You’ve likely seen the commercials. Mattress companies and bed manufacturers have gone to great lengths to advertise adjustable beds, highlighting the many benefits they provide people who long for comfortable and restful sleeps. Adjustable beds are also marketed as great places to sit as they allow for the head areas to be elevated. While there’s nothing particularly wrong with adjustable beds, they’re not necessarily ideal for individuals who suffer from mobility issues.
For individuals who are either bedridden or coping with significant physical disabilities, a home hospital bed is a more adequate option. Home hospital beds are specifically designed to help people who have mobility issues and often need the assistance of caregivers to get in and out of bed.
What are the main differences between home hospital beds and adjustable beds?
The raise/lower function.
Home hospital beds don’t just allow for adjustments of the head and foot areas the way adjustable beds do. They also can be raised towards the ceiling and lowered closer to the floor. The raising and lowering feature helps for caregivers to safely assist their loved ones with getting in and getting out of bed.
The raise function is great for helping to decrease the pressure placed on the backs of those who must lift their loved ones up. As well, by being able to lower the bed, it significantly helps to lower the risk of injury due to falls from the bed.
Construction materials/wheels.
Adjustable beds, just like traditional beds, are designed to lie in flat positions. They can be attached to conventional headboards to mimic the appearance of regular beds. As well, they are available in all of the conventional bed sizes: twin, full, queen and king. This allows for either single usage or sharing between couples.
Home hospital beds, however, are designed for single use as patient safety is the primary concern and objective. Unlike adjustable beds, they have large industrial wheels that enable them to be moved from one area to another, if necessary. As well, the mattresses are generally constructed from six inches of foam covered with thick vinyl. This allows for easy cleaning and disinfecting. Also, home hospital beds usually have permanently installed brown laminate head and footboards.
Twin is the only home hospital bed size available, so sleeping with partners isn’t an option. Again, the safety and comfort of a person with mobility issues is the top priority of such beds. Unlike adjustable beds, they can’t be mistaken for traditional beds.
Hand controls/additional options.
Generally, adjustable beds have options when it comes to hand controls. They include both wired and wireless capabilities. Some models even allow their users to program their favourite sleeping positions ahead of time so that the beds can be adjusted with one touch of a button. With home hospital beds, the controls are either built into the side rails or found on hand controls that are wired to the beds. These beds also allow for such additional options such as IV hooks, safety rails and over bed tables.
As you can tell, adjustable beds aren’t ideal options for individuals with mobility issues. A home hospital bed is the much better choice. If you have any questions about the home hospital beds offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 647-350-4488 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
