Quick and strong as they once were, aging people may no longer be gifted with the physical health of their younger years. Frailty makes even the simplest of acts difficult. Add immobility to the mix, and seniors will be challenged in everyday activities—like getting into and out of bed.

Such heartbreaking scenarios call for compassionate measures and home health care. Installing a hospital bed is one solution to the daily nighttime and morning problems that vulnerable seniors face. A hospital bed eliminates the inherent dangers experienced by weakened seniors when they attempt to enter or exit the bed.

What is a hospital bed?

Sterile and plain as they seem, hospital beds these days are designed to be comforting additions to a home environment. These specialized beds feature options commonly found in beds in medical facilities. These features allow frail individuals to safely get into and out of the bed.

When should a hospital bed be purchased?

The senior’s medical doctor may be the first to recommend and prescribe a hospital bed. The elderly patient may suffer from breathing problems, congestive heart failure or other medical issues that require their head to be sufficiently elevated during rest.

Elderly individuals are good candidates for a hospital bed when they are unable to change bodily positions when sleeping on a traditional bed. Or, they may be unable to experience quality sleep on a regular bed. Others may require traction from a bed for support.

If an aging loved one has trouble with physical stability, the side rails of a hospital bed provide much-needed support when the senior enters and exits the bed. These railings act as barriers to prevent a weakened individual from rolling out of bed and sustaining subsequent injury.

Seniors who spend excessive time in bed are prone to ulcers. Hospital beds that feature air mattresses have the ability to deliver alternating pressure, which helps keep pressure ulcers at bay. These pressure mattresses also help to evenly distribute the senior’s body weight.

What are features of various hospital beds?

Remote adjustment is a common feature of hospital beds. A remote or buttons on the side of the bed are used to shift the bed’s height or change its position. Caregivers or seniors without physical strength rely on the remote or buttons to raise and lower the bed.

low on the ground are ideal for seniors who have a high risk for falling or who experience mobility issues. With a lower height (often a foot off the floor) than other types of hospital beds, these beds can be adjusted, but within a smaller range.

Bariatric hospital beds support heavyweight seniors, since they can sustain a greater weight than typical hospital beds. These beds are built with a wider mattress. With fully electric mechanisms, the bariatric hospital beds can be raised and lowered with no physical effort from caregivers.

Certain beds, like the Trendelenburg hospital bed, are designed for seniors who are paralyzed, injured or have mobility problems. Each section of the bed can be individually adjusted to ensure maximum comfort. The head of the bed may be positioned lower than the foot of the bed, for instance.

Can hospital beds be rented?

Hospital beds are far more expensive than traditional beds. More affordable fully electric hospital beds can cost $845. On the opposite end of the price spectrum, the cost of electric hospital beds can spike up to $2400. Electing to buy a hospital bed is a weighty financial decision.

The good news is that hospital beds can be rented. Renting a hospital bed is extremely economical, especially when a senior loved one experiences a temporary injury, like a hip fracture or is recovering at home from surgery.

For long-term scenarios, hospital beds may be covered by Medicare. Falling into the category of medical supplies, hospital beds may be purchased with medical insurance. Medicare will only cover the cost of the bed if the buyer proves medical necessity and the need is documented by a doctor. You may also look for places that sell “gently used” hospital beds at a fraction of the price for a new one.

Considering all of the above, if the senior in your life is unable to safely get into or out of the bed, is prone to bed sores or requires elevation while sleeping due to a medical condition, then buying a hospital bed sooner rather than later is a good choice.

Aging people are increasingly relying on hospital beds in recent times, especially since a greater number choose to age in the comfort of home. As seniors age in place, hospital beds support their fragile conditions far more aptly than non-adjustable traditional beds.

Hospital beds are also beneficial to caregivers. Since most hospital beds can be raised and lowered electronically, caregivers do not have to stoop and lift as much. This versatility prevents the physical injuries caregivers are likely to sustain after overexerting themselves while lifting a senior.

Whether or not families choose to purchase a hospital bed for extra support, they certainly should consider bringing in a compassionate caregiver from a reliable home care agency, like Assisting Hands Home Care. Our professional caregivers contribute to a secure environment for your senior loved one.

Our comprehensive non-medical services ensure that the senior in your life is well looked after. Dedicated caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care help with all aspects of personal care, from bathing to dressing and meal preparation to light housekeeping.

In addition to help with personal care, caregivers from our senior care agency perform a safety evaluation of the senior’s home. We make sure the environment is safe for elderly individuals. Removing rugs that increase slip risks is just one way to preserve the well-being of seniors in our care.

Families and their elderly loved ones in West Palm Beach, Florida, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for our flexible and reliable elder care services. Our representatives are ready to answer questions or guide your senior loved one on the path toward aging gracefully at home.