Hospital Bed

Hospital Beds for Home Use: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

By kelingmedical

If a loved one or patient is being cared for at home over a long period of time, then finding the right hospital bed can do wonders for the patient and caregiver. Hospital beds for home are unlike home beds in that they have more specialized support, comfort and safety features specific to the medical condition. Whether your loved one has surgery, is living with a chronic disease or simply needs extra support as they grow older, the proper hospital bed can put them at ease.

Here we will explain in details all you need to know about choosing the best hospital bed for home use such as what kind of hospital bed to choose, what features are needed, and how to choose the best hospital bed. What we will also discuss is how these beds improve the comfort of the patient as well as the caregiver’s mobility, with all their needs being catered for.

Why Buy A Hospital Bed To Use At Home?
The right hospital bed to take home is one of the best things you can do for patient and caregiver. There are many advantages to these beds which traditional beds just cannot provide. Here’s why hospital beds are so important to home care:

Improved Comfort for Patients
Hospital beds have recliner function so patients can alter the position of the bed in a way that is optimal for them. These beds are most convenient for those patients who have pain, difficulty breathing or swelling, as they allow you to raise and lower the head and foot. Whether it’s to help the patient sit up so they can breathe better, or to elevate the legs so they are less swollen, the freedom of the bed is invaluable.

Enhanced Safety
For patients at risk of falls or accidents, security is paramount. You can find home use hospital beds with safety features like side rails that are adjustable and wheels that can be locked. Side rails keep patients from falling out of bed, and lockable wheels keep the bed afloat so it can’t move or be moved. A majority of hospital beds can also be height adjustable so caregivers don’t have to bend or strain to help their patients.

Convenience for Caregivers
For caregivers, hospital beds make life easier. Thanks to remote controls or cranks that can be easily controlled by caregivers, the bed’s location can be moved according to the patient’s needs, without them having to lift or move it. This is especially handy for those caregivers who might be doing a lot of lifting or working 24/7. Hospital beds are a way of facilitating more effective, less physical caregiving by reducing physical work.

Space for Medical Equipment
Beds at a hospital can take most kinds of medical instruments patients need, like oxygen tank, feeding tube or IV. This area around the bed may be built so that this kind of equipment can be easily reached by the caregivers, who are able to take care of the patient’s needs better.

Hospital Beds Types At Home.
There are different kinds of hospital beds for the home which suits different needs. If you understand the distinction between these types, then you’ll know which one is the right one for the patient.

Manual Hospital Beds
The simplest and cheapest are manual hospital beds. These beds demand caregivers to push a hand crank that turns the bed’s height or head, feet or height at a given time. They are not as functional as the electric beds, but they are also very useful and are great for patients who don’t require frequent changes.

Electric Hospital Beds
Electric hospital beds are electric powered and provide head, feet, and height control with remote. They are bed that can be easily repositioned by the caregiver on a push of a button, perfect for patients who have to get changed often or have mobility issues. Electric beds come in handy in a long-term hospitalized condition where patients want comfort and convenience.

Semi-Electric Hospital Beds
Half-electric hospital beds have the best of both worlds — manual and electric. The head and foot regions of the bed are controllable with the remote, but you have to manually raise or lower the bed. These beds are great beds with the benefits of electrically adjusted beds without the premium cost of all-electric beds. Semi-electric beds are a nice compromise when a patient wants some adjustability but not everything that comes with a fully electric bed.

Bariatric Hospital Beds
Bariatric hospital beds are made for the big people who weigh more and can support more weight compared to a regular hospital bed. These beds are made from heavier material to offer stability and safety while still comfortable and durable for a patient who is a heavy weight.

What You Should Look For When Buying A Hospital Bed at Home Here are the Top Things to Look For.
The right hospital bed for home requires some key features to be considered. All of these attributes will make sure that the bed can accommodate the medical requirements of the patient, is simple for caregivers to use, and will give them the comfort and safety they require. Among the features you want, the best is:

Adjustability
Adjustability is what really differentiates hospital beds from any other bed. Hospital beds are configured with the patient’s head and feet positioned at optimum comfort level, but also with the height of the bed. A mobile bed can help if the patient needs to sit up for meals or sleep with their legs up in order to keep swelling down. Flexible and adjustable beds can be made to suit all types of illnesses.

Side Rails
You need side rails to avoid falls. They keep patients secure who can’t walk by themselves or might fall out of bed. A lot of hospital beds are equipped with height-adjustable side rails that can be raised or decreased by caregivers. Even some beds come with side rails that slide out completely for easy patient access.

Lockable Casters
You need casters (or wheels) to lift the bed on occasion. Locking casters hold the bed in place while you are making adjustments or when the patient is lying in it. The locking feature helps to stop tripping and give stability.

Compatibility with Mattresses
: If you buy a hospital bed, check whether it has pressure relieving mattresses. Those who are bedridden for a long time are more likely to suffer from pressure ulcers. These can be avoided with special foam, air, or gel mattresses that distribute the pressure more uniformly. The bed has to be large enough to fit the chosen mattress and patient.

Ease of Use
You should have an easy bed, whether manual, semi-electric, or electric. With electric beds, think about what button or remote you have to adjust it with. Just be sure that the bed can be easily turned so caregivers and patients aren’t fucked. It should also be easy to use and not so difficult to crank with a manual bed.

Weight Capacity
Every hospital bed has a weight limit, so make sure to pick one that will hold the weight of the patient. Standard hospital beds are rated for 350-450 pounds, and bariatric beds for greater than 1,000 pounds. Check the weight capacity to be sure the bed will work for the patient.

Size
The sizes of hospital beds are standard twin, full, and bariatric. Ensure to get a bed that can comfortably be positioned in the room and has enough legroom. Measure before buying to make sure the bed will fit in and still have space for other furniture and assistive devices.

Conclusion
Home health bed is the key to high quality home care for your loved one. If you’re taking care of an elderly family member, nursing a patient after surgery or a chronic illness, a hospital bed can help make the patient more comfortable, safer and well-nourished.

You will learn about the different hospital beds, their features like adjustability, safety and user-friendliness to select the best bed that is perfect for you at the right price. The right hospital bed will make sure that your loved one is treated as best as possible at home with minimal effort from the caregiver and enhance the patient and caregiver’s quality of life.