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“Hoyer Lifts” and Portable Patient Lifts – What’s the Difference?

You may have heard the term “Hoyer Lift” before, but you probably haven’t heard of a “patient lift“. That’s because a “Hoyer Lift” is a type of patient lift, and is a well-known brand name.

Just like ThermosChapStick, and Band-Aid, the term is on its way to becoming a generic trademark. This is what happens when a trademark that starts as a brand name becomes so well-known that the brand name eventually becomes descriptive of the product or service as a whole. Just as we commonly refer to adhesive bandages from any manufacturer as “Band-Aids”, the term actually began as a trademark to describe a line of adhesive bandages made by Johnson & Johnson.

A patient lift is a type of assistive device that is used by a caregiver to facilitate safe patient transfers. They may be portable/freestanding lifts or overhead/ceiling lifts. They are often used to transfer individuals who are unable to stand or bear their full weight between a bed and a chair or other similar resting place.

In addition to the Hoyer brand, some other well-known and reliable manufacturers of patient lifts are Liko, Human Care, and Handicare.

Not sure which patient lift is right for your needs? Our experts can help you determine which product features will best suit your specific situation and help find the patient lift that’s right for you.

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