Sometimes you need to take care of pregnant lady, aging, sick or specially abled members of your family. That is when hospital beds for home use come in pretty handy. They have all the facilities and capabilities of an actual hospital bed that is why they are given such a name. Such hospital beds make available same level of convenience at your home which you would usually get in hospitals.
These days huge number of people are buying hospital beds to take care of their sick or injured family members. Some injuries like leg or hip fracture require you to use hospital beds at home. These beds are more costly as compared to normal beds but then they save you decent money which you would otherwise have to spend on hiring a caregiver.
In this article we would cover various aspects so that in the end you are able to select the best hospital bed for home use.
To help you in making a wise decision in buying the best hospital bed for home, we have reviewed some of the best beds available in the market.
Lucid is one the best brands when it comes to making beds and mattresses. This particular model comes 12" memory foam and an adjustable bed base. It comes folded and very easy to assemble. You simple have to screw on its legs with the help of an Allen wrench.
This hospital bed for home has two USB ports for charging on its both sides. You can adjust the head or foot positions as per requirements.
It has a very beautiful remote which also functions as a flash light besides controlling the bed for its various adjustable positions.
It can withstand the weighing capacity of 750 pounds. Besides this, it comes with a 10 years warranty.
Sometimes it makes noise when you adjust its height, this issue can be solved by using an anti-slip rug.
Invacare Fully Electric Homecare Bed
This is one of the best-selling beds on Amazon. It is fully electric bed which has a capacity of 450 pounds. It is available with half clamp on rails and full clamp on rails.
It can house 6 inches memory foam mattress and includes a waterproof cover for mattress so as to protect the mattress.
Dimensions of this bed are 88×36 inches and sleep surface is about 80"x36". It can also be controlled manually with the help of hand crank in case there is electric supply failure.
This hospital bed is available with 2 years electrical & mechanical warranty and 5 years on its welding. It is a great option if you have senior patients at home.
Classic Brands Upholstered Adjustable Hospital Bed
Classic brand is famous for making best quality mattresses. This hospital bed from Classic is having a large number of ergonomic features which are available at the click of a button.
You can adjust your position in the manner you like. You will feel weightlessness in its zero gravity position. It is just like sleeping on a recliner which reduces the pressure on your lower back. The same position helps you in breathing by reducing the pressure on your heart.
It also has 2 usb charging ports and a wireless remote control. Its dimensions are 75"x79"x15". It comes with 3 years warranty.
Hospital Bed Types
Adjustability is the main feature of these beds. There are following options for adjusting a bed are available.
* Tilting of the entire bed with the head lower or the other direction with the foot lower. This feature is utilized when someone who is experiencing a cardiac problem and needs the feet to be place higher that the heart to improve blood flow to the heart.
* Moving the height of the bed from low rise to high. A fully adjustable hospital bed is one that allows positioning of the head, foot and height if the bed. In a hospital, adjustable bed height is important to both the patient and staff. When a procedure needs to be performed in a patients room (a spinal tap for instance); staff need to be able to adjust the bed up to a level that allows staff to have easy access and viewing to perform the procedure accurately. Staff safety is another reason for adjustable hospital beds. Adjusting the bed to the proper height prevents staff from injuring themselves (such as straining their back).
* Elevating the head of the bed only. The bed can be raised from slightly to an almost ninety degree angle.
* Elevating the foot. Typically the area the patient's knees region is raised or lowered and helps promote circulation and comfort.
So, based on these adjustment options, there are many types of hospital beds. Here are the various types of hospital beds for home use.
Fully Electric Hospital Beds
Fully electric hospital bed is totally powered electrically and sometimes cab be controlled by a remote. You are able to adjust the bed height with remote control. In addition to the remote control, there are buttons available on the side of these beds which a patient can himself use them to control the bed. Operating such beds is very easy with the use of minimal efforts. You can disable the remote as well in case you do not want to use the remote. They are, however, costly as compared to other beds.
Semi Electric Beds
There is a small difference in semi electric hospital beds as compared to fully electric ones as these beds have additional option of manually adjusting the bed with the help of hand crank. These beds come in handy when there is a fault in electronic functions of the bed as you can manually operate them.
