Top 5 Reasons To Have a Hospital Bed In Your Home
Top 5 Reasons To Have a Hospital Bed In Your Home
They say that getting a good mattress is one of the best investments you can make. You spend over a third of your life sleeping, so naturally, improving the quality of your bed improves the quality of your life.
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Seniors, especially seniors with disabilities, should consider getting a bed that suits their long-term needs, especially if they plan to age in place or spend their golden years in the comfort of their homes. According to the AARP, 76% of Americans over 50 want to age in place, and 77% say they want to live in their current community as long as possible.
If you’re one of those people, buying a hospital bed for your home can be an extremely effective way to improve your mobility and independence. If you’re a caregiver or the family member of a senior with long-term health or mobility issues, it can be a fantastic way to significantly improve the comfort and safety of your patient or loved one.
Hospital Beds Can Improve Comfort
Having a comfortable bed directly impacts the quality of your sleep. According to Sara Elizabeth Benjamin, M.D., a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep, everyone has different physical needs that factor into what makes a bed comfortable for them.
As you grow older, your physical needs change. Manufacturers design hospital beds to be not only comfortable but modular; elevation near the head, feet, and back is usually adjustable, so they can relieve pressure on the body while supporting it with ease. Some are even specially designed to be comfortable for people with painful long-term conditions, such as paralysis, chronic pulmonary disease, and respiratory issues, as well as serious injuries. Also, not all home hospital-style beds are necessarily designed to look like hospital beds; some are designed to look like regular beds, so there’s no need to feel self-conscious.
Not only is the bed itself comfortable to sleep and lie in, but it’s also easier for caregivers to give essential medical care, which makes potentially uncomfortable procedures a lot more painless for both the patient and the caregiver.
Hospital Beds Can Improve Mobility
As we get older, getting in and out of bed becomes more of a challenge without assistance, especially for those who want to age in place. This process is called “deconditioning,” and it’s a normal, if unpleasant, process that happens to everyone. If you have mobility or health issues that make it hard to fall or stay asleep, hospital beds can help a lot.
Hospital beds often come with features like adjustable height and assist rails, making it easier to get in and out of bed independently. This is a crucial feature for many hospital beds, and most can be adjusted via remote by the user without the need for a caregiver or family member.
Because they’re designed to be sturdy, they can even help seniors be more mobile in less obvious ways: for example, through exercise. Handrails and similar features on a hospital bed can be used to keep balance while stretching or exercising. For those whose physical condition allows them to do so, exercising can help improve mobility by increasing blood flow, maintaining flexibility, and decreasing the likelihood of injury related to falls and other hazards commonly found in the home.
When paired with mobility aids like wheelchairs, hospital beds can enable some seniors to move more easily from their beds to other rooms of their homes without assistance, even if they have medical conditions or disabilities that would usually keep them from doing so.
Increased Independence WIth a Hospital Bed
Aging in place isn’t ideal or even medically advisable for some people. That said, those who do often remain happier and healthier for longer.
For many older adults, staying in their home as opposed to a retirement community is preferable because it makes them feel more comfortable to be in familiar surroundings. It also gives them a sense of security and control over their lives, which is highly beneficial for maintaining their mental health. Hospital beds for the home enable seniors to remain in their homes by empowering them to stay mobile and accessible for various medical treatments, allowing them to retain their independence.
Being able to get in and out of bed without assistance means more autonomy. It also means, potentially, more privacy; if you don’t need assistance getting in and out of bed, there’s less need for a caregiver to work late hours at your home.
Hospital beds usually come with a remote control that allows users to independently adjust the bed to improve their comfort level. Most home hospital beds also come with wheels that can be moved easily. This makes it easier to perform certain medical procedures at home, reducing the need for residency in a hospital or retirement community.
Hospital Beds Decrease Fall Risks
Having a hospital bed at home doesn’t just mean more independence and comfort. Home hospital beds provide added safety in addition to comfort, and there are a lot of different types to choose from depending on what kind of features you need.
According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, and adults over the age of 60 tend to be the most vulnerable to injuries related to falls. In addition to this, according to a physician at Weill Cornell Medical College, most falls happen in the home. Improving the safety of a senior’s bed can go a long way in preventing these unfortunate yet preventable injuries.
The adjustable height features found in most hospital-type beds are designed for safety, comfort, and mobility. Many of these beds include handrails that can be used to hold on to while getting in and out of bed. They can also keep their users from rolling out of bed in the middle of the night.
Hospital beds for home settings also tend to come with wheels designed to make it easy to move the bed, and anyone laying on it, to different parts of the room–or even to other rooms–with ease. The wheels on these beds often include safety features such as locking casters, which let the owners of the bed or their caregivers lock them into place, which prevents the bed from rolling around due to movement by the user or uneven ground.
