Top 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Hospital Bed

Buying a hospital bed is not something you have likely given much thought about until you have to. Whether you are buying a hospital bed for the home of a loved one or yourself, its not a simple decision to make.

The considerations you use when buying something can be very different than if you were renting. In a recent blog, we talked about the Top 5 Things to Know Before Renting a Hospital Bed. Here, we will outline the most important things to factor into your decision to purchase a hospital bed:

Patient Requirements Are Paramount

No two people are the same. There are a lot of personal considerations to think about to ensure you choose right hospital bed with the right set of features. Most beds have a standard set of features, but there are also countless additional customizable options you can add based on the persons care needs. Think about:

Why is the bed needed?

What type of ailment does the person have?

How long will the person use the bed daily?

What is the persons mobility level?

Can they get out of bed themselves or do they need assistance?

Are there specific features the person needs?

Consider Caregiver Support Requirements

On the flip side, its also important to think about the person who will be the primary caregiver, even if its just a family member helping occasionally. Are there specific hospital bed features that the caregiver could use to make it easier for them to provide care?

For example, does a bed that offers a variety of positions make it easier to offer care? Does the bed easily raise up and down to make it easier to help your loved one or yourself transition in and out of bed? Is the caregiver strong enough to use a manually adjusting bed? Is an electric bed a better option?

It is a lot easier for a caregiver to potentially injure themselves if they cannot properly position the bed or if they do not have the right features to use.

Hospital Bed Size And Spacing

The size of the bed can often be overlooked. Hospital beds in general take up more space than most traditional beds. You need to choose a bed that fits the patient comfortably. Do you need a longer or wider than normal bed? You also need to factor in the size of the bedroom. How much space do you have to work with? Where is best to position the bed? Will you need to remove any furniture to get the bed in the best position? Also consider other medical equipment that may also need to be in the room.

Quality Matters

While cost is always an important factor when making any type of significant purchase, buying a hospital bed is one area where you do not want to cut corners on quality. The quality of bed you choose can have a direct impact on the patient’s level of comfort. Considering how much use the bed will get and how much it will be used daily, its worth choosing a higher quality option. Research manufacturers and have a list of features you need and don’t need to ensure you are getting a high-quality bed and the best value.

Buy A Good Mattress

If you are in the market for a wooden hospital bed, you will likely be looking for a mattress to go with it. Much like a mattress for a standard bed, you have a lot of options to choose from. Choose a mattress that is best suited for the person in need. The mattress has one of the biggest impacts on the patient’s overall health and comfort level. The more time they spend in bed daily, the more important it is to invest more into a higher quality mattress.

If possible, buy your mattress and bed from the same supplier/manufacturer to ensure they work well together.

Consider all these factors when comparing your home hospital bed options. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or inquiries about a specific bed type. We offer a wide selection of hospital bed styles as well as accessories such as Electric & Manual Wheelchairs.