Manually Adjustable Beds
Manually adjustable hospital beds do not possess any of the electric features as fully or semi electric beds have. They are required to be manually adjusted in case you need to adjust the height of the bed. In doing so you will have to put in some physical effort.
Low Height Hospital Beds
These are the beds which have much lower height as compared to other beds. They are useful of the patients which are prone to falling from the beds. These are otherwise fully electrically controllable but the extent of height adjustment is limited to smaller heights. These do not come in manually adjustable bed forms.
Bariatric Hospital beds for home use
These beds are suitable of heavy people. They are designed to carry extra weight so that they can accommodate obese people. These are fully electrically controllable and no manual effort is required to operate them. They are larger in size requiring larger mattress. This makes them costlier in comparison to other beds.
Trendelenburg Hospital Beds
In recent times these kinds of beds have become very popular because of the number of options they provide to the user. There are many choices for adjustment of these beds in case the patient is completely immoveable, paralysed or requires a therapy. They have the greatest number of functional features. Besides adjustment od foot and head portion these hospital beds can also be controlled from other parts. They need to be placed in bigger rooms though.
Should I Buy An Electric Hospital Bed?
Electric hospital beds offer some much needed benefits for patients as well as their caregivers.
1. You are able to find the perfect adjustment. It's hard for people to get comfortable and fall asleep, let alone when they are injured. These beds give you a measure of freedom, allowing you to adjust the bed to suit your bodies form.
2. You can higher and lower the entire bed. This is helpful for caregivers when it comes time for medicine or lifting you from the bed.
3. Musculoskeletal Support. Your muscles and bones receive some added comfort when you rest on an electric adjustable bed. Your bones and muscles are also given a bit of support, also helping to keep your body comfortable.
Where and how can you find hospital beds?
There is a very large market for hospital beds for home use. Hospitals must have an ample supply of beds in able to accommodate each room and patients that are greatly injured are sometimes prescribed a hospital bed for home use. Hospitals generally keep the newer models of beds in stock to keep up with the ever changing technology as well as accommodating its patients with the best care possible.
If you are looking for a best hospital bed for your house, there are many ways for you to find the right type and model for your specific needs. There are many places for you to look to find a hospital beds sale to get the lowest price possible.
Contact local hospitals.There are many instances where hospitals will be ridding of their old bed supplies in order to make room for the newer beds that are coming in. If you contact the hospital at the right time, you may be able to purchase used hospital beds. If you are not interested in purchasing the entire bed for fear of infection, you can easily purchase a replacement mattress for the bed, keeping only the frame.
Contact local hospital suppliers.This will be a more expensive method because the products will be new. However, you may be able to find specific models on sale. There are also discount medical suppliers that you may be interested in contacting.
OnlineBuying and selling online has become a common transaction. Many sites offer many photos and videos to inform you with as much knowledge as possible. You can view many different customer opinions and reviews to help inform you on your decision based on other individuals first hand experiences. You can find anything from basic crank hospital beds to hospital restraint beds for sale, all on the World Wide Web. You can browse all of this from the comfort of your home.
Hospital Bed rental: Is It Right For You?
When someone is injured, proper equipment is necessary for them to properly heal. In some instances, large medical equipment (such as hospital beds) is only necessary and used for a limited amount of time. In cases such as this, choosing a hospital bed rental (instead of purchasing one) may be a feasible and frugal option.
When considering the rental of a hospital bed, you should first check with your insurance company to make sure this is a coverable charge. These beds are normally rented from medical supplies companies and are generally accepted for coverage.
How Do I Rent a Hospital Bed?
If you, or a loved one, have been injured and need a hospital bed, there are a few simple steps you should follow to ensure the process goes smoothly.
1. Speak with your physician.Whether or not you qualify will depend on how long you will need the bed (in order to heal) and what type of bed will be necessary. You may also need more than just a hospital bed, which may also be taken into consideration.
2. Contact your insurance company.If the bed is prescribed by your physician, it will likely be covered.
3. Ask for recommendations.Your insurance company may only cover supplies from select companies, so make sure you ask for a list of good candidates. Your physician may already have a supplier in mind, so make sure to consult both.
4. Discuss what options you may need with your doctor.There are many different types of medical beds, make sure you pick the one that will be right for you and your needs. There needs to be a "rental cap", so that you can select from many different available options and the insurance company shall be billed at a standard rate. When choosing a supplier, consider whether or not they do maintenance and repair. It is recommended that you select a supplier that will do maintenance for you so you are not personally responsible.
