Choosing the right hospital bed for home care is an important decision. It will largely determine comfort, security, and level of living that both the patient and their caregivers will experience. Whether one is caring for the recovering patient from a surgery or a patient with long-term medical needs, the right bed goes a great way in alleviating his or her day-to-day life. Suppose you are located in Toronto or any of the surrounding areas such as Brampton, Mississauga, or Vaughan. Here are some of the things to consider when choosing a hospital bed for home care.
First Evaluate the Patient’s Needs
Start by analyzing the patient’s medical condition and mobility level. For short recovery, a simple manual or semi-electric bed will do. Where long-term care or high-level immobility is involved, however, fully electric hospital beds are usually preferred, allowing adjustments to be made easily to the position of the head, foot, and height of the bed with almost no effort — great for comfort and caregiver assistance
Selection of the Bed Type
Three main kinds of hospital beds exist:
- Manual Beds – They are adjusted by means of hand cranks. They do have the advantage of cost but are strenuous to adjust.
- Semi-electric beds use electric controls for head and foot adjustment but require manual effort for height adjustment.
- Fully Electric Beds – A remote controls all functions to provide the greatest ease of use and safety.
- Fully electric beds are perfect for home use, especially if caregivers are assisting on a regular basis.
Check Safety Features
Safety first! The hospital bed should have safety rails that grip firmly, launderable locking wheels, and emergency backup systems. In Canada, they also must meet Health Canada safety guidelines to prevent entrapment risks. Make sure the mattress fits properly on the bed frame so that there are no gaps that might cause a hazard.
4. Consider the Mattress Type
A good mattress prevents pressure sores and increases comfort. You can choose among foam, gel, and alternating pressure mattresses. Decide on the model by weight, medical condition, and duration of time in bed for the user.
5. Measure Your Space
Before buying or renting, be sure the bed will comfortably fit inside the home. Keep in mind the size of the room and doorway, and consider if there will be space for medical equipment or caregivers to maneuver around.
6. Go to a Trusted Provider
There are countless excellent providers that rent and sell hospital-type beds across GTA, who might also assist with delivery and installation. Make sure your provider warrants or guarantees its beds, that the rental beds are cleaned and sanitized, and that technical assistance is available on a continuing basis.
Closing Remarks
Selecting among Toronto hospital beds for home use does not have to be too overwhelming. If the patient is the focal point and bed features, safety, and space are assessed, selecting an informed option that can provide peace of mind, and better care at home can be achieved.