It gets to a stage in our lives where we discover that a standard consumer bed is insufficient. This may be as a result of injury, aging, or illness. The engineering of home hospital bed is such that it has features that improves support, comfort, safety, and the treatment of people with various medical conditions and issues. A lot of people need it to live standard life.
Hospital beds can be obtained in two main ways. Through outright purchase or rent. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will x-ray the pros and cons of buying and renting. We will also analyze the best option for people in specific conditions. We will also try to provide answers to the recurring question of whether a hospital bed should be purchased or rented.
Advantages of renting a hospital bed
1. Spread the cost: This is visibly one of the pros of renting a hospital bed. The full cost does not have to be paid upfront. Although hospital beds are less costly than other medical devices, finding the money may be a challenge. This is particularly true for high-end beds that have multiple electronic adjustments. By renting, you can spread the cost over time but it isn’t always a money-saver all the time.
2. Short-term need: If the hospital bed isn’t expected to be used for more than some months, renting may be the best option. If an individual needs a home hospital bed as they convalesce from a broken leg or any other condition that isn’t expected to be long term, renting may be more economical than an outright purchase.
3. Try before purchasing: A hospital bed is a form of investment. If you are uncertain about buying one, you can experiment by first renting one for a period until your mind is made up. This helps you avoid long-term commitments.
Disadvantages of renting a hospital bed
1. Higher long-term cost: It is quite expensive to rent a hospital bed for more than a short time. If it will be needed for more than a short period, it is better to make an outright purchase. Typically, renting a midrange hospital bed costs around $350 per month. Renting one may be cost-effective if it is only needed for a few months. If a person is aging or suffering from a long-term disease or sickness, it is cost-effective to make an outright purchase.
2. Limited quality and choice: Just like every other company or venture, companies that specialize in renting hospital beds are keen on maximizing profit and lowering cost. As a result of this, they have a limited range of bed in store. Although if the business owner is responsible, he’d ensure that the quality of the bed is top-notch, rented hospital beds aren’t particularly top-quality. Hence, when compared to the best hospital beds, they do not provide the desired level of comfort and convenience.
3. Rental beds aren’t new: Except on rare occasions, if you rent a hospital bed, there is a high chance that it has been used severally by another person. Although they undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection before delivery, this doesn’t mean they would be entirely free from contaminants. Also, there are mechanical parts and motors in adjustable hospital beds and these components are susceptible to wear and tear with time. The level of comfort derived from older hospital beds that have been used over time is usually lower and these beds are less effective too. There is also a high chance that they will develop a fault overtime.
4. The bed does not belong to you: You’d find rented hospital beds in standard configurations. Therefore, the renter has no say on how it is designed or customized. Also, when renting a hospital bed, there is a long list of contractual obligations that the renter is expected to fulfill.
Advantages of buying a hospital bed
1. It is usually less expensive than renting: As initially stated, renting a hospital bed for long-term use is usually more expensive than making an outright purchase. We are not shying away from the fact that hospital beds costs more than standard beds. Nonetheless, investing in a hospital bed improves the lifestyle of a patient. An aging person or someone battling with mobility issues will benefit immensely from investing in a hospital bed. If you will need the bed for more than a few months, it is better and cheaper to make a purchase.
2. Select the appropriate bed for your condition: Purchasing a hospital bed gives you the power and freedom to select one that has the specific features you desire. It gives you the ability to select the leg, height, and foot adjustments desired. When you purchase a hospital bed outrightly, you are in total control.
3. Select the bed that matches your budget and needs: You’d have access to modern medical bed technology and latest designs if you opt to make an outright purchase. By renting, you’d only be able to enjoy basic privileges and a limited range of models. There is a wide array of options to select from and it is up to the buyer to take advantage of this.
4. The bed becomes yours: The bed is yours. So, you are allowed to do as you please with it. You don’t have to be extra careful with it just as you would with a rented one. Feeling a sense of ownership is good for patients who use hospital bed for long hours. They should be confident enough to modify and adjust it as they want without the fear of damaging or destroying it. Rented hospital beds are made and designed for the purpose of rentals. They are expected to conform to rental industry standards, nothing more than that.
Disadvantages of buying a hospital bed
The most notable disadvantage of hospital bed purchase is that payment has to be made upfront. As mentioned, ab initio, renting is more expensive than buying if the bed is needed for a long time. However, it is important to state that the full cost of a hospital bed is not cheap. If you are financially incapable of buying a hospital bed, you may be left with no option but to rent albeit it will be more expensive in the long run.