Hospital Beds Can Be Covered By Insurance In Certain Circumstances
When it comes to elderly family members and loved ones, or loved ones with limiting medical conditions, it’s natural to want them to have the best. Unfortunately, shopping for the best in home hospital beds can be expensive. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help you find a hospital bed that fits your needs and budget.
Your insurance may cover a significant portion of the costs. Many types of Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance reimburse hospital bed purchases, though not every hospital bed manufacturer works with state Medicare or Medicaid programs. Additional options may be available for veterans through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Don’t let the red tape discourage you if you are seriously considering getting a hospital bed for home care. Many insurance carriers cover hospital bed purchases if your doctor agrees that a hospital bed for home is medically necessary. Typically, this requires a diagnosis from a medical professional.
Some diagnoses that typically qualify someone for hospital bed coverage include arthritis, severe leg or foot injuries, injuries to the spine, brain injuries or injuries to the nervous system, paralysis, and heart conditions that make it difficult to get out of bed.
Remember that the length of time the hospital bed will be needed is a factor that can help determine whether your insurance carrier will cover the purchase of a home hospital bed. When coverage is denied, it is usually because the underlying condition causing the need for one is not considered by the insurance company to be a “long-term” condition.
Greater Independence and Quality of Life With an At-Home Hospital Bed
Although taking up residency in a retirement community or similar care center is medically necessary for many, it’s not ideal for some. Giving seniors and people with disabilities a hospital bed for their home allows them to hold on to their independence and stay in a place that has personal meaning to them, at least for a little while longer.
Having an at-home hospital bed can be a game-changer when it comes to quality of life for a senior or person with a long-term medical condition. In addition to greater comfort during sleep and ease when receiving in home medical treatment, those who have a hospital bed at home enjoy greater mobility and independence. They’re also a lot safer due to features like adjustable height and handrails, to the great relief of their families and caregivers. Having a hospital bed at home allows those with health and mobility issues to live in their own homes while receiving the critical treatment they need without having to take up residence in a hospital or retirement community.
If you would like to learn more about the hospital beds offered by Transfer Master, click here.
How to Choose a Hospital Bed for Home Use
Sleep, or the lack of it, impacts the brain and body on a molecular level. It impacts energy balance, intellectual function, alertness, and mood. Sound sleep is a necessity in order to function at your best and most healthy.
People who use a hospital bed at home often deal with medications, illness, and pain - all of which can get in the way of quality sleep. Choosing the right bed can facilitate restorative sleep that contributes to your overall good health.
This guide contrasts the differences between hospital beds and gives you honest feedback from customers. It also uncovers frequently asked questions, cautions you on important features you must consider before purchasing, and recommends the best products.
What is a hospital bed for home?
A hospital bed for home care has features that cater to the needs of people who are recovering from an injury or who have to spend a lot of time in bed. Their adjustability makes them more appropriate than a standard bed for providing comfortable support and enabling caregivers to deliver quality care.
What Are The Different Types of Hospital Beds?
There are 3 types of hospital beds: manual, semi-electric, and full-electric. Below, we give you a breakdown of each bed and our top-recommended product.
Manual Hospital Beds
Manual hospital beds are the least expensive models, with fewer features than semi-electric or full-electric options. A manual hospital bed requires a caregiver to make adjustments via a hand crank, making this type of bed most appropriate in situations where it won’t be necessary to make frequent adjustments.
Pros
- Least expensive type
- Good choice if frequent adjustments aren’t necessary
Cons
- Potential caregiver strain from making manual adjustments
- Not as many position choices as electric beds
Semi-Electric Hospital Beds
A semi-electric hospital bed is a good choice for someone who has good enough balance that it is not necessary to adjust the height of the bed to transfer on and off. This style of bed uses electric and manual adjustments, with the head and foot sections usually adjusted electrically while the height is adjusted with a manual crank.
Pros
- Easy to make heat and foot positioning adjustments
- Lower cost for the feature of head and foot adjustability than a full-electric home hospital bed
- User confidence and independence is supported with user-adjusatility
Cons
- Must rely on a caregiver to make height adjustments
- Using a hand crank puts a strain on caregivers
Full Electric Hospital Beds
The height, head, and feet adjustments are made with the push of a button on a full-electric hospital bed. If a patient is able to control the bed positioning, it decreases reliance on caregiver assistance and increases independence and confidence. If a caregiver isn’t close by, most full-electric beds have a feature that locks the bed in position so a patient can’t accidentally move it into a position that could be dangerous.
