You would also agree that many factors go into your decision to buy or rent a medical bed for your home or hospital. For the safety of both the patient and caregiver, the bed will help patients maintain their independence, autonomy, and quality of life. You may also question how to cover the cost of a hospital bed at home.
Here is what you need to know.
When to Consider Buying a Medical Bed
Most people who rent or buy a hospital or medical bed for home use do so because they care for someone with a temporary physical condition that makes the bed a necessity. Or you may need it if you are caring for someone with dementia.
Many patients who have sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury or a brain injury first go to a rehabilitation facility when they get out of the hospital. Their condition is not too good to carry out activities independently. Such patients only go home from rehab when they have all the equipment they need at home. So, in most cases, if someone is considering a hospital bed or medical bed for home, it is because the person is dealing with something other than a catastrophic illness or acute injury.
Below are some questions you need to answer before you purchase a medical bed.
- Does your patient need to sleep with the head or feet elevated?
- Are you providing incontinence care or bathing care?
- Are you concerned about keeping yourself and the patient safe?
- Does the patient need help while getting in and out of bed?
If your answer to these questions is yes, it is worth looking into a hospital bed that will provide mechanical lift assistance.
Medical Bed – Help With Home Care
A hospital bed at home is not just beneficial for the person who sleeps in it. At the same time, it can also save caregivers from musculoskeletal injuries. You should note that the patient’s and caregiver’s safety should be your number one concern.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, many people working in healthcare occupations often sustain musculoskeletal injuries compared to others.
When someone becomes so debilitated that they are bed-bound, caregivers often bend over beds to assist with activities like bathing, changing, eating, and other similar tasks. Therefore, a medical bed can relieve strain for caregivers as the entire bed is raised to a height that will enable appropriate patient care.
In such scenarios, hospital beds can indeed prevent injuries. A medical bed can be controlled by the patient and improve quality of life and support a sense of independence. Hence, you should purchase a bed that your patient can operate on.
Choosing the Right Medical Bed
All hospital beds support the patient in positions in which they are comfortable, and a regular bed cannot support them. The main difference between types of hospital beds is – the position they can achieve.
Electric Beds
As you are aware, fully electric beds use electrical controls to raise and lower the head. You can adjust the foot and the height of the bed. But note that these beds tend to be quite expensive.
Semi-Electric Beds
These beds use electrical controls to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed. But apart from the electric controls, they also have a manual mechanism that adjusts the height of the bed. They typically cost less.
Manual Beds
These manual beds use a hand crank to raise and lower the head, foot, and height of these beds. These beds are the least expensive option, but you can find them for less value.
Bariatric Hospital Beds
The weight limit for a standard hospital bed is quite high. Bariatric beds are usually designed to support people whose weight exceeds the limit – that a standard hospital bed can hold. Moreover, these beds are longer and wider and often cost more than your standard hospital beds.
Considering Height and Width
Most hospital beds weigh more and are more comprehensive than your regular beds. Meanwhile, you can adjust some to be higher or lower than traditional beds.
It is important to note that a bed that can get closer to the ground is usually safer for people with specific diagnoses like cognitive issues. Having the bed lowered at night with a fall mat by the bedside would decrease the chance of serious injury for such patients.
How To Choose a Medical Bed for Home Care
Hospital beds come in a wide variety of designs, styles, and sizes to meet the needs of your loved ones at home. You should pay special attention to ensure that hospital bed features closely match the needs of your loved ones. It is vital to prepare a list of which hospital bed features are most important -so that you can choose wisely and stay within budget.
Things to consider when choosing a hospital bed for home.
1. Power Features
A complete electric hospital bed control will enable your loved ones and caregivers to adjust the bed frame. At the same time, you can also change the head and foot with push button controls.
These semi-electric hospital beds will allow your head and foot of the bed to be raised and lowered with just a push of a button on the remote control. Note that the height of the bed frame might be fixed in one position, or you can adjust it with a manual crank – depending on the model you are using.
Note that semi-electric beds are more economical than fully electric beds. But the fixed bed frame height might make providing care to your loved ones more difficult.
2. Size & Weight Capacity
Remember that weight capacity is one of the most important considerations when choosing a hospital bed for a loved one. There could be severe injury if the bed frame collapses due to excess weight.
Note that bariatric beds are designed to hold up to a specific weight safely. They are ideal for comfortably accommodating larger and heavier patients. The weight capacity and additional width might allow your family members to sit on the bed if needed.
3. Bed Frame Movement
As you might have noticed, some hospital bed frames are set at a fixed height. In contrast, others can be adjusted to higher and even lower positions as required. You may need to change the bed frame to the best size for your loved ones to get in and out of bed comfortably.
Most of these high-low beds have a height range of approx 8” to 20” so that you can lower the mattress nearly to the floor. This feature is helpful for those who might roll out of bed or try to get up without asking for assistance.
Different positions will allow the bed frame to tilt so that your patient’s head is down and the feet are elevated. It can be helpful when you want to raise the head of your loved ones. The reserve is also possible when you want to keep the head elevated. It is beneficial for some who have shortness of breath or tube feeding.
4. Side Rail & Grab Bar Options
You can use full-length side rails pads to help protect your loved ones from injury due to seizures. Grab bars and half-length side rails will provide support for your loved ones as they can easily reposition in the bed. These rails can also provide stability when they want to get in and out of bed. It is important to note that side rails and grab bars must be securely attached to the bed frame as it prevents injury.
5. Headboard & Footboard Options
You can find hospital bed heads and footboards in various shapes and finish colors to fit into any décor easily. You will have to mount the head and footboards securely to the bed frame so that an overhead trapeze assist bar can be used if required. The footboard might also be used to support pumps for air mattresses or during venous therapy.
What Other Medical Bed Accessories You May Need?
Bed rails
Bed rails or side rails come as accessories. It is a good idea for anyone at risk of falling out of bed. They are effective in preventing accidental tumbles out of bed.
Bed rails usually come in half and full lengths. Half-length side rails are ideal for those who have the mobility to get out of bed unassisted.
Full-length side rails are primarily for those who need assistance. These rails also prevent the patient from falling out of bed.
Sheets
There are no specific fitted sheets for hospital bed mattresses, you may try the standard sizes for your medical bed. Just tuck in the extra sheets at the sides so that they do not interfere with the bed adjustment or side rail mechanism.
Tables
Rolling tables or overbed tables often make tasks easier for bed-bound patients. They usually extend over the bed, and many have adjustable heights. Some tables even tilt. A table can add to the patient’s comfort and well-being, whether eating, reading, or writing.
Trapeze
It helps shift position in the bed, or you can also take its help in getting in and out of bed. Trapeze bars can either be attached to a stand or to the bed.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a hospital bed for your loved one is never an easy task. Therefore, you must consider your loved one’s needs to make the right choice. You should pay special attention to the bed’s safety and positioning features. Moreover, you should also pay special attention to bed accessories and affordability. The most important thing is to speak with your doctor about specific needs before obtaining a medical bed for home use.
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