It has been common knowledge for many years that having your elderly parents at home is better than placing them in a nursing facility. As such, I converted my guest room into what I considered to be a perfect “cozy” retreat. While I thought good-looking wallpaper and some soft pillows were the key to creating a warm & inviting place for my dad, I had no idea how important a functional piece of medical equipment would be to his comfort and well-being.
The illusion of a perfect guest room
I really did believe that a regular old queen-size bed with a new (high-quality) mattress would do just fine. That was until my dad’s mobility issues became much worse due to his post-surgery recovery. Getting him in and out of the bed became almost impossible, and therefore, my beautiful guest room turned into a daily accident waiting to happen.
Why standard mattresses fail
There are several things wrong with using a standard home mattress to help someone recover from injuries or illnesses. First, they don’t have the design engineering capabilities to provide adequate support for extended periods of time. In fact, they tend to cause pressure point problems instead of solve them.
Standard home mattresses:
- Do not evenly disperse body weight.
- Lack adjustable head and foot sections.
- Soft sides will not provide any kind of support during transfers.
- Changing the sheets is also bad news for caregivers’ backs.
The turning point: Prioritizing Safety over aesthetics
One late night at home changed everything for me. When my dad tried to get out of bed, he came close to falling. That was the final straw for me. I knew then that we needed professional equipment right away. I quit looking around at furniture websites and started looking for a hospital bed for home care. Suddenly, security and functionality became so much more important than matching the colour scheme of the room.
Realizing we needed immediate help
A crisis involving mobility does not leave you with plenty of time to plan ahead. What you need is a fast and reliable solution to deal with the problem. Fortunately, there are many local medical suppliers who know exactly how fast you need something. I found that same day hospital bed rentals were available locally and would fix our crisis by night fall. The delivery people showed up promptly and installed the whole system.
Discovering benefits of clinical design
Medical beds are designed differently for valid reason. Every feature is meant to promote the safety of the patient and reduce the burden placed upon the caregiver. For example, the fully electric bedframe adjusts height simply by clicking a few buttons; this feature greatly reduces the difficulty of transferring. Furthermore, the sturdy side rails provide excellent leverage when repositioning.
Main features of a true medical bed
Hospital beds for home care are capable of meeting both the medical needs of patients and the comforts of residential life. They are able to withstand heavy use on a daily basis.
Locking casters located centrally on the frame will keep the entire bed still while making transfers.
Remote controls provided to patients enable them to control their own position.
Cleaning of high-impact headboards is easy with standard household cleaners and disinfectants.
The low profile design greatly reduces the chance of serious injury from an accidental fall.
Preventing skin damage caused by excessive pressure
Skin damage occurs frequently as a result of extended periods of lying in bed. Prolonged pressure creates friction which leads to significant damage to fragile tissue.
Thus, upgrading your mattress is essential for providing long term comfort. Using a Pressure Relief Mattress Rental was instrumental in improving the sleeping conditions for my father. Alternating air cells on the surface redistribute body weight constantly throughout the night promoting circulation and preventing discomfort.
How advanced surfaces manage discomfort
Advanced therapy surfaces for patients who lie in bed for long periods of time address the underlying factors leading to skin damage.
- Alternating pressure cycles eliminate prolonged contact with tissues.
- Air flow systems maintain a cool, dry skin temperature.
- Water proof coverings protect internal foam layers from water damage.
- All fire retardent materials used meet strict standards established by institutions.
Hidden costs of delaying action
Families typically avoid investing in this type of equipment because they feel they can not afford it. They usually assume that purchasing is their only option.
Renting, however, provides financial flexibility for short term recovery situations. Renting enables families to utilize premium equipment without making large up front investments. The rental agency also handles all maintenance and repair for free.
Why rental beats buying for short-term care
- Renting provides families with the ability to transition to changing medical needs with ease.
- Rental eliminates the burden associated with owning equipment for long periods of time.
- Rental contracts are flexible and can be scaled up from weeks to months or even years.
- Rental agents take responsibility for delivering, installing, and removing equipment.
- Equipment can be swapped out if/when physical needs change.
- Removing equipment from your property is completed immediately once your parent recovers.
Transferring to a permanent home solution
In many cases temporary home care transitions into long-term care for a loved one. Your needs may evolve as months go by.
At some point, renting may no longer be cost-effective, especially since you will likely have invested thousands of dollars already. At that point it becomes practical to Purchase hospital bed online from an authorized retailer. Once purchased, you will possess a reliable resource that meets your needs now and potentially in the future.
Questions to consider prior to purchasing
Prioritize thinking about your overall long-term care strategy before deciding whether or not you should purchase equipment. Yomoneythe long run by doing so.
- Will your loved one require Trendelenberg positioning features in the future?
- Is there sufficient clearance in your room to accommodate a full-sized bedframe?
Does the manufacturer guarantee parts locally? Are there any future upgrade possibilities, i.e., overhead trapeze bar?
What peace of mind comes from knowing your loved one is safe
After modifying my guest room into a more clinically-oriented space, I am finally able to breathe easier. There is less stress involved in getting my dad in/out of bed each day/night. He sleeps more peacefully without pain. And I am able to sleep better knowing he is safe & sound.
Breakthroughs in our daily care routines
Modifying our equipment has revolutionized our daily lives. Our daily routines have returned to normalcy.
- My father is now able to sit upright for meals with family members.
- Caregivers are able to assist with daily dressing without straining their backs.
- Pressure relief mattress rental prevents friction-related pain during repositioning.
- Everyone in my family has confidence in safely navigating the bedroom area.
Setting-up your local delivery process
Don’t let logistics scare you during this chaotic time either! Reliable providers simplify the delivery process greatly!
When you order a same-day hospital bed rental provider, clear the path to the bedroom immediately! Remove small rugs, low coffee tables, etc. From here, the safely bring in and assemble the big piecess safely. Before leaving, they’ll show you all remote functions.
Your Final Checklist for Home Installation
To ensure successful installation, please prepare your space accordingly!
- Check that there’s a grounded outlet within 6 ft of where the bed will reside.
- Remove ALL obstacles from hallway paths to the delivery truck.
- Remove any OVERHEAD LIGHT FIXTURES that will obstruct the TRAPEZE LIFTING SYSTEM.
- Store User Manual next to Bed in Drawer for Quick Troubleshooting reference.
CONCLUSION
It took me awhile emotionally to give up on our aesthetically pleasing guest room style. But nothing matters more to me than keeping my dad safe! If you’re dealing with similar issues with standard beds, STOP WAITING! Research your options NOW to buy hospital beds online or call a rental company TODAY!