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To speed up a patient’s rehabilitation and enable caregivers to offer a higher quality of care, hospital beds for homes are created with this goal in mind. This thorough buying guide will examine the many kinds of hospital beds for homes, desirable features, the significance of various mattress types, and the top-selling models of home care beds.
The Difference Between A Hospital Bed vs Home Care Bed
The terms “hospital bed” and “home care bed” have often been used interchangeably over the years. To locate the right healthcare bed for a patient, buyers must understand the differences between the terminologies used by various businesses to describe the medical beds they employ in their facilities. A home care bed is also referred to as a Nursing Home Bed or a long-term care bed.
A home care bed shares some similarities with a hospital bed but has some key differences.
- A hospital bed is a specially made bed that was created to satisfy the requirements of a hospital setting.
- Hospital beds usually come in one standard size, whereas home care beds come in different sizes, including larger beds for bariatric residents.
- A standard-sized hospital bed has restricted mobility compared to a homecare bed.
- Hospital and home beds differ in another way because not all home beds automatically come with rails. To add rails to the bed various varieties can be purchased. A home care bed can be equipped with various items, including soft-touch rails, overbed tables, handsets, mattresses, safety locks, and wall bumpers. Each bed can be made to match the resident’s needs by using these bed accessories.
Choose The Right Hospital Bed For Eldery At Home – A Way of Comfort & Stability
Buying a home hospital bed is a significant investment, so it is vital that certain factors are taken into consideration before making the purchase.
Duration Of Bed Usage
Usually, the bed frame distinguishes between longer and shorter-term beds. If you only need the bed for a short time, consider making a budget-friendly buy.
Bed Base
Spring-based beds are good in the short term but will deteriorate with time. Meanwhile, some beds have solid decks or metal slats, which will last much longer. The Competitor II Manual Height Adjustable Bed or the Multi-Height Manual Bed are good, economical options for short-term use.
Some good, long-term options are the Prime care bed models.
Mobility Of the User
The level of assistance the person requires and if the patient can get in and out of bed by themselves is important to consider. The bed features have to facilitate the user’s mobility accordingly. A patient who can transfer themselves and sit up on their own can be benefited from a standard type of hospital bed, whereas an immobile patient may require a bed like the Delta® Pro Homecare Bed System
Size and Weight
This will determine the size and capacity of the bed. A heavier person will require a bariatric bed to support the extra weight and size.
Prime Plus Care Bed Model P750 – supports a weight of 750 lbs.
Lightweight Bariatric Homecare Bed – This bed offers a lightweight frame design and the same strength as other bariatric beds. It is available in 42″, 48″, and 54″ widths, so patients have the required space to recover.
A shorter person may need shortened bed decks, and a taller person might require extended bed decks using extension kits.
The Caregiver
Although many do not pay thought to the physical stamina of the caregiver, it is highly essential to think about the caretaker, especially when it is a friend or family member taking care of the patient. A semi-electric or full-electric bed is the go-to solution if the career cannot operate a manual bed.
Features OF the Hospital Bed for Home
Various models of home care beds offer multiple features and allow customizations to enhance patient comfort, reduce complications and ease the caretaker’s job.
Positioning Of the Bed
All the home care hospital beds have the standard functions of raising and lowering the head and foot ends of the bed. This includes manual and all semi-electric beds. Not all beds offer unique positioning, like the Trendelenburg positions.
Prime Plus Bed Model P2002 – Offers Trendelenburg/Reverse Trendelenburg positioning and lock-out feature provides easy access for position adjustments.
Prime Care Bed Model P903 – Offers Trendelenburg/Reverse Trendelenburg capable with staff control option.
Bed Rails
Whether full or half-length, side rails prevent people from the risk of falling off the bed, especially seniors, children, and people with disabilities. Additionally, bed rails serve as a means of assistance for people with weak physical abilities when getting in and out of bed. Users with limited mobility can turn over, lie down, or sit up while holding onto the rails. Half-rails or full-rails of Drive Medical are available in full-bed packages or can be sold separately.
