Sit to Stand Assist Devices

A lift can move your loved one a short distance while a frame holds them standing in place. A sit-to-stand lift raises someone who can bear some weight from a seated position and lets a caregiver move them a short distance, such as from bed to wheelchair or from chair to commode. A standing frame supports a person in a full standing position for longer periods. If your goal is safer daily transfers, you'll want a lift. If it's therapeutic standing time, you'll want a frame.

Your loved one should be able to sit up unsupported at the edge of their bed and hold the handgrips as the lift raises them. They should also be able to shift some of their weight onto their legs and keep head and upper-body control. Someone who can't bear any weight or can't follow the steps needs a full-body lift with a sling instead. Confirm the right fit with your loved one's doctor or physical therapist before ordering.

A standing frame raises and holds a person in a standing position for longer than they can manage on their own. It helps deliver the therapeutic benefits of standing, like circulation, bone density, range of motion, and reduced muscle tightness. Consult your loved one's physical therapist for specific recommendations. Generally, it's used by those who can't stand independently, including people with a spinal cord injury, MS, stroke, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy. For a child who needs one, our pediatric standers are sized and built for a growing body.

In a sit-to-stand stander like the EasyStand Evolv, your loved one first transfers onto the seat. Then, a caregiver secures the knee pads, chest support, and straps, and finally a hydraulic pump or power lift raises them gradually to a standing position. A supine stander takes another route: the person lies on the padded back while it's flat, and the whole surface tilts up to standing. That version suits someone with less head and trunk control. Their physical therapist can tell you which transfer method is realistic for your loved one and whether a single caregiver can manage the process alone.

Sit-to-stand devices are useful when your elderly parent can still bear some weight but transfers have become unsafe for one or both of you. For a parent recovering from a stroke or surgery, or living with a condition that has weakened their legs, a powered lift takes the strain out of getting from bed to chair. If your parent mainly needs a boost to stand and can walk, a liftchair like the Vive Health Lounge Lift Chair is a simpler solution than a full transfer lift.

At the high end of this range sit the therapeutic standing frames, which cost more because of the engineering required to hold a body safely upright. The EasyStand Evolv XT Standing Frame, for instance, is an extra-tall, heavy-duty frame with four customization options. As for lifts, the manual ones cost less than the powered ones. The Bounce Back Fall Recovery Lift is a battery-powered device and lives at the low end of the lift range.

Choose a hydraulic lift if you want a low-cost option with no battery to charge, and an electric one if you want minimal physical effort and the smoothest lift. A hydraulic lift raises the user with a hand-pumped cylinder, which works well but asks more of the caregiver. An electric lift raises them at the push of a button, which is convenient for several transfers per day or if the caregiver has any back trouble. You can compare the options side by side in our sit-to-stand lifts collection.

The pediatric EasyStand Bantam Extra Small supports 50 pounds, but the Med Mizer MedRiser lift supports up to 500, so the range varies dramatically. Check your specific model's rating before you buy it. The rule of thumb, to err on the safe side, is to leave room for margin between the rated capacity of the device and your loved one's weight.

A purchase from Skyward Medical comes with US-based phone support, manufacturer warranty coverage, and financing options to spread the cost out over time. If you aren't sure which device fits your loved one, call our support line and talk to us before you order. Warranty terms are set by each product's manufacturer, so confirm the exact coverage on the device you choose.