Home Hospital Beds

It may come time at some point in your life or in the life of a loved one when home hospital beds are necessary. For those recovering from lengthy illnesses or injuries, hospital beds can be very beneficial. They allow much easier caring for patients as they can be adjusted to various heights and positions, making them much more comfortable than standard beds. They can also be much safer than standard beds as they have side rails that can prevent patients from falling out of bed. Before you purchase a hospital bed however, there are a few guidelines that you should keep in mind.

Manual or Electric Beds

Hospital beds come in manual, semi-electric or electric models. Determining which one is best for your needs is important before you purchase. Manual beds can be adjusted just like electric beds but the adjustments are done through a manual crank. The height as well as the various head, knee and leg positions are all adjusted by the crank. Electric beds can be adjusted by simply pushing the appropriate button on the remote that is typically attached to the side of the bed. Semi-electric hospital beds allow you to adjust the head, knee and leg areas with remote control but the height of the bed must be adjusted manually. Determining which of the three types is best for your needs will help you considerably when it comes time to purchase home hospital beds.

Mattress Types

There are different types of mattresses for home hospital beds as well and you should determine which type is best for your needs or the needs of your loved one prior to purchasing the bed. Some hospital beds come standard with a mattress and side rails and some do not. Be sure that you check to see if you need to purchase a mattress and side rails separately or if they are included in the purchase of the bed. Side rails are crucial for protecting patients from inadvertently falling out of the bed and mattresses can be purchased to provide much more comfort than those that you see in traditional hospital settings. Foam and air mattresses are the most popular choices although you can also find many mattresses that are filled with gel. Take the time to read about the various benefits and disadvantages of each mattress type before you purchase.

Average Cost of Home Hospital Beds

The average cost of home hospital beds will depend on the specific type of bed that you choose as well as the various features such as side rails and whether or not you need to purchase rails and a mattress. Typically you can find hospital beds that operate manually for less than $500 while those that operate by electricity can run as high as $2,000 or more. Take your time and compare rates from different home health supply companies to choose the lowest cost and check with your insurance company about whether or not they may help to offset the cost of your hospital bed.