How to Choose a Hospital Bed for Home Use - Rehabmart.com

Sleep is critical in maintaining energy balance, cognitive function, and overall health. For those using a hospital bed at home due to illness, disability, or pain, finding the right bed is essential for achieving restorative sleep. This guide explores the key differences between hospital beds, offers honest customer feedback, answers frequently asked questions, and highlights important features to consider before purchasing.

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Things to Consider

Sleep is essential for your overall well-being, so your sleep space should be tailored to help you get the best rest possible! While you sleep, your brain recovers from the stresses of the day, and the quality and quantity of sleep directly impact your performance and decision-making. A good night's sleep leaves you feeling more alert, positive, and better equipped to ward off illness and tackle medical challenges. It also helps you get along with others and improves your overall physical and mental health.

Temporary vs Permanent 

If a person spends more than 15 hours daily in bed or requires long-term care, a full-electric home hospital bed offers the best comfort and durability while reducing physical strain on caregivers. However, these beds are also the most expensive. Manual and semi-electric beds are more affordable and may be suitable for short-term use, but they require more effort from caregivers and offer less independence for the patient.

Mobility of Patient

Patient mobility plays a crucial role in selecting the right home hospital bed. A highly adjustable electric or semi-electric bed is ideal for those who are unsteady or at risk of falling. It’s also a great choice for individuals who cannot reposition themselves or safely get in and out of bed without height adjustments. However, if a patient can get in and out of bed independently and stand steadily a manually adjusted bed may be a more cost-effective option.

Strength of Caregiver

Caregiver needs should be considered to ensure the proper level of care can be provided. For a patient requiring many position changes, a manual bed wouldn’t be the best choice. An electric bed will take the most strain off a caregiver. A caregiver’s strength and stamina should be considered when deciding which home hospital bed is best.

Size of the Patient

A bariatric bed is wider than a standard bed, providing greater comfort for heavier users. Pediatric patients will be safer and more comfortable in a child-sized bed. Beds can also be customized for taller patients. No matter the size needed, the right bed can be found!

Positioning

For patients who spend most of their time in bed, especially if mobility challenges prevent them from regularly self-repositioning, a hospital bed’s positioning features can significantly impact comfort and quality of sleep. The number of sections, position options, and height adjustability contribute to the user experience. Here are the most popular positioning options:

• Trendelenburg: The patient is supine, with the head below the feet. This position is used in a clinical setting to reverse hypotension, treat low cardiac output, insert central IV catheters, increase postural drainage, reduce leg swelling, and help move heavy patients up in bed. It also allows better access to insert venous catheters.
• Reverse Trendelenburg: The patient is supine while the head is raised above the heart and the legs. It is used in surgeries of the head and neck to decrease blood loss and can also help decrease blood pressure.
• Comfort Chair: A hospital bed that can move a patient from a flat position to a seated position at a controlled rate with minimal patient movement helps relieve the lungs and supports circulation. Requiring a 4-function bed, the chair position uses sections that support the patient's back, bottom, arms, and legs.
• Fowler's Position: a standard position where the patient is seated in a semi-upright position at an angle between 30 and 90 degrees, with legs either bent or straight. It helps expand the chest as the top of the bed is raised and is often used to promote respiration and oxygenation.

Assembly Service

Optional assembly services simplify setting up a hospital bed at home, removing the guesswork and effort. During a stressful time, having professionals correctly assemble the bed can reduce anxiety and help create a calmer, more comfortable environment.

Rehabmart has a large selection of hospital beds and other products that offer assembly services.

Why Do I Need a Hospital Bed at Home?

A hospital bed at home can be a valuable tool for promoting rest and healing. Whether recovering from an injury, adjusting to mobility limitations, or transitioning from an in-patient stay, a home hospital bed can enhance health, independence, and overall quality of life. 