5. Make a final decision and order your rental bed!Although rental of hospital bed may seem like a fault proof idea, there are some negative aspects. There are many reasons that you should go ahead and purchase the need hospital bed, instead of just renting.
Reasons to Purchase
1. Your bed will be brand new.Many people are disturbed by the idea of a consistently flipped hospital bed. If you do not prefer used hospital beds that has been slept in by other individuals, purchasing a hospital bed instead of renting may be your best option.
2. When finished with the bed, it is easily resold.Hospital beds are always in demand. If you decide you would like to sell the bed once you are healed, you have the option to sell it.
3. You hand pick the features and controls. 4. You will need the bed for a long period of time.If you have had an extensive procedure (such as bariatric surgery), you will need the bed for a longer time than something that is less severe.
Upon weighing the above options, making the choice between a hospital bed rental and purchasing can be made much easier!
So, what are the other items which must a part of your cart while buying a hospital bed for home use? Here are those items:
Protecting Patients and Your Investment With Hospital Bed Pads
Hospitals, institutions and those who own a hospital bed in their private residence need to think about how to protect the patient and the bed itself. Hospital bed pads are normally available in three different kinds. Each of the different types of pad performs a unique function. There are hospital bed pads that go between the sheets and the patient, the sheet and the mattress and between the patient and bed rails.
The Three Types of Hospital Bed Pads
Hospital bed padsThese pads are made to go under the patient (typically their bottom) and on top of the sheets. The pads are to protect the sheets from incontinence episodes, from spills (such as a drink) and seepage of blood or body fluids. It is much easier to simply change a pad from under the person, than to do an entire change of hospital bed sheets. It can be lengthy and strenuous on a patient to change all the sheets, so pads help contribute to patient comfort. If you have a bed in your home, less laundering of sheets can make them last substantially longer as well. Since sheets are typically expensive, this can be a cost savings. The pads are available as the washable and reusable variety or you can order disposable (one use) pads. The disposable pads may be referred to as "chux".
Hospital bed mattress padsHospital bed mattresses are expensive. If soiled with urine, feces, blood or body fluids; you may not be able to get them cleaned or sanitized following a mishap. Due to this a hospital mattress pad is recommended for protection. Mattress pads are available in all bed sizes and a variety of thicknesses. You can launder (and sanitize) the pads. The mattress pad fits over the mattress snugly and under the bottom sheet. The mattress pad may also contribute to patient comfort by absorbing excess heat so the patient does not sweat as much. Extra thick pads also reduce pressure on bony prominences, helping to reduce the incidence of bed sores.
Hospital bed rail padsHospital beds have side rails to help prevent a patient from falling out of bed and to aid the patient in pulling up in the bed. These hard rails can pose a safety hazard to patients who may hit them while in the bed. Reasons a patient might hit the bed rails include seizures, attempting to get out of bed with the rails up, flailing their arms and legs against the rails, (to name a few). Hospital bed rail pads are designed to cover and pad the rails to prevent injury. The pads may also prevent pressure sores from forming if the patient's body is pressed up against the rails for too long.
Hospital bed pads are available for purchase from most durable medical equipment companies. A good place to check first is the place you purchased your hospital bed. Other places to look are online medical supply companies and your local hospital. Your local hospital may have used pads that they are replacing with new ones. No matter where you purchase them, they will go a long way to protect the investment you have in your hospital bed.
Hospital Bed Sheets
In home hospital beds are not a cheap outfit to purchase. In fact, once you purchase the bed you need (whether for yourself or a parent); you must also find hospital bed sheets that will fit properly. But, comfort and quality must be thrown into the equation as well.
There are many companies that sell specific types of sheets for hospital bed(s). However, the prices for the varying dimensions of bed linens can vary. For a three piece set, you should look to spend between thirty and fifty dollars. The three piece set will include a fitted sheet for the mattress, a flat sheet to go on top of the fitted sheet, and a standard sized pillow case.
Although hospital linens are specifically sized for adjustable hospital beds, there are ways to avoid the expensive linens and to find cheaper sheets that are equally comfortable (if not more), made with equal quality, and have a cheaper price tag.
