When you come home after a traumatic event, it is supposed to be a relief. Coming home is supposed to feel like releasing a deep breath. Occasionally, however, coming home feels anything but relaxing. For some, the very space in which you live is either a refuge from the trauma you experienced or a reminder of the things that triggered it. How we choose to decorate our spaces, including where we put things, whether the rooms are well lit, and how much natural light flows through them, can greatly affect how safe we feel in those spaces.
The intent of this article is to present several ways in which small changes in design can contribute to the process of healing from trauma. This includes understanding how medical equipment can blend seamlessly with comfortable furniture and decor; learning about different types of housing options such as Renting vs. Buying; and seeing how the layout of your space can support healthy breathing patterns. We will focus first on mobility and rest.
The body remembers what the brain tries to forget
What your body remembers can impact how safe you feel in your living space. A crowded or noisy living space can lead to feelings of hypervigilance. Cluttered hallways can evoke feelings of being trapped. Thus, while physical safety concerns itself with preventing injury due to falls, emotional safety refers to decreasing daily triggers that raise your blood pressure. Consider the following physical design elements as anchor points in designing a safe space:
• paths free from cords and rugs
• controls for bedside lighting and windows
• non-slip flooring in bathrooms
• seating that is accessible and at appropriate height
These simple changes decrease the amount of danger-related information sent to the brain. When you sleep better and move with less hesitancy, you are able to breathe more easily. For individuals who suffer from severe injuries or chronic conditions requiring medical equipment, there are also specialized solutions available. There are electric hospital bed rentals available in Toronto that allow users to adjust the height and angle of their heads. Additionally, these beds provide pressure relief and may enable easier breathing when standing upright. On the other hand, a typical bed has a fixed height and angle. This lack of flexibility can sometimes exacerbate symptoms related to re-traumatization. Choose a bed that adjusts to you.
Choosing hospital beds without breaking the bank
Hospital beds are expensive to purchase, and storage is often limited. Renting medical furniture makes sense for many families. An electric hospital bed rental Toronto comes fully assembled and ready for use. The technicians install the bed in the exact location you specify. Why is correct placement so important? Incorrect placement causes unnecessary hazards. A bed placed too close to the wall hinders Caregivers’ ability to enter/exit the room safely. A bed placed directly across from a window could encourage light sensitivity. Professional installation addresses these problems.
Now, let’s discuss a critical service associated with purchasing a hospital bed rental Toronto that includes installation. Look for “hospital bed rental near me” and ensure the local supplier provides delivery/installation services that combine the two prices. Typically, local suppliers will deliver and set up your rented hospital bed at once. Also, most will remove the bed when you decide you no longer want or need it, eliminating the risk of having to transport and dispose of large metal-frame hospital beds.
Three signs you need a rental
Are you experiencing any of the following scenarios?
- your loved one experiences difficulty sitting up from lying down without assistance.
- Caregivers experience discomfort/back pain when transferring your loved one from/to bed.
- Bedsores have developed despite frequent turning of your loved one.
In each situation, the primary reason is inadequate support provided by either the bed or caregiving practices. Adjustable beds decrease friction between skin surfaces and/or clothing/furniture. Adjustable beds may also increase your loved one’s Independence in performing routine activities. Long term care at home provides solutions to months or years of recovery time
Regardless of whether your healing journey takes months or years, renting a hospital bed for homecare in Toronto provides a bridge between your hospital stay and independent living. Although basic hospital beds work well in hospitals, they typically have louder motors and stiffer side railings. They also tend to resemble traditional hospital beds, which can further traumatize trauma survivors who associate hospital beds with painful treatment or loss. Homecare versions utilize wood panelling or beige finishes, indicating “rest”, rather than “treatment”. Additional homecare features include:
- locking castors to prevent rolling;
- hand-held pendants allowing users to adjust their beds using push-button controls;
- low-setting heights for floor-level accessibility/safety;
- side rails that retract completely;
All of these features provide users with increased control over their environment and thus reduced feelings of helplessness. Similarly, consider your room’s lighting arrangement. Install dimmers or blackout curtains for daytime napping or sleeping. Use an amber-colored nightlight rather than blue. Bright overhead lighting can stimulate similar sensations as emergency lighting. Soft lighting indicates safety.
Comfort while sitting down increases Independence
Beds are only part of the equation for creating a safe space while awake and mobile. Users also require safe seating to perform daily tasks. Regular couches are too low. Dining chairs provide little to no arm support. This is why Lift chairs become essential for many individuals recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic pain. A Lift chair is essentially a recliner with a mechanical lifting system used for rising from the chair with minimal strain on muscles/joints/flexibility. Many trauma survivors with physical injuries or chronic pain report fewer daily anxieties related to falling when using a Lift chair.