The adjustable knee and head sections improve incontinence support, and easy sanitization helps maintain a healthy environment. Repositioning options reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and provide comfortable postural support. Safety features like side rails, bolstered mattresses, and height adjustability further minimize the risk of falling out of bed.

What Is the Most Comfortable Hospital Bed?

This answer is different for everyone, but there are options to fit any needs. Beds that have multiple positions to correctly and comfortably support the body, mattresses that range in firmness, and available therapeutic features all impact the user's comfort.

What Is A Full-Electric Hospital Bed?

A full-electric hospital bed electrically adjusts the height, head, and foot positions with the press of a button. Benefits include fostering patient independence and safety features to ensure maximum user comfort and safety while minimizing the physical strain on a caregiver.

Can I Get a Hospital Bed for Home Use?

Yes, we have a wide selection of hospital and home care beds!

What Is a Semi-Electric Hospital Bed?

A semi-electric bed combines manual and electric adjustments. The head and foot sections are typically adjusted electrically, while a hand crank manually adjusts the bed’s height. This style is ideal for users who need to adjust the head and foot sections for comfort but don’t require frequent height adjustments when getting in and out of bed.

What Is a Bariatric Hospital Bed?

A bariatric hospital bed is designed to meet larger-framed users' size and support needs, handling more weight than standard hospital beds. Some models can support up to 1,000 pounds, while others are suited for patients weighing 350-450 pounds, filling the gap where standard beds fall short. With heavy-duty construction, these beds are durable and feature height adjustability, safety rails, and extra width to cater specifically to bariatric patients.

Does Medicare Cover Hospital Beds?

Medicare will cover home hospital beds if they are prescribed by a doctor as medically necessary durable medical equipment.

How Much Does a Fully Electric Hospital Bed Cost?

A fully electric home hospital bed can range from $500 to $, and the mattress isn’t always included, so consumers need to ensure they are also getting all the appropriate accessories when purchasing a bed.

What's the Difference Between an Electric Hospital Bed and an Adjustable Bed?

The primary purpose of a hospital bed is to provide effective care and treatment while ensuring patient safety and comfort. Adjustable beds are designed with a focus on maximizing user comfort and support for activities like sleeping, reading, eating, watching TV, or relaxing. They resemble standard beds more closely, while home hospital beds are geared toward treatment and often have a more institutional design and feel

What is a Hospital Bed For Home Care? 

A hospital bed for home care has features that cater to the needs of people recovering from an injury or who have to spend a lot of time in bed. Their adjustability makes them more appropriate than a standard bed for providing comfortable support and enabling caregivers to deliver quality care.

What are the Different Types of Hospital Beds?

There are three main types of hospital beds: manual, semi-electric, and full-electric. Below, we break down each bed and our top-recommended product.

Manual Hospital Beds

Drive Hospital Bed - Adjustable Height with Manual Bed Cranks by Drive Medical

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Manual hospital beds are the least expensive models, with fewer features than semi-electric or full-electric options. A manual hospital bed requires a caregiver to make adjustments via a hand crank, making them most appropriate when frequent adjustments are unnecessary.

Pros

• Least expensive type
• Good choice if frequent adjustments aren’t necessary

Cons

• Potential caregiver strain from making manual adjustments
• Not as many position choices as electric beds

Best Manual Hospital Bed: Multi-Height Manual Adjustable Beds by Drive Medical

Semi-Electric Hospital Beds

Competitor II Semi-Electric Hospital Bed by Drive Medical

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A semi-electric hospital bed is a good choice for someone who has good enough balance to not need to adjust the height of the bed to transfer on and off. This bed style uses electric and manual adjustments, with the head and foot sections usually adjusted electrically while the height is adjusted with a manual crank. 

