While medicine and doctor visits are essential, so too are some of the basics — like the environment in which we recover. We know that comfort and accessibility greatly contribute to our ability to move around freely and feel well. To many Families, adjustable medical beds become one of the best tools available for regaining Independence while making the care of a Recovering individual less arduous.
Standard beds do not have the same capacity to meet ever-changing needs as adjustable hospital beds. Adjustable medical beds have a variety of functions, including raising and lowering different parts of the bed. This makes everyday tasks, such as eating, sleeping, reading, and entering/leaving the bed, much safer and more comfortable for Recovering Individuals. Additionally, the features provided by adjustable medical beds enable Patients who are Recovering at home to be able to manage daily tasks independently (to a great extent) and thereby develop a level of confidence during their recovery.
Why is Independence important while Recovering?
While being independent may seem simply to be about performing all the necessary tasks of each day without assistance, there is a lot more to Independence than that. Independence has a direct relationship to an individual’s emotional health, self-confidence, and motivation. When Individuals are able to modify their sleeping position, eat meals while sitting up straight, and enter and exit a bed easily and safely, they begin to take charge of their lives again.
There are numerous benefits associated with increased Independence among Recovering Individuals:
- Increased confidence while Recovering
- Decreased feelings of anxiety and frustration
- More active participation in rehabilitation programs
- Increased opportunity for private time
- Less reliance upon family members or caregivers for assistance
In addition to older adults and those with temporary mobility restrictions experiencing many benefits related to Independence during recovery, there are also many younger Individuals experiencing similar benefits due to various reasons (e.g., post-operative).
How do adjustable hospital beds help Individuals perform daily activities more easily?
Contemporary adjustable medical beds were developed using technology to solve common problems faced by Patients every day. No longer confined to hospitals alone, modern adjustable medical beds are now being used frequently in home-based healthcare environments.
Position changing made easier
Staying in the same position for an extended amount of time can result in stiffness, discomfort, Pressure sores, etc. However, by providing Patients with the ability to adjust the position of their bed easily, adjustable medical beds decrease the strain involved in adjusting positions and promote good circulation of blood.
Additionally, through positional Changes regularly performed using adjustable beds, Patients experience fewer Pressure points caused by remaining stationary for extended periods of time, better comfort during rest/sleep, reduced Muscle fatigue and enhanced circulation.
Transfer assistance into and out of bed becomes safer
Using a standard bed can become hazardous for Individuals who have undergone surgery or are undergoing rehabilitation. By having an adjustable bed elevate the patient into a seating position before he/she stands, there is a vast reduction in physical exertion required for the transfer from the bed.
Through the utilization of adjustable beds, Individuals have a significantly decreased chance of suffering from:
- Falls
- Strains to muscles
- Injuries resulting from loss of Balance
Caregivers will also suffer less from lifting-related injuries.
Creating comfort leads to improved healing
Pain management is very important during recovery. Poor sleeping posture and interrupted rest will negatively impact the recovery process. The comfort experienced by Patients when utilizing an adjustable bed allows them to select a customized sleeping position that reduces Pressure on uncomfortable areas of the body and enhances overall relaxation.
Examples of how adjustable beds can enhance comfort and ultimately aid in the healing process:
- Elevate head portion of bed to alleviate acid reflux symptoms
- Raise leg portion of bed to prevent swelling
- Provide knee support after joint replacement surgeries
- Enhance spinal alignment when resting/sleeping
As Individuals sleep better due to enhanced comfort experienced with adjustable beds, they tend to experience more energy and participate more actively in rehabilitation programs.
Helping breathing issues through positional adjustment
There are many conditions that affect breathing (COPD, asthma, pneumonia, chf). Often times, breathing issues can be alleviated by elevating the upper body portion of a person’s bed.
Since adjustable beds allow for gradual elevation of the head portion of a bed, Patients with respiratory issues can:
- Breathe more easily
- Experience reduced frequency of nighttime coughing attacks
- Reduce shortness of breath episodes
- Enjoy better quality sleep
Therefore, this particular function can assist those with long term respiratory conditions to live more normally.
