is integrated into the spreader bar and helps reposition the patient once in the sling, and it has a selection of spreader formats for specific needs. Its high lifting strokes allow it to smoothly lift a patient from the floor, and it can also be used for transfers in and out of a car. Its electric functions require a power source, so the battery’s charge needs to be monitored.
Accommodating patients weighing up to 350 pounds, the Maxi Twin Compact has a small footprint that allows it to maneuver easily in tight spaces.
For people who are mostly immobile, can’t bear their own weight, and can’t actively participate in the lifting process, the Maxi Twin Compact Lift provides complete transfer assistance in small, narrow spaces. Its see-through design helps patients maintain calming eye contact with the caregiver to stay oriented and comfortable with the lifting movement.
The unique capabilities of the Maxi Twin Compact include much more than being able to fit into smaller and narrower spaces. With the multiple benefits and variable options that make it highly customizable, this compact yet mighty patient lift for home use offers more than many larger models on the market.
 | Sara Flex Electric Sit-to-Stand Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED) View Product |
The Sara Flex Powered Raising Aid works so well in tiny spaces that it’s perfect for a single caregiver to use for aiding sit-to-stand transitions in the bathroom. There are no adjustments required, which makes this very easy to use for caregivers, although it doesn’t provide the customization of a more adjustable lift. Although it is not considered “compact,” it is much smaller than other lifts that serve the same patients. It’s lightweight but strong, with a weight capacity of 440 pounds.
This electrically-powered lift comes with two rechargeable batteries and a wall-charger, so there is always a battery charging even while the lift is in use. The motion is directed by a remote control. It raises and lowers the patient with the push of a button that requires no manual lifting from the caregiver. Its ergonomic patient handle allows users to keep themselves stable during transfers, and it delivers a natural feeling to the sitting or standing process. It’s easy to maneuver in small spaces under low furniture with a width-adjustable low clearance chassis. The lightweight portability of this sit-to-stand patient lift makes it portable and easy to move between locations.
It has a textured platform for increased traction to reduce the risk of slipping or falling. The wide crossbar provides a comfortable curved handhold providing control for the caregiver. Flexible silicone straps are positioned behind the patient’s shins for more comfort and support. Its lifting mast, with a U-shaped crossbar, has handles on each end for patients to steady themselves during the sit-to-stand motion.
This life comes fully assembled and is beneficial for bariatric patients who have difficulty with weight-bearing and mobility. It can be purchased with an optional scale that weighs patients while they are on the lift for easy readings.
People who don’t have the upper body strength to pull themselves up, or who weigh more than the 350-400 pounds accommodated by most standard-sized lifts, benefit from the fully electric lifting power of the Sara Flex. This lift has a smaller footprint than other higher-capacity lifts, and is highly maneuverable, making it very useful in bathrooms and other small spaces. It’s lightweight and very easy for a single caregiver to operate and move between locations.
Nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay at home as they age. A barrier to this is immobility, so aids that can help them get around their homes and accomplish daily life activities support aging in place. Patient lifts cut down on the physical strain often experienced by caregivers that can lead to repetitive wear injuries, and they keep patients safe while moving from one place to the next. Whether going from bed to wheelchair to chair to toilet, patient lifts for home use allow people to better fend off pressure sores that come from remaining in the same position too long, and facilitate more active and healthy daily living.
Thank you for reading about Arjo’s line of compact lifts that are designed to make patient transfers easier and safer for patients and their caregivers. For more information on how to choose the best patient lift for your specific needs, visit our article library at Caregiver University.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
 "Sara Stedy Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED)")
 "Sara Flex Electric Sit-to-Stand Patient Transfer Aid by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED)")