Pros

• Easy to make heat and foot positioning adjustments
• Lower cost for the feature of head and foot adjustability than a full-electric home hospital bed
• User confidence and independence are supported with user-adjustability

Cons

• Must rely on a caregiver to make height adjustments
• Using a hand crank puts a strain on caregivers

Best Semi-Electric Hospital Bed: Competitor II Semi-Electric Hospital Bed by Drive Medical

Full Electric Hospital Beds

The height, head, and feet adjustments are made with the push of a button on a full-electric hospital bed. If a patient can control the bed positioning, it decreases reliance on caregiver assistance and increases independence and confidence. If a caregiver isn’t close by, most full-electric beds have a feature that locks the bed in position so a patient can’t accidentally move it into a position that could be dangerous.

Pros

• No strain on caregivers to adjust the bed
• When allowed, the user can adjust the bed without assistance
• Addresses multiple conditions and positioning needs: sleep, circulation, skin issues, aches and pains

Cons

• Highest price point due to the many electrical components

Best Full Electric Hospital Bed: Lumina Medical Electric Hospital Bed with 5 Functions

What Are Specialty Beds?

Adjustable Lift Bed with Sleep-to-Stand Feature - Envyy by Platinum Health

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Specialty hospital beds are specialized beds that are designed to meet very specific patient needs. Some specialty beds address fall risks, bariatric patient weight, and non-clinical designs. 

Although not hospital beds, sleep-to-stand beds have some of the exact positioning options as hospital beds. Sometimes, they are referred to as sit-to-stand beds or adjustable beds. They provide comfortable support for many things a person would use a home hospital bed for, like sleeping, reading, watching TV, or relaxing. They look more like standard beds and can be ordered in larger sizes to accommodate two sleepers. The less-institutional feel is attractive to many users. There are a few basic models with manually adjustable frames, but they are not used in caregiving settings. By far, most adjustable beds are fully electric, and some can take users from lying down to standing up for easy transfers. They are a good choice for people who seek some of the features of a hospital bed but want a traditional bed's look, feel, and size options.

Pros

• Adjustability can prevent falls during transfers
• Comfortable and supportive, with positioning customized for the user
• Choice of sizes

Cons

• Need to buy special mattress

Best Sleep to Stand Bed: Envyy EZ Out Sleep to Stand Electric Lift Bed - Twin Sized - Fixed Height - by Platinum Health

Low Bed

Accora Floor Bed High Low Hospital Bed

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Low beds are ideal for people with a higher risk of falling because they reduce the distance between the bed and the floor, decreasing the risk of injury from a fall. These beds make it easier for users to get in and out of bed, which helps minimize the strain on a caregiver during transfers. Usually, the height is adjusted electrically, and positioning adjustability includes elevating and reclining the head and feet sections and allowing for ergonomic lying down and sitting.

Pros

• Reduces caregiver strain
• Minimizes the risk of an injury from a fall
• Electric height adjustability
• Positions can be adjusted in several models

Cons

• Most low beds have an institutional look and feel

Best Low Bed: FloorBed by Accora, Floor Level Fall Prevention, Height-Adjustable, Ultra-Low Bed with Bariatric Option

Bariatric Hospital Bed

Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg

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Standard hospital beds have a weight capacity of 350 to 450 pounds. Bariatric hospital beds, also called heavy-duty beds, can accommodate users weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Along with heavy-duty construction and larger sizes, with widths as wide as 54 inches, bariatric hospital beds feature height adjustability and can be ordered with safety rails. A bariatric bed, especially for someone who can’t independently reposition in a smaller bed, will support a larger patient in comfort and dignity.

Pros

• Electric adjustability allows the patient to reposition independently without straining a caregiver
• Created specifically for patients who would not be safe or comfortable in a standard-sized bed
• Durable, heavy-duty construction

Cons

• Beds don’t always come with a mattress, so a special bariatric mattress will need to be ordered
• Bariatric beds are cumbersome to move

Best Bariatric Hospital Bed: Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg

Deluxe Hospital Bed

Full Electric Hospital Bed with 500 Pounds Weight Capacity - Advantage by Span America

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Deluxe hospital beds are built for long-term, heavy-duty use, meeting the needs of acute-care patients and caregivers. Side rails, mitigated entrapment risk, and exit alarms focus on patient safety. User-friendly controls include a nurse panel, and patients can adjust the bed position without assistance. Benefits of a deluxe bed include ease of treatment delivery provided by the maneuverability, electric height adjustability, and the list of accessories available with this type of bed.

