Hospital beds for home use: enhance your loved one’s mobility and comfort at home

Hospital beds for home use rental: enhance your loved one’s mobility and comfort at home

To take care of a family member at home is truly a sign of devotion and compassion. Taking care of a family member also includes providing him/her with mobility and making them feel comfortable. When a family member feels comfortable, they are generally content. However, a family member’s mobility directly relates to their overall health and level of independence.

Do not turn your home into a clinical unit. While some adjustments and equipment may need to be purchased, you can still create a safe space for a family member to live, receive treatment, and maintain their level of independence.

A sound base: selecting the right bed

The single best purchase to make for a family member that will be mostly confined to a bed is a hospital bed for home use. A standard hospital bed does not accommodate the same medical needs as a bed designed specifically for the use by people who spend most of their time in bed.

Adjustable beds – providing independence

An adjustable bed hospital for home use allows the user to elevate their head (in Fowler position) to facilitate easier breathing, eating, reading and other functions. Elevating the feet (in Trendelenburg position) helps with circulation and reduces swelling.

Bed sores are prevented using pressure relieving mattresses

In addition to hospital beds, pressure relieving mattresses (air, foam, or gel) are required to prevent pain-ful and potentially deadly bed sores (pressure ulcers).

Elevate safety and convenience

Changing the height of the bed allows caregivers to assist Patients with getting in and out of the bed (transferring) much safer and requires less work and assistance from the caregiver.

Transferring safely & moving around masterfully

Most falls occur while transitioning from the hospital bed to a chair or to the bathroom. Equipment can ensure a safe transition and protect a patient’s dignity.

Ceiling patient lifts (movable or stationary)

For those with significant mobility issues, a ceiling mounted or mobile patient lift can allow one caregiver to safely move Patients without excessive strain on either the caregiver or the patient.

Gait Belts

These Gait Belts are basic, reliable, and sturdy, allowing the caregiver to securely grasp onto a patient as they walk, to provide additional support for balance as they perform transfers or walk.

Transfer boards (& sheets)

Transfer boards/sheets bridge the gap between different surfaces (bed/sofa/chair/wheelchair etc.) and enable Patients to smoothly slide across these spaces with minimal effort.

Creating an accessible home environment

Now that you’ve looked at your home from your loved ones’ perspective, remove potential obstacles and hazards.

Clear pathways:

Remove all throw rugs, clutter and loose electric cords from all paths.

Installation of handrails and support railings:

There is no question regarding safety. Install handrails in the bathrooms next to toilets and showers/tubs. Also consider adding support railings for added stability while entering/exiting the hospital bed.

Consider adding a Ramp

If there are stairs leading up to the front entrance of your home, install a permanent or temporary Ramp to ensure continued accessibility for the outside world.

Adding comfort to all aspects

Comfort extends beyond physical; it encompasses emotional and environmental elements as well.

Good sitting chairs and couches

Position furniture (chairs/couches) so that it is easily accessible to sit or stand. Cushions should be firm and lumbar support should be adequate. A power-lift recliner could be an excellent way for your family member to enjoy comfort and maintain their independence.

Control over room temperature

Patients often get chilly quickly. Provide soft blankets close at hand and be certain the temperature in the room is comfortable and able to be controlled by your family member.

Making the environment their own

Friends/family members surrounding your family member with pictures, having books nearby for them to read while laying in hospital bed, having items at their bedside table that are meaningful, etc…only soothes the mind when the body is comfortable.

Support gentle activity/mobility

Mobility doesn’t just mean being transferred from Place to Place. Maintaining muscle mass and blood flow.

Range of motion (rom) exercising

Even while in bed or sitting, rom Exercises can help increase range of motion while helping avoid contracting muscles/stiffness. A physical therapist can help develop an exercise program based on a patient’s individual needs.

Walking frequently and briefly

If possible, encourage movement while strolling around the house with assistance if needed (walker or cane), and under supervision. Focus on movement over length.

Staying engaged

Encourage Patients to engage in various forms of creative expression such as gardening from a seated position, puzzle completion, or small art projects. These types of activities help combat boredom/depression, enhance mobility and comfort levels.