My friend’s father was in his final weeks of life. He had been battling terminal cancer, and as his mobility declined, he became bed-bound. Despite the hospice team’s loving care, he developed painful pressure ulcers from prolonged immobility on his back and hips. It was devastating for the family - as if the cancer itself were not cruel enough, he now faced a new source of suffering.

Stories like theirs are far too common. It does not matter what the primary condition is - cancer, ALS, dementia, or another life-limiting illness - no one should have to endure preventable pain.

That belief is what inspired the creation of SideLyer.

Born from Compassion

Developed by a nurse who saw firsthand the toll that repositioning takes on both patients and caregivers, SideLyer was designed to make one of the hardest tasks in care gentler, safer, and more dignified. With a simple press of a button, SideLyer performs gentle motorized repositioning that redistributes pressure to preserve fragile skin.

It is a preventative care innovation rooted in empathy - created not in a lab, but from real caregiving experiences.

Gentle Movement, Greater Comfort

The SideLyer’s motorized design allows caregivers to adjust a patient’s position smoothly and gradually. Movements that once required physical exertion and careful coordination between at least two caregivers can now be done with the touch of a button.

For patients, the motion feels natural and is far less disruptive than a manual turn, helping redistribute pressure that can otherwise cause skin injury. The result is more rest, more comfort, and less anxiety about being moved – especially for the patients with mental decline.

Helping Caregivers Focus on What Matters Most

Caregiving is both a calling and a physical challenge. SideLyer reduces the strain and risk of injury for staff, allowing them to focus on the emotional and relational parts of their work: holding a hand, listening, comforting, and simply being present.

When repositioning becomes easy, care becomes more centered on connection rather than task.

Preserving Dignity and Connection

The SideLyer’s adjustable height and incline allow patients to be gently raised to meet visitors at eye level, to share a meal, or simply to be part of what is happening around them. These moments of eye contact and shared presence are small in time but profound in meaning, maintaining a sense of personhood and inclusion.

Care for the Caregivers, Comfort for the Patient

At its heart, hospice is about love expressed through care. SideLyer was designed to honor that, to bring a sense of ease, dignity, and humanity to one of the most tender stages of life.

Because caring well for those at the end of life also means caring for those who help them along the way.

To learn more about how SideLyer supports comfort, dignity, and caregiver wellbeing in hospice settings, visit sidelyer.com