Pros 

• User-friendly patient controls
• Safety features reduce the risk of unsafe exit and patient entrapment
• Constructed for heavy-duty, long-term use
• Highly adjustable to facilitate care and treatment

Cons

• High price point
• Look and feel of clinical medical equipment

Best Deluxe Hospital Bed: Span America Advantage Hospital Bed

Residential Design Bed

Adjustable Lift Bed with Sleep-to-Stand Feature - Envyy by Platinum Health

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Although not technically a hospital bed, residential design beds have hospital bed functionality in a bed you’d find at home. The ability to adjust this bed’s height and the option to install side rails make it easier for users to get out of bed than with a standard bed. The electric adjustability helps relieve pressure points and combat the development of bed sores, while the ergonomic positioning provides support and comfort. They can be ordered with waterproof mattress covers that contribute to a clinically sanitized environment at home. 

Pros

• Styled like furniture rather than medical equipment
• Functionality of a hospital bed
• Decreases fall risk, allows for more user independence
• Adjustable for individualized comfort

Cons

• Heavier than a regular bed
• Usually, does not accommodate standard mattress

Best Residential-Looking Hospital Bed: Adjustable Lift Bed with Sleep-to-Stand Feature - Envyy by Platinum Health

Fully-Enclosed Safety Bed

Beds by George - Haven Series Safety Bed

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Although not hospital beds, safety beds offer features that address special needs and medical conditions and support sleep in a secure space. Enclosed by walls, fabric, or rails, in sizes appropriate for children and adults. Safety beds protect from falls, prevent unassisted exits, provide easy caregiver access, and protect from entrapment or entanglement. They have features like padding to protect users who have seizures, access ports for medical equipment, and support for those with sensory processing disorders who benefit from a completely enclosed space. They come in fixed heights or with manual or powered height adjustability, and mattresses range from air to gel to articulating. Some portable models are easy to take along while traveling. 

Pros

• Provide caregiver peace of mind by preventing wandering and bed falls
• Access to supportive medical equipment
• Many models to choose from to fit individual needs
• Users with sensory processing disorders appreciate the calming, enclosed space

Cons

• Can take up a lot of room, so measuring the available room space is important
• Not all models are conducive to smooth wheelchair transfers

Best Safety Bed: Haven Full Enclosure Safety Bed with High Side Mesh Sides and Ceiling

Final Thoughts

When choosing a home hospital bed, select the options that best meet your needs for comfort and care to ensure the most restorative and healing sleep possible. We've reviewed the types of hospital beds available, and since not all beds come with dedicated mattresses, it's important to carefully consider your mattress needs as well.

For more information, please visit medical beds for sale.

To help you make up your mind and decide if an adjustable bed is the right choice for you we’ve done some research and used our own professional experiences to put together a list of advantages and disadvantages. It is important to keep in mind that adjustable beds differ immensely amongst each other just like Mattresses are. This article is based on a generalisation with points added to outline the performance of Bluesky Healthcare’s Adjustable Beds against the norm.

 Adjustable beds can be an easy way to receive a higher level of comfort for a number of reasons. It can provide better support to those who have breathing issues and must sleep upright. It can help to naturally relieve heartburn issues that someone may have. It even helps to promote the healing process – a fact hospitals have known for generations.

What Are the Pros of Adjustable Beds?