Become Familiar with the Mattresses Dimensions
There are multiple different sizes of hospital beds which request you use the specified hospital bed slide sheets. A regular sized twin bed is similar to a regular sized hospital bed, but they are a bit off. The standard twin measures around 39 inches wide and 75 inches in length while your hospital bed is most likely 36 inches wide and 80 inches in length. This causes a sizing issue, so purchasing twin sheets (which will be cheaper) isn't going to work as well as you'd wish.
But, there is a solution! Many people are unfamiliar with extra long twin sizes. These are an almost perfect fit measuring 39 inches wide and 80 inches in length. This gives you enough sheets to cover the bed while also giving you the leeway to adjust the bed as well.
Get a Bargain
Here is a great price cut that many highly appreciate. You can easily transfer to an extra large sized twin sheet set (usually includes a fitted sheet, top sheet, and pillow case) that you can purchase at many discount stores. Implementing this option is a great option for kids. Instead of plain boring hospital sheets, the children are still able to get their favorite colors or cartoon characters, even though they have a "special" bed. This can go along way in helping a child keep a positive attitude even though he/she is ill.
Extra large twin sheets are also an easier way to match your décor as an adult. If you already have a color scheme in your room or home and would like to have coordinating sheets, you can shop at your regular department stores for different styles and colors. This helps you to avoid getting that typical hospital look at home.
There is a larger variety of extra large twin sheets than that of regular hospital bed sheets. You can choose from cotton, flannel, satin, etc. This provides another level of comfort, giving you the freedom to choose the fabric that helps you sleep best.
Hospital bed sheets are an extra added expense. When on a budget, finding an alternative at a lower price may be necessary. Switching from regular hospital bed sheets to extra large twin sheets may be just what you need to save a few extra bucks while also giving you a large variety. The least you can do is to see whether there are any large twin sheets available that you like and what their asking price is. Who knows you might just end up getting something you really like while saving money in the process.
What to do with beds after use? Donating Hospital Beds Made Easy
The most common reason people have a hospital bed is due to the long term care of a love one. After a loved one passes or the beds are no longer required, many people do not know what to do with the large amount of medical equipment they are left with. Some may not feel they can or want to go through the process of selling the equipment. Donating hospital beds (and any other equipment) is easy and a genuine way to honor a loved one.
To assist with donating hospital beds, here is a list of common questions people have:
1. Where can I donate a hospital bed?Many agencies that serve the elderly and disabled will accept your hospital bed donation. Your local county social service office can give you information regarding what agencies handle the donation of medical equipment and used hospital beds. If you have a council on aging, they may be able to take the donation as well.
You can also donate hospital bed to organizations that provide medical help to other impoverished countries. Other countries struggle to provide even the most basic of medical services and with the cost of equipment (like beds); they are often in great need of donations.
2. Is my hospital bed donation tax deductable?Your donation is tax deductable if you give it to a nonprofit organization that is registered with the federal government as such. If you are interested in taking the donation off of you taxes (or estate taxes if applicable); you should inquire with the agency you choose to give the donation to. Most agencies who accept hospital bed donations will have a nonprofit designation. Ask the person who handles the donations for a receipt. You will be required to have it in order to use the donation for tax purposes.
3. Are hospital bed donations sanitary?Generally, when donating hospital beds, you should check the bed to ensure cleanliness. You don’t need to sanitize it, but any visible soiling should be removed. If mattresses are heavily spoiled, it may be best to dispose of it. Adjustable hospital beds for home use are still usable, even without the mattress.
4. Is there really a need for me to donate a hospital bed?Many people are in need of medical equipment and cannot afford it. For a variety of reasons such as no medical insurance or medical insurance that does not cover durable medical equipment are both reasons a person may need a bed. Facilities that offer free medical services are also in need of equipment. They work on a very limited budget, and every donation helps them to serve the needs of those who cannot otherwise afford care and equipment.
5. Can donating hospital beds be done anonymously?Yes, if you are not interested in a receipt for tax purposes, you can make your donation anonymously. Some people would just rather give the donation without any other contact or information. If you would rather do this, your donation should still gladly be accepted.
Durable medical equipment such as hospital beds and accessories are some of the most costly expenses a patient can have. By donating hospital beds it may make the difference in someone having everything they need during their illness.
