Patient Lifts
Floor and ceiling lifts that move someone safely between bed, chair, and bathroom with less strain on caregivers.
Typical cost: $500–$6,000 (manual sling to ceiling track)
How much do patient lifts cost in Canada?
- Manual hydraulic floor liftHand pump, no power
- $700 to $2,000
- Electric portable liftPowered, moves room to room
- $2,000 to $5,000
- Ceiling track systemInstalled, fixed track
- $3,500 to $12,000+
Installed or supplied prices in CAD, illustrative as of 2026. What you pay depends on whether it is a manual or powered floor lift or a fitted ceiling track, the weight capacity, the slings, and the track length and room layout.
Compare patient lifts brands
The major brands sold in Canada, with where each one fits. We note real differences in service and reliability, not just price, so you can ask the right questions. Each quote goes to vetted local dealers.
Invacare
Patient Lifts
Well-known maker of floor and stand-assist lifts with strong parts support.
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Weight capacity
- Up to 450 lb
- Warranty
- Multi-year limited
Best for: Homes that want a proven, well-supported floor lift.
Hoyer (Joerns)
Patient Lifts
The name many people use for a patient lift, now part of Joerns Healthcare.
- Price tier
- Mid to premium
- Weight capacity
- Up to 500 lb
- Warranty
- Multi-year limited
Best for: Caregivers who want the trusted, widely serviced standard.
Drive Medical
Patient Lifts
Affordable manual and electric floor lifts sold through medical suppliers.
- Price tier
- Budget
- Weight capacity
- Up to 450 lb
- Warranty
- Limited
Best for: Families who need a dependable lift at a lower price.
Handicare
Patient Lifts
Specialist in ceiling track systems and transfer solutions, professionally fitted.
- Price tier
- Premium
- Weight capacity
- Up to 440 lb (track)
- Warranty
- Multi-year on systems
Best for: Homes wanting a fixed ceiling track for daily, space-saving transfers.
Guldmann
Patient Lifts
Professional ceiling-lift maker used widely in care homes and hospitals.
- Price tier
- Premium
- Weight capacity
- Up to 550 lb (track)
- Warranty
- Multi-year on systems
Best for: Higher-needs settings that need clinical-grade ceiling lifts.
Grants & funding by province
Power wheelchairs and scooters may be covered in part by provincial assistive-device programs (such as Ontario's ADP), Veterans Affairs, or private insurance. Installed equipment like stair lifts can qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit.
Which grants can help pay for this?
Choose your province to see the funding that applies. Federal credits apply across Canada.
- Federal
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
A federal tax credit for renovations that make a home safer or easier to get around, including stair lifts, ramps, walk-in tubs, and grab bars.
- Typical amount
- Up to $20,000 in eligible work a year, worth up to $3,000 back (15%).
- Who qualifies
- Seniors 65 and older, or adults eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, claimed on the yearly tax return.
- Federal
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
A federal credit on eligible medical expenses. A stair lift and similar equipment can qualify with a doctor's note, and can often be claimed alongside the HATC.
- Typical amount
- 15% federal credit on eligible expenses above the yearly threshold.
- Who qualifies
- Anyone with qualifying medical expenses; equipment usually needs a prescription or letter from a doctor.
- Federal
Veterans Affairs Canada (Veterans Independence Program)
Support for eligible veterans and some survivors to stay independent at home, which can include home adaptations and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- Coverage varies by assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Eligible veterans and certain survivors, assessed through VAC.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
March of Dimes Home & Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)
Ontario funding toward home modifications like stair lifts, ramps, and lifts for people with a substantial mobility impairment. Income-tested.
- Typical amount
- Up to $15,000 toward eligible home modifications, for those who qualify.
- Who qualifies
- Ontario residents with a substantial mobility restriction expected to last a year or more; income-tested.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Ontario Renovates (municipal)
Forgivable loans or grants for low-income homeowners to make accessibility and safety repairs, delivered locally (Toronto, Ottawa, London, and others).
- Typical amount
- Varies by municipality (often forgivable loans up to several thousand dollars).
- Who qualifies
- Low-income homeowners; income limits and rules are set by each municipality.