Pros
- No strain on caregivers to adjust the bed
- When allowed, user can adjust the bed without assistance
- Addresses multiple conditions and positioning needs (sleep, circulation, skin issues, aches and pains)
Cons:
- Highest price point
What Are Specialty Beds?
Specialty hospital beds are specialized beds that are designed to meet very specific patient needs. Some specialty beds address fall risks, bariatric patient weight, and non-clinical designs.
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Although not hospital beds, sleep-to-stand beds have some of the same positioning options as hospital beds. Sometimes, they are referred to as sit to stand beds or adjustable beds. They provide comfortable support for a lot of the things a person would use a home hospital bed for, like sleeping, reading, watching tv, or just relaxing. They look more like standard beds and can be ordered in larger sizes to accommodate two sleepers. The less-institutional feel is attractive for many users. There are a few basic models with manually adjustable frames, but they are not used in caregiving settings. By far, most adjustable beds are fully electric and some can take users from lying down to standing up for easy transfers. They are a good choice for people who seek some of the features of a hospital bed but want the look and feel and sizing options of a traditional bed. Pros Cons Low beds are ideal for people who have a higher risk of falling, because they reduce the distance between the bed and floor, decreasing the risk of injury from a fall. These beds make it easier for users to get in and out of bed, which helps minimize the strain on a caregiver during transfers. Usually the height is adjusted electrically, and positioning adjustability includes elevating and reclining the head and feet sections, and allowing for ergonomic lying down and sitting. Pros Cons The weight capacity of standard hospital beds is between 350 and 450 pounds. Bariatric hospital beds, which are also called heavy-duty beds, can be found able to accommodate users weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Along with heavy-duty construction and larger sizes, with widths ranging as wide as 54 inches, bariatric hospital beds feature height adjustability and can be ordered with safety rails. A bariatric bed, especially for someone who can’t independently reposition in a smaller bed, will support a larger patient in comfort and dignity. Pros Cons Deluxe hospital beds are built for long-term, heavy-duty use, meeting the needs of acute-care patients and caregivers. Side rails, mitigated entrapment risk, and exit alarms focus on patient safety. User-friendly controls include a nurse panel, and patients can adjust the bed position without assistance. Benefits of a deluxe bed include ease treatment delivery provided by the maneuverability, electric height adjustability, and the list of accessories that are available with this type of bed. Pros Cons Although not technically hospital beds, residential design beds have hospital bed functionality in a bed you’d find at home. The ability to adjust this bed’s height and the option to install side rails make it easier for users to get out of bed than with a standard bed. The electric adjustability helps relieve pressure points and combat the development of bed sores, while the ergonomic positioning provides support and comfort. They can be ordered with waterproof mattress covers that contribute to a clinically sanitized environment at home. To check out more beds by Med-Mizer, check out our article Innovative Adjustable Hospital Beds by Med-Mizer Pros Cons Safety beds, although not hospital beds, do offer features that address special needs and medical conditions and support sleep in a secure space. Enclosed by walls, fabric, or rails, in sizes appropriate for children and adults. Safety beds protect from falls, prevent unassisted exits, provide easy caregiver access, and protect from entrapment or entanglement. They have features like padding to protect users who have seizures, access ports for medical equipment, and support for those with sensory processing disorders who benefit from a completely enclosed space. They come in fixed heights or with manual or powered height adjustability, and mattresses ranging from air to gel to articulating. There are portable models that are easy to take along while traveling. Pros Cons If a user is going to be cared for in bed for an extended amount of time, or who spends more than 15 hours a day in bed, a full-electric home hospital bed will provide long-term comfort and durability while minimizing physical strain in caregivers. They are also the most expensive models. Manual and semi-electric beds require more caregiver effort and don’t provide as much independence for patients, but they cost less and can be more appropriate for short-term use. Patient mobility has a significant impact on the kind of home hospital bed should be chosen. A highly adjustable bed, either electric or semi-electric, is best for users who are unsteady on their feet and are at risk of falling while transferring in and out of bed, who can’t reposition themselves without assistance, and can’t get in and out of bed safely without the height being adjusted. If a patient can get in and out of bed without assistance and is steady while standing, a highly adjustable bed might not be needed. A more economical choice would be a manually adjusted bed. Caregiver needs should be considered, ensuring the proper level of care can be provided. For a patient who requires a lot of position changes, a manual bed wouldn’t be the best choice. An electric bed will take the most strain off a caregiver. A caregiver’s strength and stamina should be taken into consideration when deciding which home hospital bed is the best choice. A specifically designed bariatric bed, which is wider than a standard bed, is more comfortable for heavier users. A pediatric patient will be more safe and comfortable in a child-sized bed. Beds can also be ordered to accommodate especially tall patients. Whatever the best bed size is for the patient, it can be