Emotional impact of Lift chairs
Using a Lift chair eliminates fear of becoming stuck in a chair and needing help to rise. You no longer need to call someone else to assist you in rising from a seated position. As a result, you are likely to spend more time interacting with family members in common spaces; isolation decreases.
four situations where Lift chairs are useful:
- following hip/knee surgery;
- due to degenerative disc disease;
- following stroke recovery;
- during chemotherapy-induced fatigue;
Many rental providers offer Lift chairs along with electric hospital beds. Bundling products results in cost savings, and it allows families to create a comprehensive care environment.
Creating a safe environment using seven steps
Now that we’ve explored the equipment options, let’s build the room using seven steps:
- Measure your doorway/hallway width prior to delivery to determine if the delivered bed fits within your space; standard widths equal approximately 32 inches.
- remove any rug from paths leading to/from the bed; these rugs bunch under moving wheel bases.
- position the bed so that one side remains unobstructed for Caregivers.
- place the Lift chair within six feet of the bed for maximum ease-of-use for Caregivers.
- set-up tables next to each seating area (bed and Lift chair). The tables should contain drinking glasses/water bottles/cell phones/medication.
- mount a grab bar inside the bathroom adjacent to the shower/bathtub area; mounting a grab bar today may save you from future falls/injuries.
- test all remote controls installed in conjunction with the rental during the technician visit. Report any issues regarding sticky buttons to request replacement remotes.
Each Step above contributes to building predictability into your environment. Predictable environments reduce cortisol levels. Lower cortisol leads to improved sleep quality/digestion/mood states.
Design mistakes made when creating post-traumatic healing environments
There are three common mistakes made by People when establishing post-traumatic healing environments:
- prioritizing aesthetics/design over functionality/usefulness; e.g., selecting a low profile bed because of its appearance rather than considering usability/accessibility; although it may appear aesthetically pleasing, you may find yourself struggling daily with finding comfortable positions on that bed.
- neglecting exit routes/emergency escape routes; place all furniture away from doors/windows to provide safe avenues for escaping in cases of emergencies/fire-medical crises.
- ignoring potential noise-generating sources; placing a bed near a washer dryer unit/window looking onto traffic routes will elicit greater startle responses when compared to placing the bed in a quieter portion of your dwelling space; use white noise machines if required.
Don’t forget about hiring someone to assemble your medical equipment even though you believe you are capable of doing so yourself. Medical beds contain locking mechanisms/electric components; Improper assembly may result in equipment failure in the middle of the night.
Peace of mind regarding financials & logistics
Renting medical equipment appears costly, yet in most instances it actually proves less costly than purchasing outright. Most home-care hospital bed rental Toronto contracts include maintenance/replacement parts. If the motor breaks, your rental supplier will send a brand-new bed within 24 hours of notification.
Compare that to ownership: you pay full price upfront, you’re responsible for storing it afterwards, and you repair/dispose of it yourself. For temporary requirements (three to twelve months), renting clearly outperforms ownership.
Ask your provider about possible insurance coverage for an electric hospital bed rental in Toronto under DME (durable medical equipment); some plans cover hospital bed rentals entirely or partially based upon prescriptions written by doctors. Even partial coverage will alleviate significant amounts of stress.
You don’t need to worry about paperwork; most rental suppliers will handle insurance claims for you. They’ll know every form imaginable; use their expertise!
The effect on Caregivers’ mental health
Recovery at home impacts everyone in the household, caregivers included, as they respond physically/emotionally similarly to patients experiencing traumatic events themselves. You may experience feeling drained/touchy/resentful—this is normal.
Thus, design the house with two people in mind: keep a small chair nearby your patient’s bedside for you, mount USB charging stations near both seating locations, and locate snacks/drinking water within easy reach of your patient’s lift chair.
Schedule deliveries with the help of others. Avoid managing installations alone. Have neighbours hold/open doors for technicians. Serve coffee/tea to technicians; small acts of kindness will create positive associations with medical equipment.
Conclusion: breath by breath, space by space
Healing doesn’t occur instantly—it occurs in moments: A good night’s sleep – a smooth transition from bed-to-chair – waking without asking for assistance.
Renting an electric hospital bed provides flexible support; searching online for “hospital bed rental near me with installation” ensures proper installation; choosing homecare hospital beds soften clinical designs; adding Lift chairs allows for increased Independence for mobility purposes.
No type of equipment will ever cure trauma – nothing will erase memories; however, they can minimize physical obstacles to calmness – making your home an atmosphere conducive to steady breathing – providing you with Safe Walls.