Using a Hoyer lift to move someone from a bed to a wheelchair involves positioning a sling under the person while they’re in bed, raising them with the lift, rolling the lift over to the wheelchair, and lowering them into the seat. The whole transfer takes about five to ten minutes once you’re comfortable with the steps. Most lifts require two caregivers to operate safely, so plan accordingly before you begin.
What You Need Before Starting
Gather everything first so you’re not scrambling mid-transfer. You need the Hoyer lift itself (with a charged battery if it’s electric, or a functioning hydraulic pump if it’s manual), the correct sling for the person’s size and weight, and the wheelchair positioned nearby. Check that the sling has no frayed straps, torn fabric, or damaged attachment points. If you’re using a battery-powered lift, charge the battery daily. Total discharge can damage the battery or shorten its lifespan, so make this part of your routine rather than waiting until the lift stops working.
Lock the wheelchair brakes, remove or swing back the footrests, and move the armrests out of the way if they’re removable. Place the wheelchair as close to the bed as the lift base will allow. Lower the bed to a flat position if it’s adjustable.
Placing the Sling Under the Person
This is the step that takes the most care, especially for someone with fragile skin. Roll the person onto their side, facing away from you. Fold the sling in half lengthwise and tuck the folded edge against their back, positioning it so the top edge sits behind the shoulders and the bottom edge reaches under the thighs. Then roll the person back over the folded sling and onto their other side, pulling the sling flat from the opposite edge.
The key here is lifting, not dragging. Sliding fabric across skin creates friction that can cause tears or pressure injuries, particularly in older adults or anyone with thin skin. Use a draw sheet underneath the person if one is available, and always roll them rather than pulling the sling out from under their body. Having a second caregiver on the opposite side of the bed makes this dramatically easier and safer.
Once the sling is flat and centered, roll the person onto their back. Check that the sling sits symmetrically: equal amounts of fabric on each side, the top edge behind the shoulders (not the neck), and the leg straps or lower portion extending under both thighs. An off-center sling means an off-center lift, which is uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.
Connecting the Sling to the Lift
Roll the Hoyer lift to the bedside. Spread the base legs to their widest position and lock them there. This maximizes stability and prevents the lift from tipping during the transfer. Lower the boom (the overhead arm) so the hooks or cradle bar hang directly over the person’s midsection.
Attach the sling straps to the lift’s hooks or cradle bar. Most slings have two upper straps (for the shoulders) and two lower straps (for the thighs). The upper straps typically attach to the outer hooks, and the lower straps attach to the inner hooks, though this varies by manufacturer. Shorter strap settings create a more upright seated position, while longer settings recline the person more. For a wheelchair transfer, you generally want a more upright position so they’re already sitting when they reach the chair.
Double-check every attachment point. Each strap loop should be fully seated on its hook, with no twisting. Give each strap a firm tug before lifting.
Lifting and Moving to the Wheelchair
Pump the hydraulic handle or press the “up” button slowly. Raise the person just high enough to clear the bed surface, then pause. At this point, check that the sling looks even, the person isn’t sliding, and they feel secure. Ask them how they’re doing. If anything looks wrong, lower them back down and reposition.
Once you’re confident the sling is stable, raise them a few more inches so they’ll clear the wheelchair armrests. One caregiver should guide the person’s body gently to prevent swinging or spinning, while the other steers the lift by the handle. Roll the lift slowly away from the bed and toward the wheelchair.
Position the lift so the person hangs directly over the wheelchair seat, with their back close to the chair’s backrest. The base legs of the lift should straddle the wheelchair’s front wheels. This is where the wide base setting matters: the legs need to fit around the wheelchair frame without bumping it.
Lowering Into the Wheelchair
Lower the person slowly using the release valve (on hydraulic lifts) or the “down” button (on electric lifts). As they descend, one caregiver should stand behind the wheelchair to guide the person’s hips toward the back of the seat. Without this guidance, people tend to land too far forward, which means you’ll need to reposition them afterward.
Once they’re seated and their full weight is on the chair, stop lowering. Unhook the sling straps from the lift, starting with the upper (shoulder) straps. Roll the lift away. You can leave the sling underneath the person if you’ll be transferring them again soon, or remove it by repeating the rolling technique in reverse. Leaving the sling in place for extended periods can create pressure points, so remove it if the person will be sitting for more than a short while.
Replace the wheelchair armrests, swing the footrests back into position, and place the person’s feet on them. Check that they’re sitting with their hips against the backrest and their weight distributed evenly.
Common Mistakes That Cause Problems
Forgetting to widen the base legs is one of the most frequent errors. A narrow base makes the lift top-heavy and unstable, especially when the boom is extended with a person’s full weight on it. Always spread and lock the legs before lifting.
Lifting too high is another common issue. You only need enough clearance to move the person from one surface to the other. Every extra inch of height increases swing, makes the person feel less secure, and raises the consequences of any equipment failure.
Trying to do it alone when the lift requires two people is a serious safety risk. The FDA recommends checking your specific lift’s requirements and never operating it solo if it’s designed for two or more caregivers. One person managing both the lift controls and the person’s body position is a recipe for a fall or injury.
Keeping the Lift in Safe Working Order
Inspect the sling before every use. Fabric that shows wear, fraying, or thinning along the edges should be replaced. Check the strap loops and attachment hardware for bending or cracking. On hydraulic lifts, look for any fluid leaking from the pump or cylinder. On electric lifts, test the battery level before starting a transfer, not during one. A lift that loses power mid-transfer leaves you with limited options.
Periodically check that all bolts on the frame, boom, and base legs are tight. Lifts endure repetitive stress at the same joints every time they’re used, and hardware can loosen over weeks or months. A quick visual and manual check takes less than a minute and catches problems before they become dangerous.