care & love
When a family or a care facility starts planning how to move a patient safely, the conversation almost always turns to lifting equipment. Two names tend to come up from very different directions. Guldmann, a Danish manufacturer, is widely known for ceiling-mounted hoist systems that glide patients along overhead rails. Mona Care, a life care equipment platform, takes a different route with mobile patient transfer devices and a full range of care equipment. Both aim to protect caregivers and keep patients comfortable, but they solve the same problem in fundamentally different ways.
This article compares the two approaches honestly: what each one involves, where each one shines, and how to decide which fits your home or facility.
Guldmann has built its reputation on ceiling hoists. A lifting module such as the GH1 is mounted on rails fixed to the ceiling or wall, and the patient is supported in a sling while the module travels along the track. Because the system sits overhead, it takes up no floor space and lets a single caregiver carry out transfers with very little physical effort. The modular rails can be configured to cover one room or connected across several rooms, with unsupported spans of up to 8 metres, and the GH1 module handles users weighing up to 255 kg.
The strengths of this approach are well documented. Ceiling lifts reduce the strain, over-exertion and injuries that caregivers commonly experience, transfers are smooth and predictable, and the equipment is always in place and ready to use. Guldmann systems are also built to last, with the company citing a service life of 15 years or more.
The trade-offs are just as real. A ceiling lift requires professional installation and a structural assessment, and it represents a significant upfront investment — a basic single-room system typically starts around €4,500. Once installed, it is fixed in place. If the patient moves to another room, another floor, or another home, the system cannot simply follow.
Mona Care approaches patient transfer from the opposite direction. Its Hug moving device is a mobile patient transfer and mobility assistance device. Instead of being built into the building, it moves with the caregiver and can be used in any room — bedroom, bathroom, or living area — with no installation and no structural work. For many families searching for a patient lift, this flexibility is the deciding factor.
A mobile transfer device can be introduced quickly, stored when not in use, and relocated if care needs change. It also carries a much lower entry cost than a professionally installed ceiling system, which matters for families paying out of pocket. For renters, in particular, a device that leaves no trace on the building is often the only practical option.
Mona Care is not limited to transfer devices. As a platform that works directly with producers, it offers a broader ecosystem: electric multifunction nursing beds with back lifting, leg lifting, left and right turning, and in-bed toilet functions; lower limb rehabilitation exoskeletons (Bear Adult, Rabbit Kid, and Gait Assist) certified to IEC 60601; washing robots for bathing and cleaning; and walking robot and wheelchair solutions. This matters because safe patient handling rarely stops at the transfer itself — the same household often needs a bed, a lift, and rehabilitation support together.
| Factor | Guldmann Ceiling Hoist | Mona Care Hug Moving |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Professional installation and structural assessment required | None — ready to use in any room |
| Upfront cost | High; basic single-room systems typically start around €4,500 | Lower entry cost |
| Flexibility | Fixed in place once installed | Portable, moves between rooms and homes |
| Floor space | None taken up | Requires some storage space |
| Caregiver effort | Very low — the overhead motor does the work | Low to moderate — equipment is positioned by the caregiver |
| Best suited for | Facilities and fixed care rooms with heavy daily use | Homes, rentals, and settings where flexibility matters |
There is no universal winner — the right answer depends on the setting. Choose a ceiling hoist if you are outfitting a facility, a dedicated care room, or a home where the patient will stay in the same place for years and transfers happen many times a day. The low caregiver effort and smooth, repeatable transfers justify the installation cost over time.
Choose a mobile device if you need a solution now, if the patient moves between rooms, if you rent, or if you are not ready to commit to a structural installation. For many households, the best patient lift for home use is not a ceiling system at all but a device that follows the caregiver from room to room. The two approaches also combine well: some families install a ceiling lift in the bedroom and keep a mobile device for everywhere else.
One advantage of working with Mona Care is that the pieces fit together. A typical home care setup might pair a Hug moving device for transfers with an electric multifunction nursing bed for positioning and comfort, and — where rehabilitation is the goal — a lower limb exoskeleton robot for gait training. Buying from a single platform that works directly with producers means consistent quality, competitive pricing, and one point of contact for questions.
Guldmann and Mona Care answer the same question — how to move a patient safely — with two very different philosophies. Guldmann's ceiling hoists are the gold standard for fixed, high-use environments. Mona Care's mobile transfer devices offer flexibility, lower cost, and immediate availability, backed by a broader range of care equipment.
If you are weighing the options, the practical first step is to map out where transfers will happen, how often, and what your budget allows — then talk to a supplier who can walk you through both paths. Mona Care is happy to answer any questions about patient transfer devices, nursing beds, and rehabilitation equipment. Reach the team at inquiry@mona-care.com or via WhatsApp at +86 134 8093 2349.