When you’re recovering from an injury, caring for an unwell loved one, or simply getting older, a standard bed can make life a bit harder. Getting up, repositioning yourself comfortably, and sitting up is easy enough when you’re fit and well… but when you’re not feeling your best, it can be quite a challenge.
In these cases, having a hospital bed can be a great help not only for whoever is unwell, but for those caring for them too. Not only can they be far more convenient, but they offer important safety features that reduce the risk of falling and developing pressure sores.
If you’re considering hospital bed rental in your home, we’ve put together some important factors to consider when making your decision.
Easier positioning
Lying flat on your back in bed all day is not good for the body or the mind! On a regular bed, you may try and prop your patient up with 10 pillows, but hospital beds feature electric mechanisms that can raise the head and feet to precisely the right spot, all with the press of a button.
Not only does this give the patient more freedom to choose how they sit, but it reduces the risk of their carer suffering a strain injury from trying to help them move.
Reduced fall risk
If your patient is unsteady on their feet due to age, medication, or impairment, getting out of bed becomes a serious health risk. Over 100,000 people are hospitalised in Australia every year due to falls, with falls out of bed accounting for around 15%1 of this number.
Low lying beds are ideal for patients who may be prone to fall out of bed. They too can be raised or lowered electronically to make caregiving easier.
Improved circulation
Spending a lot of time sitting or lying in the same position greatly hinders the body’s circulation, reducing important blood flow to the skin. Bedsores are a real danger for bedridden patients’ wellbeing, and can begin to develop in as little as 2 hours.
A hospital bed with a fitted air mattress helps to keep circulation at a healthy rate by alternating air between special pockets embedded within the fabric. The alternating therapy redistributes pressure and stimulates blood flow to nourish the skin.
Relocation
A patient’s mental health can have a direct effect on their physical wellbeing. Nobody likes being stuck in bed all day, or being shut in a room away from the household and unable to participate in social activity.
Hospital beds are designed to be moved around with ease, making it possible to move patients outside to the garden or to a more central part of the house where they can interact with the family.
Safer transferring
Hospital beds allow the caregiver to raise or lower the bed to a height that makes transferring the patient to a wheelchair or walker easier and safer than relying on their own body strength to get the job done.
Not only does this make the caregiver less likely to suffer repetitive strain injuries - and require caregiving themself - but it makes getting in and out of bed easier for patients who may be in pain.
Should I rent or buy?
Purchasing a hospital bed outright can be an expensive investment. If you’re expecting your patient’s needs to be short-term, hospital bed rental can be a more cost-effective and convenient option.
At Keystone Healthcare, we offer a bed pick up and drop off service, as well as regular cleaning and maintenance to keep your bed in optimal condition.
We’ve been providing healthcare safety equipment to hospitals, aged care centres, and private homes in all capital cities and regional centres around Australia and New Zealand for nearly a decade.
If you’d like some help when making your decision, give us a call on 1300 547 877. Our team all have experience working in healthcare settings and can offer the right advice for your situation.