1. It provides a higher level of blood circulation at night.

 People are able to adjust their beds to provide an optimal amount of circulation based on what their needs may be. This makes sleeping easier on the entire circulatory system including the heart, and that’s never a bad thing. Adjustable beds also make it possible to target specific problematic areas, such as a joint or a leg, to raise them up to a therapeutic level. Bluesky Healthcare Beds (BSHC) allow you to fully customise your bed choosing from Head lift only, head and leg lift (knee break), massage and Hi/Lo functions to assist getting in and out of bed.

2. It helps to relieve the typical aches and pains that come with life.

 If you don’t have a chronic condition, you can still benefit from owning an adjustable bed. Muscles ache with activity and joints can begin to creak because of gravity. An adjustable bed helps to alleviate pain with better blood flow, the removal of stress from problematic areas, and weight shifting that can provide more overall comfort. The end result is an end to aches and pains without the need to take medication sometime.

3. It can relieve the symptoms of asthma.

 Sleeping flat on the back can be harmful to the health of someone who struggles with asthma or other breathing issues. A flat back creates a natural oxygen restriction that can even affect the health of several internal organs, not to mention trigger an asthma attack. Even if the issue is just allergy related or a bad case of sinusitis, an adjustable bed can provide the needed relief because it keeps airways open and allows for gravity to drain out the plugged up areas when needed.

4. Acid reflux can be effectively treated.

 If you wake up 2-3x per night because of a bitter burning taste in your mouth, then you may benefit from owning an adjustable bed. The same is true if you find yourself belching after meals for some time after you’ve finished eating. As little as a 6 inch incline can make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping the stomach acid where it is supposed to be. This eliminates the stress that is placed on the throat and promotes a better night of sleeping without heavy antacids or protein pump reducers that can affect the quality of sleep.

5. They allow for a greater level of independence.

 Adjustable beds are often a required item for those that have ongoing health issues that limit their mobility. Whether it is because of age, injury, or an inherited condition, these beds help to promote greater independence because they are easier to get in them or get out of them without any help. When handrails are included with the frame, the job to get into bed or get out becomes even easier. The Hi/Lo function can greatly assist in getting in and out of bed, you can use a combination of bring up the back of the bed to help prop yourself up and the Hi/Lo function to lift you up to a near standing position.

6. Massage Options in form of Vibrations

Vibration can help to stimulate aching muscles so that they no longer have the painful knots in them. Not only does this technology help to relieve potentially difficult physical symptoms, but the adjustable bed can be positioned in such a way that watching TV or reading a book is possible while the bed is doing its work.

7. They come in a wide variety of sizes.

 Just about any size of adjustable bed is available. Although the sizes are slightly different than the standard mattress sizes, you’ve got options from twin to king so that you’re needs can be met. Most adjustable beds that are purchased today tend to be queen or king beds because they provide the most supports, but there are literally hundreds of choices that are available in today’s marketplace. All BSHC beds are made to order here in Western Australia, allowing for a 5 year guarantee, customisable features and quality production.

8. It doesn’t prevent other bed-related fun.

 Whether your version of fun is to do the daily crossword puzzle, check your Facebook status, or is something that’s a little more intimate, an adjustable bed is available today that fits your lifestyle needs. Some mattress even work on an ordinary bed frame and are controlled by remote for even greater versatility. All BSHC beds come with remote controls and a choice from one of our quality Western Australian Made mattresses. Including Latex and Innerspring. We also have an array of Bed surrounds available to disguise your adjustable bed and make it look like a sleep contemporary ensemble.

What Are the Cons of Adjustable Beds?

1. Adjustable beds are expensive… period.

There are two components that must be considered here. The mattress that is being used must be able to be adjusted and the bed frame must support adjustments. Many people don’t have either and that’s why the cost is so high. All BSHC beds and Mattresses are made in Western Australia with the motors of the beds being imported from Germany. We are proud of the quality and customer feedback in regards to our beds and offer a 5 year warranty on both the bed and the mattress.

