Electric hospital beds for home care are more than just the standard beds we know. It is a bed designed to allow a person to recover, heal, rest, and receive care in the home.
The range of electric hospital beds for home care available on the market nowadays is vast. There are many models, brands, sizes, and even different features to choose from. Keep in mind that the chosen bed should cater to the user’s needs.
Note: speaking with a medical professional before investing in a hospital bed for home care is highly recommended.
Here are some key points to take into account when choosing the right electric hospital bed:
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STYLE:
Floorline / Floor Level Beds > Highly recommended for falls prevention.
- Patients who are at risk of falling are not protected if the bed does not descend to floor height.
- Bed rails are also recommended accessories for falls prevention, but floor level beds give increased safety in falls prevention.
Portable
- Are you a patient that transfers location often? Easily dismantled and easier to install beds may be for you.
Bariatric
- Larger sleep surface
- Accommodates higher safe working loads
Companion Bed
- ICare option – Companion Bed is completely stationary, with no moving parts at all and allows a partner or parent to sleep alongside any Icare adjustable bed.
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SAFE WORK LOAD:
It is important to find and electric bed that can hold the user’s weight.
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BED SIZE:
Which size will be required?
- Long Single
- Kind Single
- Double
- Queen
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RAILS:
Full Length
Will the person require rails protectors?
- Consider factors such as fall risks or patients who may hurt themselves by hitting or getting arms, legs, head, etc., stuck in the rails.
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HEADBOARDS:
- Headboard is available for some bed models with different styles
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MATTRESS:
- Types: Static, Dynamic and Alternating Air (Does it require an underlay mattress?)
- Risk of pressure sores: Low Risk, Low to Medium Risk, Medium Risk, Medium to High Risk, High Risk to Very High Risk, Very High Risk
- Safe Work Load
- Sizing: Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen
- Overlay: Sheepskin, Memory Foam Topper, Eggshell Topper, Natural Latex Topper, Air overlay, Gel Overlay
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INCONTINENCE:
- Waterproof and absorbent protection
- Mattress Protector
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HOW MOBILE IS THE USER?
- Wonder Sheets (Highly recommended for manual handling)
- Gooseneck/ Self Help Pole (It can be used to assist a person to sit up, lay down and re-position themselves in bed.)
- Bed stick (Designed to enable the user to pull themselves upright when in bed)
- Turn yourself sheet / Turn yourself pad (Design to help people with limited strength when turning in bed.)
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ANY OTHER ACCESSORY REQUIRED?
- Sleep positioning system (Designed to provide different levels of support and prevent the child or adult from getting stuck in harmful positions during the night.)
- IV Pole
- Bolster
- Bed Cradle (Designed to fit under the mattress to form a support to keep bedclothes clear of the feet and legs.)
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ANY OTHER FEATURES REQUIRED?
Gap Protection – users prone to seizures or nocturnal movements, gap protection is an important safety concern.
