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Top 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Hospital Bed
The Importance of Choosing the Right Hospital Bed
The importance of sleep goes beyond feeling refreshed the following day.
Sleep balances our mood and energy levels. It regulates our intellectual function and fortifies our immune system. When we don’t get enough quality shut-eye — or we have disrupted sleep due to illness or chronic pain — it can make us feel sluggish throughout the day and negatively affect our health and healing.
When it comes to recovery, the right bed can make all the difference.
Hospital beds are designed for people who are recovering from an injury or who must spend a significant amount of time in bed. They are also used to help people with certain medical conditions and provide support to make their lives more comfortable.
When you or a loved one needs long-term care and comfort, a hospital bed for home is an investment you'll want to make.
Important Things to Consider About Hospital Beds
A hospital bed is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who needs help getting in and out of bed. A hospital bed is an important piece of equipment for anyone who needs assistance getting in and out of bed, changing position in bed, or receiving care in bed. There are many features that benefit the end-user and many that benefit the caregiver as well. Below are several important factors to consider before you purchase one.
Different Types of Hospital Beds
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, knowing what types of beds are available and what makes them different is an essential prerequisite to making your purchase.
There are many different types of hospital beds on the market, so you have a lot of options to consider. Doing your research and knowing what to look for is the best way to ensure you get a bed that suits your needs.
The most common types of hospital beds are electric, semi-electric, adjustable, and long-term care beds, each with its own advantages.
Electric hospital beds have motors that raise and lower the head and foot of the bed by remote control. The bed lowers to 9 inches above the ground and extends to a maximum height of 21 inches. These beds can adjust into various positions, making them ideal for people with mobility issues or chronic pain.
Semi-electric beds have motors that let users adjust their head and foot positioning. However, they require manual adjustment for the height of the bed itself. The beds are ideal for people who are more mobile or spend less time in bed during the day.
Adjustable beds look like regular beds but have a mechanical frame which lets you adjust your position for lying down or sitting up. These beds use standard bed linens and fit seamlessly with the home aesthetic. This makes them ideal for people looking for additional comfort but who don’t need the added features of an electric hospital bed.
The last on our list is the long-term care bed. Long-term care beds have all the unique features of electric beds plus an extended height range, making them easier to maneuver around and accommodate bulky equipment or multiple caregivers around the bed.
Hospital Bed Size
The next thing you need to do is ensure that your hospital bed is the right size for your needs.
Hospital beds come in many different sizes and are bigger than most standard beds, so you must choose one that fits well into your home without taking up too much space.
Start by considering how much space you have in your home for the bed and where it will fit best. Then take note of other medical equipment that may live in the same room or area as your new hospital bed, such as oxygen tanks. These factors will help affect how wide you want the frame to be and will determine whether or not you can use a larger hospital bed without taking up too much space or cramping the room.
Mattress Quality
Generally speaking, the mattress is the most important part of the bed. However, their unique design sets medical mattresses apart from their traditional counterparts.
Much like a mattress for a standard bed, you have a lot of options to choose from. You’ll want a mattress that is supportive and comfortable enough so that it doesn’t cause any unnecessary pain or discomfort while sleeping.
A hospital bed with a mattress that is too soft will put too much pressure on your body, which can hinder your recovery over time. On the other hand, a mattress that is too hard can cause pain when lying down and getting up from the bed. It is best to choose a bed that provides support but allows you to adjust how soft or firm the mattress feels.
Harmony Home’s medical mattresses offer customizable comfort, making them ideal for healing and recovery. Choose any medical mattress from their selection, and you will sleep soundly knowing your safety and comfort are a priority.
Comfort and Adaptability
The comfort of your new bed should be one of your top priorities when shopping around for new medical equipment or supplies.
You must find a bed that is comfortable for you and help reduce your pain and discomfort when you get up or lay down for long periods.
Hospital beds are designed to be as comfortable and adaptable as possible. A standard hospital bed lets you adjust the height to your preference. This enables users to sit upright while resting or sleeping, so they don’t have to lie down flat on their backs like they would if they were using an ordinary mattress at home.
While most hospital beds are height-adjustable, some models on the market also let you adjust the width and length. How you adjust your hospital bed will depend on your chosen model.
Caregiver Features
A caregiver is someone who helps you get in and out of bed, adjusts the bed to your needs, moves around the room with you, and assists you with other activities of daily living. As such, it is important to consider how your hospital bed will impact your primary caregiver.
Some hospital beds have features designed to make it easier for a person to provide care. For example, long-term care beds have more adjustment options. These beds easily raise and lower and are less strenuous on a caregiver’s back than a bed that requires manual adjustment. This makes them better suited for providing comfortable support and enabling caregivers to deliver quality care.
Choosing the right hospital bed that makes you and your caregiver more comfortable will improve your quality of life and
Closing Considerations
Having the right hospital bed can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and a bad one, between reinjury and recovery.
You deserve the best care — and the best sleep — possible.
Harmony Home Medical Supply ensures you get it.
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