- Provincial
B.C. Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
A refundable B.C. tax credit for renovations that improve access or safety, on top of the federal HATC.
- Typical amount
- Up to $1,000 a year (10% of up to $10,000 in eligible work).
- Who qualifies
- B.C. residents 65 and older, or living with a person with a disability.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Alberta Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) & AADL
RAMP grants help wheelchair users adapt a home; Aids to Daily Living (AADL) cost-shares mobility and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- RAMP up to $7,500 over three years; AADL cost-shares assessed equipment.
- Who qualifies
- Albertans with a permanent mobility disability who use a wheelchair (RAMP); assessed need (AADL).
- Provincial
Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL)
Cost-shared mobility aids and self-help equipment for residents with qualifying disabilities or conditions.
- Typical amount
- Cost-shared by program; varies by item.
- Who qualifies
- Saskatchewan residents with eligible disabilities or chronic conditions.
- Provincial
Manitoba Home Care equipment & adaptations
Equipment and home-adaptation support arranged through the Manitoba Home Care program for people assessed as needing it to stay home safely.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Manitoba residents assessed through the Home Care program.
- Provincial
PEI Disability Support Program
Funding toward accessibility equipment and home modifications for eligible Islanders living with a disability.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- PEI residents who qualify under the Disability Support Program.
- Condition-specific
MS Society of Canada equipment support
Regional MS Society programs can help offset the cost of accessibility and mobility equipment for people living with multiple sclerosis.
- Typical amount
- Varies by region and program.
- Who qualifies
- People living with multiple sclerosis, through regional MS Society chapters.
- Condition-specific
Muscular Dystrophy Canada equipment program
Funding toward mobility and accessibility equipment for people living with a neuromuscular disorder.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Clients of Muscular Dystrophy Canada living with a neuromuscular condition.
Find local patient lifts installers
Pick your city to see patient lifts installers that serve your area, or use the form to request quotes and a Senior Care Path advisor will gather options from vetted installers near you, free and no obligation.
- TorontoON
- VancouverBC
- CalgaryAB
- OttawaON
- EdmontonAB
- VictoriaBC
- HamiltonON
- LondonON
- MississaugaON
- VaughanON
- BurnabyBC
- OakvilleON
Don't see your city? Request a quote and we'll find installers serving your area.
What to look for in patient lifts
- Floor lift vs ceiling track for the space
- Sling type and weight capacity
- Caregiver training and ease of use
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a floor lift and a ceiling track lift?
- A floor lift is a wheeled frame that rolls up to the bed or chair and lifts the person in a sling, and it can move between rooms. A ceiling track lift runs on a rail fixed to the ceiling, so it takes no floor space and glides along a set path. Floor lifts suit changing needs, while ceiling tracks suit frequent transfers in fixed spots like the bedroom and bathroom.
- Does the government help pay for a patient lift in Canada?
- Often, yes, because lifts are clearly medical equipment. Provincial assistive-device programs, Veterans Affairs, and private insurance may cover part of the cost, and an installed ceiling track can qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit. A doctor or occupational therapist usually needs to assess and recommend it first.
- Do we need a professional to fit a patient lift?
- A portable floor lift can often be used at home after a proper demonstration, but a ceiling track must be professionally installed into the structure. An occupational therapist should also assess the person and choose the right sling and lift. Correct fitting and the right sling are what keep every transfer safe.
- Can one caregiver use a patient lift alone?
- Many electric floor and ceiling lifts are designed for a single trained caregiver, which is part of their value. Some heavier or more complex transfers are safer with two people, so follow the assessment advice. Proper training on your specific lift and sling makes solo use much safer.
- How do I choose the right sling for a patient lift?
- The sling must match the lift, the person's size, and the type of transfer, such as toileting or full-body. The wrong size or style can be uncomfortable or unsafe, so this is where professional advice really pays off. An occupational therapist will fit the sling and show you how to position it every time.
- How much space does a patient lift need at home?
- A floor lift needs room to roll up to the bed and clearance under the bed for its legs, plus space to turn. A ceiling track needs a suitable ceiling and a clear path along the rail. An installer or therapist can check your rooms and confirm what will fit before anything is ordered.
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