My mother’s goal was to live independently. In fact, she owned her Toronto home for 40 years and had absolutely no interest in long term care facilities. She wanted to be able to rise out of her bed, sit in her own garden and enjoy her life. Yet, over the last year her mobility has declined significantly and we knew we had to act quickly to ensure her safety. We realized that utilizing the appropriate equipment made all of the difference. All three of these mobility equipment solutions allowed her to maintain her independence and remain in the location she loved.
Transforming the Bedroom with a Professional-Grade Electric Hospital Bed Rental
Our first challenge was to transform the bedroom. My mother cannot easily climb in and out of a standard mattress. On several occasions she became “stuck” in her bed and experienced difficulty falling asleep. Therefore, we began looking for a solution. After researching, we rented an electric hospital bed in Toronto. The moment we made this decision she gained confidence.
Advantages of a Remote-Controlled Electric Version of Manual Adjustments
Manually adjusting bed heights requires caregivers to expend considerable amounts of effort. With an electric version of a bed, there is no manual adjustments involved. Rather than manual adjustments, there is a remote-control unit allowing individuals to raise the head of the bed to read books, elevate their legs to reduce swelling and raise the bed to the desired height to assist in rising from the bed.
Advantages of electric hospital beds:
- Reduces the risk of falls occurring at 2am while attempting to go to the restroom
- Allows individuals to move about within their bed without needing assistance from others
- Improves blood flow/circulation to the lower extremities which may contribute to feelings of fatigue
- Makes it easier for visiting nurses or PSWs to conduct their duties
- Provides adjustable back/neck support
Installation and Maintenance
One concern I had was how difficult it was going to be to transport large items of equipment into the bedroom. Therefore, I researched hospitals bed rentals near me with installation. The very next day, a team of professionals arrived at our residence and installed the bed. They transported the heavy equipment into the bedroom, instructed us on how to properly utilize the side-rails of the bed and answered any questions we may have. Having professionals handle the installation removed significant amounts of stress and anxiety from this process. From that point forward, Mom felt secure in her bedroom.
Comfort Solutions for the Living Room – Lift Chairs
The living room is likely the most used area in my mothers’ home. She likes to watch TV and engage in activities such as knitting. Due to her declining mobility, her previous armchair had become a confinement. We recognized that she required a special type of chair referred to as a lift chair. Lift chairs resolved both of her comfort-related concerns during daytime hours.
How Lift Chairs Bridge the Gap Between Sitting Down and Standing Up
From outward appearance, a lift chair resembles a conventional recliner. However, under its plush cushions lies a strong internal motor that gradually rotates the entire seat. Once rotated, the chair begins to lift the occupant into a standing position. Instead of using brute strength to rock back-and-forth in order to push herself out of a recliner causing exhaustion, my mother simply uses a remote control to elevate herself into a standing position.
Benefits Provided by Lift Chairs
In addition to providing comfort, lift chairs provide numerous additional benefits for seniors:
- Traditional recliners apply increased pressure on weakened knee joints; lift chairs do not
- Smooth functioning reduces instances of unexpected dizziness
- Many models offer warmth/massaging functions for enhanced relaxation
- Provide a safe haven for napping
- Available in multiple colors and patterns that complement home décor
We discovered a design that matched both her existing rug and wall decorations perfectly. It looked like high-end furniture – not like medical equipment. Consequently, Mom feels less like an invalid in her home.
Safety Solutions for Home Care – Hospital Bed Rentals
As my mother’s needs continued to grow, we pursued more specialized features. Traditional beds lack the structural integrity necessary for extended recuperation periods. Therefore, we upgraded our plan and acquired a home-care hospital bed rental Toronto equipped with specialized features designed specifically for 24-hour use.
Features of Home-Care Mattresses – Improving Sleep Quality & Reducing Pressure Ulcer Risk
Pressure ulcers are yet another major concern affecting seniors requiring extensive bed rest due to an illness/disability. A home care mattress is far superior to mattresses available at retail outlets. Home care mattresses distribute weight across the body much more evenly than traditional mattresses. Additionally, home care mattresses incorporate waterproof layers which are extremely easy to clean/disinfect.
- Medical-grade foams support the natural curvature of the spine
- Breathable materials keep users cool
- Side rails enable users to grasp onto them when transitioning positions in bed
- Castors allow users to roll the mattress out-of-the-way for cleaning purposes
Since we introduced a home care mattress, we observed an almost immediate positive impact on my mother’s mood. Improved quality of sleep directly correlates with improved quality of days. Since she slept better, she possessed more energy for her PT sessions. Essentially, the bed assisted her in her rehabilitation efforts.
Advantages of Renting vs Purchasing Medical Equipment
Renting medical equipment is generally preferred over purchasing equipment outright. This is primarily due to the rapid changes in medical equipment demands resulting from accidents/injuries/diseases. If we choose to obtain different types of beds, the rental company will replace them for us. Furthermore, the rental company assumes responsibility for performing all maintenance tasks associated with the equipment including replacement/reparation of worn-out/broken components. We never have to worry about faulty equipment or squeaky frames. By conducting an online search for hospital bed rentals near me with installation services, I identified a credible vendor offering local repair services if any issues arise with either item of equipment.
Creating a Comprehensive Plan for Aging-In-Place
Utilizing multiple technologies simultaneously results in successful aging-in-place experiences in many cases. In addition to renting electric hospital beds and lift chairs; we also installed multiple bathroom grab bars as part of our multi-faceted strategy supporting my mother’s ability to age-in-place.
Additional suggestions:
- Eliminate all rugs in your home; they create trip hazards
- Install bright/motion-sensitive night-lights throughout your home
- Position a phone/emergency alert system near your bed at all times
Hospital bed rental companies typically supply other supportive items; we rented a walker/bedside table from the same company supplying our electric hospital bed rental Toronto products; thus eliminating separate monthly bills and ensuring that all items meet similar quality standards.
Preserving Dignity Through Independence
While aging relates to physical health; it also relates to maintaining dignity. Prior to acquiring her new hospital bed rental Toronto and lift chair; my mother lost her sense of independence; she felt defeated when unable to stand on her own; she felt frustrated when unable to get comfortable in her bed. The lift chair gave her back her living room; and the specialized hospital bed gave her back her sleep. She has been able to host her book club again; she is able to walk about her environment with confidence and self-respect once again. Familiar environments can possibly aid in preserving mental acuity as well.
Conclusion
Preparation involves planning ahead for you and your family members addressing potential future challenges faced by your elderly relatives. Take a fresh look at your home environment; identify potential obstacles prior to an accident occurring. The initial step in our preparation process was securing a hospital bed rental Toronto; which converted an overwhelming situation into one that was manageable. Today, my mother resides comfortably and safely at home and continues to spend time in her favorite chair.
If you’re starting this process today, begin with equipment that provides peace of mind concerning your family member’s safety and start researching local vendors today.