found. For patients who spend the majority of their time in bed, especially if mobility challenges prevent them from regularly self-repositioning, a hospital bed’s positioning features can greatly impact comfort and quality of sleep. The number of sections, position options, and height adjustability all contribute to the user experience. Here are the most popular positioning options: Optional assembly services take the guesswork and effort out of setting up a hospital bed at home. It is probably already a stressful time of change when bringing a hospital bed into the house, and knowing the bed has been assembled correctly by professional installers can alleviate some of that stress and contribute to a calmer and more comfortable environment. Rehabmart has a large selection of hospital beds and other products that offer assembly services. A: A hospital bed at home can be a valuable tool to promote rest and healing. Whether recovering from an injury or in-patient stay, or adjusting to mobility limitations, you can enjoy improved health, increased independence, and a positive impact on quality of life with the addition of a hospital bed at home. The knee and head adjustability offer improved incontinence support, easy sanitization helps create a healthy environment, and repositioning options decrease the risk of pressure ulcers and provide comfortable postural support. Safety features like side rails or mattresses with bolsters can also minimize the risk of falling out of bed, as does height adjustability. A: This answer is different for everyone, but there are options to fit any needs. Beds that have multiple positions to correctly and comfortably support the body along with mattresses that range in firmness and available therapeutic features all impact the comfort of the user. A: A full-electric hospital bed electrically adjusts the height, head, and feet positions with the press of a button. Benefits include fostering patient independence and safety features to ensure maximum user comfort and safety while minimizing the physical strain on a caregiver. A: Yes. Rehabmart has a wide selection of hospital and home care beds. A: A semi-electric bed uses a combination of manual and electric adjustments. The head and foot sections are usually electrically adjustable, while a hand crank is used to manually adjust the height of the bed. For users who benefit from the ability to adjust the head and foot sections for positioning comfort but don’t need the height adjusted every time they get in and out of bed, this style is a great choice. A: A bariatric hospital bed meets the size and support requirements of larger-framed users who weigh more than what standard hospital beds can accommodate. Some models are able to accommodate patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Although not all bariatric beds can accommodate that weight, they pick up where standard beds that serve patients weighing between 350-450 pounds leave off. Their heavy duty construction makes them durable, while their height adjustability, safety rails, and extra width serve the specific needs of bariatric patients. A: Medicare will cover home hospital beds if they are prescribed by a doctor as a medically necessary piece of durable medical equipment. A: A fully electric home hospital bed can range from $500 to $6000, and the mattress isn’t always included, so consumers need to make sure they are also getting all the appropriate accessories when purchasing a bed. A: A main focus of a hospital bed is to deliver care and treatment effectively while maintaining patient safety and comfort. Adjustable beds are designed with an emphasis on maximum user comfort and support for sleeping, reading, eating, watching tv, or relaxing in bed. Adjustable beds are more like standard beds, while home hospital beds are treatment-focused and can have a more institutional design and feel. With sleep being an essential function, your sleep space should cater to what will help you achieve the greatest amount of rest. Your sleeping brain recovers from the stresses of the day. Performance and decision-making are definitely impacted by quality and quantity of sleep. Proper sleep contributes to feeling more alert and positive, and helps ward off disease and combat medical challenges. After a good night's sleep, you perform better and are better at making decisions. Sleep can help you feel more alert, optimistic, and get along with people better. Sleep also helps your body ward off disease. Choose the options in a home hospital bed that best meets your needs for comfort and care, to ensure the best possible, and most healing and restorative sleep you can get. We’ve gone over the types of hospital beds, and since not all beds come with their own dedicated mattresses, it’s important to consider what you need in a mattress for your hospital bed as well. Our selection of the 5 Best Hospital Bed Mattresses will help you make an informed decision when it’s time to set up a hospital bed at home. For more information on how to choose the best home hospital bed for your needs, visit our extensive library at Caregiver University. Hulet Smith, OT Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery. Meet all of our experts here! Contact us to discuss your requirements of medical beds for sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.Sleep to Stand Bed
Low Bed
Bariatric Hospital Bed
Deluxe Hospital Bed
Residential Design Bed
Fully-Enclosed Safety Bed
Features to Consider Before Purchasing
Temporary vs Permanent
Mobility of Patient
Strength of Caregiver
Size of the Patient
Positioning
Assembly Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I need a hospital bed at home?
Q: What is the most comfortable hospital bed?
Q: What Is A Full-Electric Hospital Bed?
Q: Can I get a hospital bed for home use?
Q: What is a semi-electric hospital bed?
Q: What is a bariatric hospital bed?
Q: Does Medicare cover hospital beds?
Q: How much does a fully electric hospital bed cost?
Q: What's the difference between an electric hospital bed and an adjustable bed?
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