Being able to recover at home in a way that feels safe, comfortable, and stress free is very important to many families. However, when families focus on medication and therapy, they often overlook another important part of their loved ones’ health and wellness — the height of the bed. For Seniors, people recovering from surgery, and those who have little to no mobility, a regular household bed increases the chances of falling and creates difficulties in movement.
Low hospital beds are changing how we take care of our loved ones at home. They bring a level of safety found in hospitals into our everyday living spaces. Adjustable height capabilities, advanced positioning, and caregiver friendly design provide accident prevention opportunities while creating a more comfortable experience for Patients.
Whether you are taking care of a loved one, or planning your own recovery, learning about why height is so important will make a big difference in your decision-making process.
What is a low hospital bed?
A low hospital bed is an adjustable medical bed that can be lowered down to near the floor unlike regular hospital beds. When someone using this type of bed loses their balance and falls, the reduced distance between the mattress and the floor results in less damage to them. Unlike normal beds, low hospital beds can also be raised for caregivers to work with Patients in ways that do not require lifting and twisting which helps prevent injuries to themselves.
How much does bed height matter?
The amount of time and energy required to safely enter and exit a bed is entirely dependent upon the height of the bed. With a bed that is too high there is a lack of stability for Patients to stand on solid ground. A bed that is too low does not give Patients enough strength to stand up, especially after surgery or being ill.
An adjustable low bed allows Patients to choose the optimal height throughout each day, eliminating either problem. Benefits of an adjustable bed include:
- Reduced chance of falling
- Simplification of patient transfer
- Caregiver ease of access
- More independence for the patient
- Comfort for the patient
- More confidence during recovery
Prevention of falling before it occurs
one of the largest concerns for senior citizens and those recovering at home is Preventing Falls. one minor slip in the middle of the night could result in broken bones, extended recovery times, additional doctor visits and even hospital readmission.
Adjustable low hospital beds can reduce the number of falls experienced by:
- Decreasing the distance to the floor
- Facilitating nighttime exits
- Allowing Patients’ feet to sit flat prior to standing
- Providing secure transfers to wheel chairs
- Working with side rails and floor mats
Rather than waiting for a fall occurs and then trying to address it, families can establish a safer recovery area from the start.
Greater independence for Patients
A lot of people would like to maintain some degree of independence while they are recovering. Asking for help constantly can negatively affect self-confidence and overall emotional well-being.
An adjustable low hospital bed makes daily tasks simpler. Patients can:
- Be seated comfortably
- Sleep in different positions
- Get in/out of bed with less assistance
- Watch tv/read comfortably
- Find the perfect sleeping position
While these may seem insignificant, they can enhance Patients’ confidence through-out their entire recovery.
Better support for caregivers
As a caregiver at home performs countless physical acts on behalf of their Patients. Every lift, every repositioning of the patient, etc., can ultimately exhaust caregivers.
To minimize the strain on caregivers caused by performing physical acts related to caregiving duties, low hospital beds were created to assist in reducing strain when adjusting working heights when interacting with Patients. Benefits of utilizing Electric hospital beds for caregivers include:
- Less bending
- Less strain on back muscles
- Easier re-positioning of the patient
- Improved accessibility during hygiene care
- Safe transfers
Both caregivers and Patients benefit greatly from this improved interaction.
Better sleeping conditions lead to greater healing
Getting quality sleep is crucial for healing. Discomfort and pain are common causes of interrupted rest. Modern low hospital beds offer numerous positional features to promote comfort throughout the night. Patients can position their head, legs, knees or entire body for maximum relaxation and relief. These adjustments can potentially alleviate Pressure points, reduce swelling, improve circulation and help with easier breathing while asleep.
Perfect for many types of recoveries
Low hospital beds aren’t exclusively for hospitals. More and more families are choosing to use low hospital beds in their homes for both short term and long term care. These beds are specifically beneficial for:
- Post-surgical recovery
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Arthritis sufferers
- Senior citizens with balance issues
- Parkinson disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Long-term home care
- Hospice care
- Those with mobility limitations
Regardless of whether you rent or buy a low hospital bed, its adjustable features will continue to serve the needs of your loved one as their recovery continues.
Creating a safe recovery area in your home
For low hospital beds to be effective in helping to create a safe recovery area at home, along with installing a low hospital bed, there are several other items you might want to install around your bed including:
- Anti-slip flooring
- Bedside lighting
- Grab bars
- Over-bed tables
- Mobility devices
- Pressure relief mattresses
- If necessary bedside commode units
In combination, these types of items will create a safe area for your loved one to recover in while minimizing potential hazards.
Leasing vs purchasing a low hospital bed
There isn’t always a need for everyone who uses a hospital bed to purchase one. Leasing is usually the most cost-effective solution for:
- Temporary recovery
- Post-operative care
- Recovery from injury
- Short term illness
Purchasing may be worth considering if:
- Your loved one has long-term medical condition
- Has progressive neurological disorder
- Has permanent mobility impairment
- Requires ongoing home healthcare
You’ll need to consider whether renting or Buying a low hospital bed based upon your loved ones expected recovery time frame and needs.
Features that make a difference
When you decide what kind of low hospital bed you’d like to lease or purchase you’ll want to look for features that create both safety and convenience for yourself and your loved one.
Some things to think about when shopping for a low hospital bed include:
- Motorized height adjustment
- Ability to elevate head & foot
- Lockable caster wheels
- Emergency lowering capability
- Quiet motor operation
- Simple-to-use hand controls
- Ability to use Pressure relieving mattress on top of the bed
- Sturdy steel frame
- Compatibility with side rails
All of these characteristics will help create a safe and convenient recovery area for your loved one.