2. There are always higher maintenance costs.

 If you own a standard bed frame with a standard mattress, then that’s pretty much the only cost you’re ever going to have. You might pay someone to clean the mattress from time, but that’s generally about it. Adjustable beds have motors, frames that have joints, and several other parts that can break down over time and require replacement. Some of these repairs can be as high as the cost of a brand new mattress in some instances. An adjustable bed should be purchased with an expectation that at least another 30% will be needed for repairs over the lifetime of the mattress. Due to the fact that the mattresses are purpose made for adjustable beds and that there is a 5 year warranty included in our prices. The usual 30% figure is not applicable to BSHC beds.

3. They can be loud. Adjustable beds are not quiet.

 There are some that have some level of “whisper” technology associated with them, but that doesn’t mean that they’re actually quiet beds. Far from it. Think about the noise of an adjustable bed being like the noise from an adjustable seat in a vehicle and you’ll get an idea of how much sound the best models are able to produce. In cheaper models, it may sound like an airplane is flying overhead. BSH bed motors are quality-made germany engineered and manufactured and are amongst the quietest motors available on the market.

4. They are incredibly heavy.

 The average bed that would be considered standard today will typically weigh about 175 pounds. This includes the mattress, the box spring, and the bed frame – including the headboard and a footboard. In comparison, the average adjustable bed will weigh about 625 pounds. There are some models that are lighter than this, but not many. This means that it can get difficult to re-position the bed or move it to a different room in the house. All BSHC beds come on lockable heavy duty casters allowing for easy movement and adjustment and stability when locked into place.  

5. They have a unique size, which means they require unique sheets.

 It is virtually impossible to find sheets that properly fit an adjustable bed from most major retailers. This means the shopping process must be taken online. Most retailers that do offer sheet sets for an adjustable bed sell them at a higher price because they are often a custom size. This typically means there are fewer color options for the sheets as well, limiting the interior decorating possibilities. Whilst some adjustable bed sizes differ from the standard sizes BSHC bed sizes have a minimal difference and you will find that your normal fitted sheets will still fit the bed, although a bit more snugly then before. BSHC also offers a wide range of sheet sets in different colours at reasonable prices.

6. They provide difficulty in movement.

 Adjustable beds tend to keep people rather stationary while they sleep. Although this is typically a benefit for most people, it can be a disadvantage for those who typically toss and turn in their sleep.

 The restriction of movement can even cause less sleep to occur when compared to an innerspring mattress under certain circumstances. New aches and pains can develop from different sleeping styles as well that can be just as bothersome as the ones that were relieved. Whilst this can certainly be a problem, we have found that it is all about experimenting and finding the exactly right position for you. Whilst many of our customers sleep with slight elevations of head and/or legs, many others prefer to only use the adjustments for activities such as reading, watching TV, eating or getting in and out of bed.

7. Adjustable beds can be difficult to clean.

 The main issue that most households typically find with these beds is that it is difficult to clean them and underneath them. The dust bunnies love to collect underneath the bed because clearance levels are typically rather low. Special tools are available to clean, but come at an added cost that not everyone may be willing to pay. All BSHC Beds are made to hospital standard size unless otherwise required allowing for easy access underneath the bed. Another handy tip is to use the beds adjustable features for putting on your sheets. Simply lift up the foot and the head of the bed and easily access all the corners without any heavy lifting, tucking or bending.

8. All of the physical benefits that are promoted may not be experienced.

 It is entirely possible for someone to spend thousands of dollars on an adjustable bed and receive no physical benefits from their change in sleep habits. That is why it is always a good idea to test different sleeping positions before investing into an adjustable bed so that money doesn’t get wasted. BSHC provides the option to Hire beds. This way you can try before you buy and find out exactly what sleeping position provides the highest level of comfort to you.

The pros and cons of an adjustable bed show that there is a great potential for better sleep. There is also the potential that nothing may happen at all. By evaluating each unique advantage and disadvantage, it becomes possible to determine if this is an investment that makes sense for you personally.

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