My mom always valued being able to live independently. She lived in her Toronto home for 40 years. Long-term care facilities were something she would never do. She wanted to be able to wake up in her room. Sit in her own garden. But as her mobility decreased over the past year, we knew we had to make some big decisions quickly. We determined that safety had to become our number one priority. We learned that using the right equipment changed everything. These three types of mobility equipment helped her to continue to stay exactly where she belonged.
Modernizing the Bedroom with An Electric Hospital Bed Rental
Our first obstacle was transforming the bedroom. Our mom could not easily climb in and out of a typical mattress. She was frequently getting stuck or feeling uncomfortable while trying to fall asleep. So we started looking for a professional way to solve the problem. When we went shopping for an electric hospital bed rental Toronto, we decided on renting one to modernize her bedding setup. Instantly after making this change, she regained her confidence.
Importance of Using the Remote Control Electric Version of Manual Adjustments
Caregivers have to expend so much effort manually adjusting bed heights. With an electric version, there is no manual adjustment necessary. Instead, there is a simple remote control. Now she can use the bed to elevate her head to read a book, elevate her legs to alleviate swelling, and adjust the bed to the correct height for sitting up if she wants to stand.
There are many good reasons why an electric bed is beneficial:
- It reduces the chance of falling down while going to the bathroom at 2 am.
- It allows the individual to move themselves in their bed without having to call someone for assistance.
- It improves circulation in their legs which can cause fatigue.
- It makes it easier for visiting nurses or Personal Support Workers (PSW) to perform their duties.
- It provides adjustable back and neck support.
Local Installation and Service
I was concerned about the logistics of moving large pieces of equipment into the bedroom. Thus, I did a search for a hospital bed rental near me with installation. The next day professional installers came to our home and installed the bed. They moved the heavy equipment into the bedroom, demonstrated how to safely utilize the bed’s side rails, and answered any questions I had. Having professionals set up the equipment relieved stress and anxiety. From that point on, Mom felt safe in her bedroom.
Lift Chairs Provide Comfort in the Living Room
The living room is probably the most used room in my mom’s home. She enjoys watching the news and doing crafts such as knitting. Her old armchair had become a prison because she no longer had the ability to generate enough force from her legs to lift herself up. We realized that she needed a special type of chair called a lift chair. Lift chairs solved both of her problems for daytime comfort.
A Lift Chair Bridges the Gap Between Sitting Down & Standing Up
A lift chair appears identical to a regular recliner. However, beneath its cushioned exterior lies a powerful internal motor that slowly tilts the entire chair. Then it gently lifts the person into a standing position. Unlike pushing oneself out of a recliner by rocking back and forth until she gets exhausted, Mom simply presses a button and stands up with great ease.
In addition to providing comfort, lift chairs also provide numerous other benefits for seniors:
- They don’t put as much pressure on weak knees as traditional recliners.
- Their smooth operation helps avoid unexpected dizziness.
- Some styles include heat and massaging features for added relaxation.
- They provide a safe place to take an afternoon nap.
Finally, aesthetically speaking, lift chairs come in a wide range of colors and patterns to match almost every living room décor style. We found a pattern and color combination that matched her existing rug and wall decorations perfectly. They didn’t appear like medical equipment but rather as high end furniture. As a result, Mom feels less like a patient in her home.
Increasing Safety with Home Care Hospital Beds
As Mom’s needs continued to evolve, we sought more specialized features. Standard beds lack the sturdiness required for prolonged periods of recovery. Therefore, we upgraded our plan and purchased a hospital bed rental Toronto with home care features. This provided Mom with a medical grade surface that was suitable for 24 hour use.
Home Care Mattresses Improve Sleep Quality and Prevent Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers are another serious issue facing seniors who require extended time resting in bed due to an illness or disability. A home care mattress is vastly different from mattresses sold at department stores. Home care mattresses distribute weight much more evenly throughout the entire body compared to traditional mattresses. They also feature waterproof coverings that are incredibly easy to clean and disinfect.
Additionally, medical grade foams support the natural curve of the spine properly.
- They breathe well so the user stays cool.
- They have side rails for users to hold onto when changing positions in bed.
- And finally, they have castors that allow them to be easily rolled out of the way for cleaning purposes.
We saw a noticeable improvement in her mood almost immediately after introducing a home care mattress. Better quality sleep contributes to better quality days. Since she slept better, she had more energy for her physical therapy sessions. Essentially, the bed supported her overall rehabilitation process.
Logistical Benefits of Renting vs Buying Medical Equipment
Renting medical equipment is often preferable to purchasing it outright. The reason for this is because medical equipment requirements can fluctuate rapidly based upon a variety of factors including injuries or illnesses. If we decide we need a different style of bed, the rental company will replace it. Further, the rental company handles all maintenance issues related to the equipment including replacing worn out parts and repairing broken components. We never have to worry about malfunctioning equipment or squeaking frames. By searching online for hospital bed rentals near me with installation, I found a reputable provider who offered local repair services should anything happen to either piece of equipment.
Implementing a Multi Faceted Aging at Home Strategy
Using multiple technologies together creates success stories in many cases. We implemented two other forms of technology; a lift chair and various bathroom grab bars along with the electric hospital bed rental Toronto products mentioned previously. Together, these four technologies collectively created a safety net for Mom.
Additional Tips for Aging in Place:
- Remove all rugs in your home to eliminate trip hazards.
- Use bright, motion sensitive nightlights throughout your home.
- Have a phone or emergency alert device located nearby your bed at all times.
Electric hospital bed rental Toronto companies usually carry other supportive devices as well. We rented a walker and bedside table from the same company that provided our electric hospital bed rental Toronto products. This greatly simplified our billing processes each month since we were only paying one company for all of our needs. More importantly however, it assured us that all of our equipment met equal quality standards.
Psychological Benefits of Maintaining Independence
Aging isn’t merely about physical health; it is also about maintaining dignity. Mom felt defeated when she couldn’t stand up on her own anymore. She felt frustrated when she couldn’t get comfortable in her bed anymore. The lift chair gave her back her living room. And, the specialty bed gave her back her sleep.
She has resumed hosting her book club again. She is able to move around her space with confidence and pride once again. Perhaps familiar surroundings will help preserve her mental acuity as well. Surroundings that are familiar have healing powers for the soul.
Conclusion
Preparing yourself and your family members to address your parents’ potential future challenges involves planning ahead. Look at your home through new eyes. Determine what potential obstacles might exist before they create an injury opportunity. The initial step in our planning process was obtaining a home care hospital bed rental Toronto which transformed a potentially overwhelming situation into one that was manageable. My mom currently lives comfortably and safely at home, and is still enjoying time in her favorite chair! If you’re beginning this journey now begin with equipment that will give you peace of mind regarding your family member’s safety research local options today!