Relieving strain on caregivers
Caregivers assist their family member/patient with multiple tasks daily. The constant lifting, repositioning and assistance with basic hygiene tasks of Patients can put undue strain on caregivers leading to fatigue and back injuries.
The adjustment of beds mechanically by the Caregiver results in less physical strain on caregivers as opposed to manually lifting/repositioning Patients. Other benefits for caregivers include:
- Less physical exhaustion
- Easier assistance with personal hygiene
- Simplified dressing/wound care
- Increased patient handling safety
Due to Patients being able to adjust many positions themselves, caregivers are then able to devote more time towards offering emotional support instead of engaging in physically demanding caregiving tasks.
Temporary versus long-term needs — why Renting makes Sense
It is unrealistic to expect that everyone will require a hospital bed indefinitely. There are many people that require specialized equipment only temporarily during recovery from surgery/injury/illness.
Renting medical beds for home use has its advantages compared to buying. These advantages include:
- Lower initial costs
- Flexibility in length of rental agreement (Weekly/Monthly/etc.)
- Ability to renew or extend your rental contract
- Less maintenance responsibility on behalf of the family/Caregiver
- Easy-to-use equipment
Local providers and finding the best equipment for your loved one
Finding a reliable provider of hospital bed rental is equally important as finding the right piece of equipment. Before you make a decision regarding which company will be supplying you with your medical bed, you will want to research several things.
Some things you might want to look for in a provider include:
- Expert installation/delivery service
- Equipment demonstration prior to purchase/rental
- Prompt response to questions/concerns/needs
- Availability of Emergency technical support if needed
- Flexibility in rental agreements (i.e. Week-by-week)
- Strong reputation locally and nationally
If you are looking for hospital bed rental near me i would suggest starting by doing some online research about local medical equipment suppliers who specialize in home healthcare services. A reputable supplier will also assist you in determining what type of bed is most suitable for your loved one’s specific medical requirements and home environment.
Cost to rent a hospital bed in Ontario
one major concern Families have when setting up home care is budget. Pricing of hospital bed rentals vary depending on many factors such as:
- Type of bed rented
- Operation — electric vs. Manual
- Length of rental agreement
- Number and types of accessories purchased
- Location of delivery/installation
- Types and/or prices of Optional mattress/bed rail purchases
Generally speaking, Renting is still much cheaper than owning when equipment is only going to be needed for a limited period. Some providers also offer bundles that include a wide range of items such as mattresses, over-bed tables, Trapeze bars and others that may be useful during the recovery process.
Oakville home recovery
With increasing numbers of Families opting for home healthcare solutions that allow their loved ones to recover in a familiar atmosphere, there are growing numbers of Individuals seeking out home-based medical bed rentals.
Regardless whether your loved one is Recovering from surgery, managing a chronic disease or helping support an aging family member, hospital bed rental in Oakville affords Families access to top-of-the-line equipment without requiring them to commit financially to owning said equipment. Local providers often provide rapid delivery/set-up and continued support, making it Simpler for Individuals transitioning from hospital care to home care while maintaining a safe and comfortable environment.
Adding additional accessories that can Improve Independence
The capabilities of an adjustable medical bed are further maximized when combined with additional equipment. Some popular add-ons include:
- Pressure relief mattresses
- Side rails
- Overbed tables
- Trapeze bars
- Bedside commodes
- Patient lifts
These additional pieces of equipment can both assist Patients in achieving greater Independence and increase efficiency for caregivers while enhancing the safety aspects of the recovery environment.
Conclusion
Recovering at home should never mean that an individual must sacrifice his/her comfort, dignity or Independence. Adjustable hospital beds empower Individuals by providing them with opportunities to complete daily routines and participate fully in rehabilitation exercises while decreasing physical strain on caregivers. If your loved one requires a hospital bed for either temporary or extended periods of time, Renting an adjustable medical bed represents a convenient and affordable means of obtaining the equipment your loved one needs while adapting to changing health needs.
Selecting the proper equipment along with partnering with a respected rental supplier enables Families to establish a home environment conducive to healing, empowering Individuals with Independence and encouraging Individuals toward confidence with every new step taken.