When caring for a bedridden loved one, caregivers are forced to exert incredible amounts of energy physically. Every single time they have to Lift the patient, it puts a tremendous amount of strain on their muscles. Fortunately, by setting up a suitable space in your home, you can greatly impact your overall health.
The emotional side of buying a medical bed for your loved one at home
Although buying a medical bed for your loved one is a necessary part of taking care of them when they can’t get up and walk around anymore, it seems like an overwhelming task. Bringing medical equipment into your home changes the feel of what used to be a very comfortable and quiet bedroom. Many families put off making the purchase because of the emotional barrier of bringing medical equipment into the home.
Additionally, if your loved one will have to start using a medical bed, they may fight against it due to the fear of losing some of their independence.
Therefore, you should be prepared to address both of those fears with extreme patience.
How to make the Transition less stressful
Having open communication among all parties involved makes a huge difference in reducing tension within your home. Involving your loved one in the planning process of getting a medical bed can greatly benefit in lessening the resistance he/she has towards accepting the use of a medical bed. Emphasize how having a medical bed will improve his/her ability to watch television comfortably, spend quality time together in bed with the family, etc. Choose comfortable-looking linens for the bed so that the bed doesn’t seem as “medical” looking. Explain to him/her how using a medical bed protects your health (and ultimately their well-being) when providing care.
The physical toll of traditional home care
Traditional mattresses require caregivers to manually reposition patients. Frequent bending occurs while caregivers pull/lean backward at awkward angles. Lower back injuries occur from the constant pulling/pulling motion.
Rather than risking serious injury to yourself from lifting or caregiving, consider modern mechanical assistance, such as renting an electric hospital bed. Once you’ve secured an electric hospital bed rental, the whole caregiving dynamic will be different immediately. You’ll never have to worry about lifting or moving patients again with risk to yourself.
Why does manual lifting cause cargiver back strain?
Manual lifting does not follow safe ergonomic principles. Repeatedly lifting heavy loads damages spinal discs. Preventative measures are critical.
- Bending forward while supporting a patient’s torso puts muscle strain on the caregiver.
- Twisting your spine during transfers can cause immediate injury risks.
- Pulling across a large traditional mattress limits your leverage.
- Repetitive pulling motions gradually wear down shoulder joints.
Key Benefits of adjustable medical beds
Adjustable beds automatically move or adjust surfaces eliminating the need for brute physical force. Modern adjustable beds take advantage of motors doing most of the heavy lifting for caregivers. Mechanical features improve daily comfort for users.
With a few clicks of a button, the entire sleeping surface will rise smoothly. With this feature, caregivers can provide care at an ergonomically-friendly height which eliminates unnecessary compression of the spine during daily care.
Features that support spinal health
Customizable positioning options are available on today’s medical furniture. Options exist for various types of daily care. Consider the following mechanical options:
- Elevation: Raise/lower bed height to match caregiver’s hip level.
- Trendelenburg positioning: supports healthy lower-body blood flow.
- Head/electronic head elevation: makes transitions into sitting positions smooth and easy.
- Knee Gatch controls: prevents the user from sliding down.
Transforming the whole living space
The requirements for safety do not stop once you enter the bedroom. Mobility issues present just as big of a challenge for seniors in the living room as they do in the bedroom. Deep, soft couches are notorious for trapping individuals with weakened leg muscles. Families typically decide to purchase Lift chair mechanisms in order to resolve this problem. These specialized recliners will gently raise the individual to a standing position safely. Transfers during the day will then become virtually painless.
Integrating advanced seating solutions
Don’t restrict your safety improvements to only the bedroom. The living room also deserves attention. Lift chairs provide beautiful ways to independently transfer throughout the day.
- Mechanisms that gently tilt assistive devices protect fragile knee joints.
- Lift chair mechanisms controlled remotely decrease caregiver lifting duties.
- Supportive plush cushions can help alleviate pressure points associated with long periods of sitting.
- Armrests on each side provide stable handholds when attempting to stand.
Researching and acquiring equipment providers
Carefully researching local equipment providers is key in selecting reliable equipment and good customer service. Finding the right terms however, takes time.
Most families search for “hospital bed rental near me” with installation first. Hiring professionals to set up your new equipment ensures that it is working safely from the moment you receive it. Additionally, hiring experienced delivery teams to deliver and assemble your equipment means they will handle all the heavy lifting.
What to look for in an equipment provider
Always review technical support information before entering into a rental agreement. Reliable vendors supply high-quality products and comprehensive customer service. Check and confirm the following important service details:
- 24-hour emergency repair services for mechanical failures
- Sanitized clean equipment meeting strict health codes
- Flexibility in extending monthly contracts according to your schedule
- Delivery teams that explain operation of remote control buttons
Maximizing comfort and peace of mind at home with rented medical beds
Renting an electric hospital bed provides a safe and protected environment for caregiving. By balancing the comfort of the user with caregiver safety, household stress is reduced.
You can easily find additional tools that work in conjunction with rented medical beds to provide a continuous and seamless care experience. For example, after securing a hospital bed rental near me with installation, you can explore how Lift chairs may allow you to enjoy safe living room activities during the day.
If an equipment vendor states there is no need for paperwork or no need for documentation—double-check their credentials. All reputable medical equipment providers document and track all rentals professionally.
Final checklist for preparation of floor plan
By preparing your floor plan prior to equipment delivery, you’ll make the delivery process much smoother. Removing obstacles from the pathway will eliminate potential tripping hazards once everything is installed. Complete these practical preparations:
- Remove any loose area rugs from where delivery personnel will be walking through.
- Measure doorways carefully so that the frame will fit through.
- Leave at least a 3-foot radius empty around where you’re going to install everything.
- Use power strip(s) with built-in surge protector(s) close to the wall outlet.
Conclusion
Providing protection for your own physical body will allow you to continue providing excellent care to your loved ones for years to come. An adjustable medical mattress is something you should consider purchasing, not something you should wait until you develop a debilitating back injury to finally get around to purchasing.