You are constantly surrounded by bed advertisements on TV, in magazines, and online. With so many options available to us, it can be difficult to choose the bed that is best for your home care needs. That is why there’s a list of things you should consider before making your bed purchase. Hopefully, this article will make it easier for you to find the bed that meets all of your home care needs!
Know the size of the bed you need
Size is really important when choosing a bed for home care. You need to consider the size of bed that will fit your loved one’s needs and make it easy for them to get in and out of bed, as well as ensure they’re safe while sleeping at night. The right bed is a matter of comfort but also safety, especially if you are caring for someone who has mobility issues or cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
It’s best to measure your bed prior to shopping. If you haven’t bought a bed before, it can be hard to know what size bed frame and mattress are needed for the bedding that will fit on top. The mattress is usually 60 inches wide or wider but can come in different lengths depending on the height of the person using the bed.
The size will determine the bed frame size. A bed with a single mattress is usually 36 inches wide and 72 inches long, while shorter beds measuring 39 to 45 inches are good for young adults or children. For example, Queen-sized bed frames measure 60 by 80 inches, which can accommodate two in comfort but have room enough that one person can spread out on the bed without disturbing their partner sleeping next to them.
Here’s a list of sizes:
- Standard twin 39×75 inches
- Full-size bed measures 54×75 inches
- Queen bed size 60×80 inches
- King bed size 76×80 inches
- California king bed 71×83 inches.
Consider the height and weight of the person that will be using it
The patient’s height and weight should be taken into consideration when choosing a bed. If the bed is too high, it may hurt their back, or they won’t even be able to get out of bed. It’s important that the bed have removable legs so that if necessary, they can easily reach them to lower and raise the height. The patient must also have enough room in order for them to manoeuvre around without feeling claustrophobic.
Once you’ve measured the person’s height and weight, you can purchase bed rails that will be a good fit. Some bed rails have two different settings for the bed’s side rail height.
Know if it can go up or down as well as side to side
When looking for a bed for home care, you want to make sure that it can move up and down as well as side to side. For example, if a caregiver has to help lift the patient in bed or position them better throughout their day they may need this feature. If someone needs bedside assistance getting into bed such as from a chair then again moving ability would be important.
It’s important to embrace this modern feature because it can be a lot of help. Having a hospital bed that can do these things can make bedside care a lot easier and safer. There are many bed rails out there that can move up and down or side to side, but you have to know what bed is best for home care before making a purchase because some may not be able to do this function at all.
For example, if someone in need of assistance cannot lift themselves into bed then they will want one with a lifting system as well as mobility features, so the caregiver isn’t struggling too much. You don’t want the person’s health to be put in jeopardy trying to get them from point A into bed B.
Understand what kind of mattress you want
Finding the perfect mattress for your bed at home is something that can take some time. It’s important to make sure you’re able to find a mattress with the right firmness level for those who will be using it, as well as making sure that it’ll work best in the bed frame and setup of choice.
If possible, encourage patients undergoing physical therapy treatments or nursing care after an injury or illness to try out different mattresses before deciding on one they like. This should help them figure out what kind of bed would be most comfortable during their treatment sessions and recovery process. Try asking if there are any beds nearby where they might test drive several options, so they know which ones feel good – especially when lying down in various positions beyond just sleeping on their back.
Figure out any special features you might want for your home care bed
Special features that are important to consider when choosing a bed for home care include:
- Whether the bed has an adjustable base that will make it easier for you or your loved one to sit up in bed and get out of bed
- If there are any special remotes that go with the bed, like ones specifically made for electric beds so that they are easy to adjust
- How wide the bed opens. Some people need wider stretchers than others because their legs might be paralysed and stuck together
- Whether or not you need bed rails to help with getting in and out of bed
- The height of the bed. Some people might have a hard time getting on the bed due to severe arthritis, making it so that they cannot use their legs well enough.
You need a bed that is easy to get in and out of
One of the most important factors you will want to consider when choosing a bed for home care is how easy it would be for the person in need of that bed to get in and out. If they have trouble getting up on their own or are using a walker, wheelchair, or something similar, then you don’t want them struggling every morning just to climb into bed. The same goes if they plan on taking naps during the day while at home. Being able to easily get back out again should also be taken into consideration.
You need a bed that is easy to get in and out of
There, now you know what to consider when choosing a bed for home care. Make sure the size is proportional to the patient and if it has all the features required for the person that will spend their time in it. Make sure they have an easy time getting in and out and also think hard before getting the mattress.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
