The most effective hospital beds for at-home care

Many elements seen on hospital beds are not often found on a bed in a person’s home. After all, hospital beds are made for comfort and to make medical treatment easier. When it comes to buying a new bed for our own bedroom, most of us prioritise style and comfort.

There are times, however, when hospital-style beds are required for usage at home. Long-term patients, those who have recently been discharged from the hospital, and those who want to receive palliative care at home rather than at a hospice may all require more support and functionality than a regular bed can provide.

In this post, we’ll show you how to choose a home care bed and show you some of the best hospital beds for home care.

Go directly to…

• Obtaining a hospital bed in the comfort of one’s own home
• Features that are required for at-home hospital beds
• Other aspects to think about
• The best hospital-style bed on a budget
• The best bed for standing support
• The most comfortable hospital bed

How to get a hospital bed delivered to your home

Anyone in Canada can purchase a hospital-style bed to use at home. You don’t need a prescription or a doctor’s advice.

Hospital beds, on the other hand, come in a variety of sizes, manufactures, and types. There is no single standard; many types of beds exist to meet the demands of different patients.

So, if you or a loved one thinks having a hospital bed at home may be beneficial, we recommend chatting with a specialist. They can ensure that you have a bed that matches your needs.

There are two major ways to get professional hospital bed advice at home:

1) Consult your primary care physician, practise nurse, or occupational therapist.

You might be eligible for a bed supplied by the NHS or your local government.

Make an appointment with a member of your primary care team. They’ll be allowed to request a hospital bed on your behalf if they believe it’ll help you stay at home for more care and rehabilitation.

This is a wonderful strategy for persons who have recently been released from the hospital or who are currently receiving OT treatment. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the bed. Furthermore, if you only require a hospital bed for a short period of time, they can provide one from an equipment loan store.

One disadvantage is that you may have to wait a long time for your bed. It can take a long time to get through the application procedure.

You also won’t have much control in how the bed looks. Hospital beds provided by social services are frequently larger and more clinical in appearance than those available for purchase.

2) Speak with a company that specialises in care beds.

Purchasing a hospital bed directly from a healthcare provider is the greatest option for many people to support at-home care.

If you’re looking for something specific, we recommend going straight to a provider.

• You don’t have access to a therapist who specialises in occupational therapy.
• You don’t qualify for an NHS bed since you don’t meet the conditions.
• You require a bed to be delivered as soon as possible.
• You want to be able to choose the look and design of your bed.

A good care bed supplier will discuss your issues and areas of need with you before recommending a bed that matches your needs. They might even be able to assist you in obtaining funds from charitable organisations!

Now is the time to seek expert advice.

For many years, Hospital Bed Rental Inc. has provided hospital beds to private persons and occupational therapists. Please contact us if you are wanting to purchase a bed for home care. One of our expert consultants will be pleased to go over your options with you and help you locate the perfect hospital bed for your house.

Characteristics to look for in a hospital bed for at-home care

You don’t need to be concerned about the features if you’re applying for a bed through the NHS or your local council. They will ensure that the hospital bed you select has everything you require.

 If you’re planning to buy your own bed, though, here are a few pointers to help you feel more at ease before you go to a store.

There are specific elements that are required for home care beds, regardless of the style of hospital bed you choose:

Function of profiling

The majority of people who use a specialty bed at home must spend a significant amount of time in bed.

To give superior support and comfort, a profile bed can be modified and repositioned. They don’t have to lie in the same posture all day, which helps to reduce friction and pressure ulcers.

Even without having to transfer onto a chair, the backrest can be raised to allow someone to sit up correctly.

In our Guide to Profiling Beds, you can discover more about how profiling works.

Controls that are simple to use

Any hospital bed utilised in a home setting must have straightforward, easy-to-use controls, whether the user will operate the bed independently or with the assistance of a caregiver.

When they deliver and set up your bed, most suppliers will provide some training. They should also contain a user manual that you may consult if you run into any issues.

However, you want equipment that will be used on a daily basis to be intuitive! Keep an eye out for:

Buttons that are large and well spaced.

Different functions have clear, basic labels.

Emergency stop button is easily accessible.

Other aspects to think about

In a clinical care context, most hospital beds have the following attributes, however they aren’t required in a home setting.

Consider whether these qualities will help the user receive home care before purchasing a hospital-style bed.

If they aren’t required, a more traditional type care bed that looks and feels more homey can be a better choice.

Height Modification

Height can be adjusted in hospital beds. This is particularly useful on a hospital ward since it allows different members of staff to adjust the bed to their preferred height when administering therapy. As a result, they are less likely to suffer from back strain and other problems.

This can still be highly valuable for carers in a home situation. If the same individual gives bedside care every time, they may not sense the need for adaptability.

Height-adjustable beds are also ideal for people who need to transition from their bed to a chair on their own. To make this as simple as possible, the bed may be adjusted to the proper height.

A height-adjustable bed can also be lowered throughout the night if someone is at risk of falling. This reduces the risk of harm while also allowing the bed to be raised to a more normal height during the day. If a person’s bed isn’t permanently lowered, they can see about the room and engage more freely.

There are evident advantages to height-adjustable beds for home usage, but not everyone will profit from them. A divan style profiling bed may be a better alternative if you decide you don’t need height adjustment.

Siderails

In hospitals and nursing homes, siderails are commonly used to protect persons who are at risk of falling out of bed.

People sometimes worry that siderails are excessively limiting or that the user will injure themself while choosing a hospital bed to use at home.

It’s true that using siderails comes with some hazards.

Siderails, on the other hand, are a safe solution when utilised properly.

Alternative fall prevention techniques should always be considered first. For instance, lowering the bed to reduce the risk of harm. You should also consider any other safety precautions that you can take. Adding bed bumpers, for example, provides padding that helps prevent injury or entrapment.

Anyone who is at risk of trying to climb over should avoid using siderails.

For those with dementia, this is a common issue. Adding siderails can make them feel hemmed in, creating anxiety and uncertainty, leading to them attempting to get up and possibly injuring themselves.

If you have any doubts about whether siderails are appropriate for someone, please consult a healthcare professional who can assist you with a risk assessment.

Home’s Top Hospital Beds

The most affordable hospital bed

• Centrella™ Smart Hospital Bed For Rent

• CS7 Series Hospital Bed

• Standard Hospital Bed

• Etude Hospital Bed

Cost of a standard care bed

Electrically adjustable head and foot placement, as well as an up-and-down motion of the bed, are basic features in most care beds. This will assist you in obtaining the most comfortable position possible.

A headboard, footboard, and siderails are usually included with electrically adjustable beds.

Starting at the low end, a basic electrically adjustable bed can cost between £600 and £800. After that, you’ll need to budget around £250+ for the mattress.
This style of care bed is ideal if you don’t care about appearances and just need something that does the job. In this pricing range, the Hospital Bed line has several good, solid care beds.