Bed Controls
It is crucial to think about where the bed’s controls are placed. Do you want access to the controls given to the patient, the caregiver, or both? Bed movement controls can be found on the headboard, footboard, and side rails or with a pendant like the Delta® Ultra-Light 1000, Full-Electric Bed, or the semi-electric bed that has improved, easy-to-use controls. A clip-on pendant is also available in the Prime Plus Bed Model P200, which is mounted on the bed rail with easy reach to operate all adjustments.
The control panel should be easy to reach and operate, allowing the user to adjust the bed’s position and other settings quickly and easily.
Built-in-scale
A built-in scale comes in handy when weight measurements are regularly required in the long term. This could minimize patient repositioning. Prime Plus Bed Model P200 has an integral weight scale option installed onto the bed frame.
Mattress Type
Hospital bed mattresses differ from conventional mattresses because they have additional requirements to promote patient recovery. The lack of a suitable mattress type for the patient’s rehabilitation requirements could worsen their condition. Purchasing the mattress from the same hospital bed vendor would avoid confusion if an issue arises.
Cost and Warranty
Finally, consider the bed’s cost and any warranty or service options that may be available, and make sure to choose a good supplier. While hospital beds for a home can be expensive, it’s important to invest in a high-quality bed that will provide the necessary support and comfort for the user. Look for a bed from a reputable manufacturer with a good warranty and customer service.
Choose a supplier with good value for your purchase that offers prompt delivery and installation services.
Types Of Home Hospital Beds Available:
Manual Hospital Bed
When there is a caregiver to make adjustments to the bed, this manual type of bed is advised. Most of these beds can be positioned uniquely by inclining the head, torso, and knees and declining the feet to make it comfortable for the patient.
Pros
- Least expensive of all beds
- Best for patients who do not require regular changes in position
Cons
- Adds strain on the caregiver due to manual adjustments
- Choices in position are less compared to other electric beds
Examples –
Full Electric Beds
When there is no caretaker, this would be the bed of choice. Fully electric beds come in basic and deluxe varieties and may be fully regulated with the push of a button. The controls elevate the frame’s head, foot, and height.
Pros
- User dependant – no strain on the caregiver to adjust the bed
- Control can be given to the patient when needed – so he does not need assistance.
- Various situations and positioning requirements are addressed
Cons
- Most expensive of all beds
Examples-
- Drive Full Electric Low Height Bed
- Delta® Ultra-Light 1000 Full-Electric Low Bed – In the event of a power failure, a 9-volt battery, located in the motor, can lower the head and foot sections nine times
Semi-Electric Beds
When there is a part-time caregiver, this bed could be an alternative to a manual bed.
Pros
- Adjustments to head and foot placements are user-independent:
- Provides good comfort
Cons
- Height adjustment is manual – using a hand crank.
Examples-
- Semi-Electric Bed (Single Crank)
- Delta® Ultra- Light 1000, Semi-Electric Bed: In the event of a power failure, a 9-volt battery located in the motor can lower the head and foot sections nine times
- Competitor II Semi-Electric Height Adjustable Bed
Long-Term Care Beds
These beds are ranked first amongst the rest, extremely durable, and offer advanced options for positioning the patient at unique angles.
Pros
- User independent
- Long-term use
- Provides good comfort
Cons
- Higher cost
Examples-
Bariatric Hospital Beds
It supports a large weight capacity and is extremely durable. They have the same amenities as a fully electric bed.
Pros
- Long-term use
- Electric adjustability enables the patient to change positions without having to depend on a caregiver.
- Provides good comfort
- Wider with a more durable frame
- Supports weight up to 1000lbs
Cons
- Higher cost
- Difficult to move around
Examples-
Final Word – How To Choose A Hospital Bed For Home
The best hospital bed for you or your loved one for home care depends on your individual needs and preferences. Take the time to research and compare different models that we have available, and choose a home hospital bed that offers the right combination of features, durability, and cost for your situation. We ensure that all our products address the unique needs of our clients, offering them quality, long-lasting services.
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