Once her doctors told her she could return to her home, the author assumed the worst was behind them. However, upon returning to their home and finding their normal bed unsafe for her to sleep in, they found themselves facing a new set of challenges.
Their normal bed was not suitable for recovery. She had difficulty elevating herself into a comfortable position. Each time she wished to get into and out of bed, she required assistance. Her nights were becoming increasingly tiring since each night she was consistently needing to be moved for comfort and circulation.
They recognized that if they really wanted to allow her to heal at home safely, they needed to make changes in their home as soon as possible. They created those necessary changes, which ultimately led to one of the best decisions they made during the entire recovery process: purchasing a hospital bed for home use.
Initially, the author resisted this option. Hospital equipment seemed cold, clinical, and uninviting. He worried that turning their living area into a recovery space would make it feel too much like a medical facility rather than a home.
However, after learning more about proper support equipment and speaking with healthcare professionals, they realized the importance of having the appropriate equipment for both patients and caregivers. The author then began shopping online for a “hospital bed” because there were limited supplies available locally, and waiting times were excessively long. In addition, shopping online offered them greater flexibility, lower prices, and the opportunity to discover many features that they previously did not know existed.
The bed they purchased featured a number of beneficial attributes such as adjustable height, recline functions, side railings, and a pressure-relieving mattress. These features provided instant improvements in her comfort. Equally important, they provided her with a degree of independence that she had lost in the hospital.
Recovering at home is vastly different from recovering in a hospital environment. Hospitals have professional medical staff, specialized medical equipment, and facilities that are specifically designed for providing patient care. At home, families typically attempt to provide care using non-medical items (i.e., typical household furniture) that are not constructed to meet medical needs.
Instantly solving these issues were the following:
Simplifying Transfers
Transferring in/out of bed became much safer due to the bed’s ability to adjust its height. This also decreased the strain placed on both the author’s mother and other family members assisting her.
Improving Sleep & Comfort
Elevating her head/legs alleviated her pain, swelling and respiratory distress.
Decreasing Caregiver Stress
Completing simple daily activities became easier to accomplish and resulted in less physical burden for all parties involved.
Increasing Patient Safety
Having the bed’s side rails and various positioning options eliminated the danger of falls during nighttime hours.
Unexpected Importance of Seating Support
During the latter stages of recovery, the author began noticing additional difficulties his mother was experiencing. Although the hospital bed provided sufficient support during rest periods, seating comfortably throughout the day proved to be problematic. She experienced difficulty rising from standard chairs and required assistance with each instance.
He began searching for a “lift chair rental near me.” Ultimately, he discovered lift chair rentals were an ideal short term solution. A lift chair allowed her to comfortably sit throughout the day while safely standing without placing undue strain on her joint/muscle system.
Families faced with short term recovery requirements will benefit greatly from utilizing rentals versus purchasing equipment immediately. Finding a reliable source for a “lift chair rental near me,” provided him with numerous affordable options that met his needs and avoided an initial investment.
Emotional Side of Creating a Recovery Space in Your Home
One aspect people rarely discuss regarding medical equipment brought into homes is the emotional impact. Initially, the room appeared foreign due to the presence of medical equipment, mobility aids and assistive devices. The emotional exhaustion associated with caring for someone in need of ongoing medical treatment can be overwhelming.
Over time, the authors learned that comfort supersedes aesthetics. To address the aesthetic concerns related to creating a recovery space within their home, they incorporated soft blankets, family photographs, warm lighting and familiar decorative elements surrounding the bed. Rather than making their living room appear clinical, they worked toward developing a sense of serenity and welcome.
Interestingly, instead of reducing her independence; the equipment actually enhanced her self-esteem and overall independence. My mother no longer had to endure each movement with difficulty nor continually beg others for assistance.
Precautions to Take Before Purchasing Equipment
Before selecting medical equipment to bring home for post-surgical/illness/rehabilitation recovery purposes, consider the following factors:
Mobility Requirements
Does the individual require assistance in repositioning themselves, or does he/she require assistance to stand or transfer?
Duration of Recovery
Are you planning for long-term recovery? If so, you may want to consider rentals for items such as lift chairs (e.g., “lift chair rental near me”) to determine if purchasing is in your best interest financially.
Room Dimensions
Carefully measure your available space prior to ordering either a hospital bed or a recliner.
Mattress Quality
A high-quality pressure relief mattress can significantly enhance comfort and help prevent sore areas that result from prolonged periods spent lying down during long recovery processes.
Support for Caregivers
The right equipment protects caregivers from suffering potential physical harm in addition to supporting the patient.
Convenience of Online Shopping
An additional advantage of shopping online for hospital beds vs. visiting multiple retail locations during an already chaotic period was the convenience factor.
Shopping online enabled us to research products and features, review customer feedback, coordinate delivery schedules, and select the exact product that best suited our home and financial circumstances. For families already overwhelmed with doctor visits and managing daily caregiving duties, this convenience has far-reaching implications beyond merely saving time.
Much More Than Just a Bed
Reflecting on their experience, the hospital bed served more purpose than just providing support for my mother’s physical needs.
It represented a means for her to return safely from the hospital to pursue further recovery at home, where she wanted most to be.
Additionally, it provided our family with reassurance. It alleviated unnecessary stress. It made managing caregiving more feasible. Perhaps most notably though, it permitted her to undergo recovery with comfort, familiarity, and dignity with the people she loved most by her side.
In some instances, acquiring supportive medical equipment doesn’t merely alter recovery. it alters everything.