1. Duration of use
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If you or your loved one require a long-term patient bed, an extended-use bed (long-term care bed) may be beneficial. They are built to last, operate quietly, are designed for comfort, and often come in more colors and styles to match the décor of your home. For more temporary use, such as to recover from illness or surgery, a more standard hospital bed will do. Medical-surgical beds are available for people that require long term, intensive, around-the-clock care.
2. Amount of time spent in bed
If you or your loved one spend more than 15 hours a day in bed, you may want to choose a full electric bed. Manual and semi-electric beds are built for short-term use and tend to be less durable than full electric beds. The longer you spend in bed, the more likely you are to develop bed sores. Full electric beds allow you to change positions regularly to help alleviate pressure points on the body. This is also important when selecting mattresses.
3. Weight capacity of the bed
The specifications for the bed may indicate a weight capacity for the patient and for the bed itself. When determining weight capacity, be sure to factor in the weight of the user, mattress, bed linens, and anything else that would sit on top of the bed.
4. Mobility of user
There are many mobility requirements to consider when choosing a bed. Are you able to get in and out of bed by yourself? Do you need a bed that lowers when you are getting up? Are you able to sit upright on your own? Are you completely immobile? Your local mobility expert will consider all these questions and more when selecting the right hospital bed for you.
A long-term care bed may be better suited for users with less mobility that require more assistance. An electric bed may be the best option for patients that cannot operate a hand crank. Options such as footboard attendant controls may also be useful for patients that require caregiver assistance if they can’t operate buttons or levers themselves. For patients that are prone to falling out of bed, the solution may be a bed that can be lowered to less than 10″ (bed deck to floor height).
Buying a hospital bed is not something you have likely given much thought about until you have to. Whether you are buying a hospital bed for the home of a loved one or yourself, its not a simple decision to make.
The considerations you use when buying something can be very different than if you were renting. In a recent blog, we talked about the Top 5 Things to Know Before Renting a Hospital Bed. Here, we will outline the most important things to factor into your decision to purchase a hospital bed:
No two people are the same. There are a lot of personal considerations to think about to ensure you choose right bed with the right set of features. Most beds have a standard set of features, but there are also countless additional customizable options you can add based on the persons care needs. Think about:
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On the flip side, its also important to think about the person who will be the primary caregiver, even if its just a family member helping occasionally. Are there specific hospital bed features that the caregiver could use to make it easier for them to provide care?
For example, does a bed that offers a variety of positions make it easier to offer care? Does the bed easily raise up and down to make it easier to help your loved one or yourself transition in and out of bed? Is the caregiver strong enough to use a manually adjusting bed? Is an electric bed a better option?
It is a lot easier for a caregiver to potentially injure themselves if they cannot properly position the bed or if they do not have the right features to use.
The size of the bed can often be overlooked. Hospital beds in general take up more space than most traditional beds. You need to choose a bed that fits the patient comfortably. Do you need a longer or wider than normal bed? You also need to factor in the size of the bedroom. How much space do you have to work with? Where is best to position the bed? Will you need to remove any furniture to get the bed in the best position? Also consider other medical equipment that may also need to be in the room.
While cost is always an important factor when making any type of significant purchase, buying a hospital bed is one area where you do not want to cut corners on quality. The quality of bed you choose can have a direct impact on the patient’s level of comfort. Considering how much use the bed will get and how much it will be used daily, its worth choosing a higher quality option. Research manufacturers and have a list of features you need and don’t need to ensure you are getting a high-quality bed and the best value.
If you are in the market for a hospital bed, you will likely be looking for a mattress to go with it. Much like a mattress for a standard bed, you have a lot of options to choose from. Choose a mattress that is best suited for the person in need. The mattress has one of the biggest impacts on the patient’s overall health and comfort level. The more time they spend in bed daily, the more important it is to invest more into a higher quality mattress.
If possible, buy your mattress and bed from the same supplier/manufacturer to ensure they work well together.
Consider all these factors when comparing your home hospital bed options. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or inquiries about a specific bed type. We offer a wide selection of hospital bed styles as well as accessories such as bed rails and transfer poles.
Read More From Our Blog
Choosing The Right Hospital Bed – Step by Step Guide
The History of the Hospital Beds and Their Development
4 Benefits of Having a Hospital Bed Installed in Your Home
Hospital Beds for Home Use – When Should Your Rent vs. Buy
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