Aging people do not have the strength or physical ability to do the things they were once able to do. This is not unnatural, and it is normal for physical health to deteriorate as humans advance in age. They find it hard to perform basic tasks because of their frail nature. It even gets worse when they are immobile, they will begin to struggle to get in and out of bed.
These are heartbreaking scenarios and these people need all the love and support they can get. It calls for compassionate steps to be taken and one of these steps is to install a hospital bed. It will go a long way in easing the burdens of vulnerable seniors. With a hospital bed, we can neutralize the dangers associated with getting in and out of bed for seniors.
What is a hospital bed?
A hospital bed is meticulously designed to provide comfort for ailing and aging persons. It can be described as a comforting addition even if they are plain and sterile most times. It is a specialized bed with features that aids the recovery of a patient. These features make it possible for frail people to enter or exit the bed easily.
When should I spend on a hospital bed?
The physician or doctor of your senior loved one would likely be the first person to recommend a hospital bed. The aged person may be battling with congestive heart failure, breathing problems, or similar medical problems that warrants raising the head to a height during rest.
When an elderly person starts finding it difficult to change bodily positions with ease on a traditional bed, it may just be the right time to switch to a hospital bed. They may also become eligible when they start finding it hard to secure quality sleep on a conventional bed. If a senior is battling with physical stability, the hospital bed’s side rails will act as a support mechanism when the senior goes in and out of bed. The bed rails also act as a barrier that guards a weak person so that he or she doesn’t fall out of bed and sustain more injuries.
If a senior stays too long in bed, there is a chance that ulcer will be developed. However, a hospital bed with an air mattress can help prevent this because of the alternating pressure delivered. They also help with even distribution of body weight.
Hospital bed features
A lot of hospital beds feature remote adjustments. The height and position of the bed can be adjusted by pressing a remote or buttons strategically positioned bedside. Vulnerable seniors and caregivers lower or raise the bed with these buttons or remote.
The bed should be positioned lowly on the ground if there is a high chance that the user will fall off or if the user is suffering from mobility issues.
Heavyweight seniors can make use of bariatric hospital beds because of its ability to sustain greater weight than conventional beds. Bariatric beds are designed to use wider mattress, and it does not need physical effort from the user and caregivers to be raised or lowered.
We also have beds designed for paralyzed seniors. An example of this type of bed is the Trendelenburg hospital bed. The bed can be adjusted easily for maximum comfort. For instance, the head of the Trendelenburg hospital bed can be positioned below the foot of the bed.
Can I rent a hospital bed?
Conventional and traditional beds are typically less expensive than hospital beds. Low-cost electric hospital beds are available for about $845. An electric hospital bed can cost up to $2400. If you have decided to buy a hospital bed, you should know that it requires huge financial investments.
Thankfully, hospital beds can be rented. This is an economical option for people with financial limitation. It is also okay to rent a hospital bed if the injury sustained by a senior loved one is temporary. An example of such an injury is a hip fracture.
If a hospital bed is needed for long-term use, there is a chance that it will be covered by Medicare. Hospital beds are categorized under medical supplies and it is possible to acquire them with medical insurance. The cost of the bed will be covered by Medicare if the person doing the purchase can prove that it is medically necessary and there is a prescription from a doctor or physician. You may also be on the lookout for places where “fairly used” hospital beds are sold.
Analyzing all the above, we can establish that it is a good decision to spend on a hospital bed as soon as your senior loved one starts battling with sleep immobility or becomes susceptible to bed sores. This also applies to when a senior start struggling to get into bed or out of bed. In recent times, a lot of seniors have become reliant on hospital beds.
A hospital bed is not only beneficial to seniors, it also benefits caregivers because it eliminates the need for lifting and pushing. Therefore, it reduces the risk of caregivers sustaining physical injuries.