Choosing Between Hospital and Adjustable Beds: What You Need to Know

Looking for the perfect at-home care bed for your loved one? 


There are plenty of options on the market: from hospital beds, to MedSurge beds, long term care beds,  adjustable beds, and more.


Where do you start? How do you know what bed type you need?

Here, we’ll go over the difference between two main types of at-home care beds: 

  • Hospital Beds
  • Adjustable Beds

With this guide, you can make an informed decision for your loved one. The right bed improves mobility, creates positive health outcomes, and can make everyday life easier than ever. 

 

Hospital Beds

As you might guess from the name, hospital beds were originally designed for inpatient and outpatient care. MedSurge beds, for example, are surgical beds that are only used inside hospitals (not generally for home use). 


Today, there are plenty of “at-home hospital beds” on the market.  These beds have more features than a typical home care bed, while still being relatively affordable.

 

Common features of hospital beds: 

Hi-Low
Raise or lower the platform of the bed with the press of a button. This makes it easy to get in and out of bed without injury and helps caregivers deliver care without back strain.

Mattress Selection
One benefit of a home hospital bed is that there are many different types of mattresses to choose from. These mattresses are specifically designed to help manage health conditions and can help with pressure redistribution, bed sores, prevent infection, and more To learn more about mattress options, read our blog here.

 

 

Adjustable Positioning
At-home hospital beds make it easy to adjust your foot, head, and height positions. This lets loved ones find their most comfortable positions for sleeping, sitting, eating, and more– often with no caregiver help required! 

Safety Features
As we age, the risk of falling out of bed increases. Home hospital beds keep your loved ones safe with embedded safety features like: 

  • Bed exit alarms
  • Side rails for added stability

Add-ons

When you purchase a home hospital bed, you can easily customize it to your exact needs through compatible add-ons. 

Need some overhead support when getting out of bed? Add on a trapeze bar.

Can’t reach your bedside table? Purchase an overbed table.

Want to install a different kind of bed rail? Choose from a large selection of bed rails to fit your needs.

At-home hospital beds also come with three different power types to choose from:

  • Electric
  • Semi-Electric
  • Manual

Manual beds require a caregiver to physically adjust the bed’s positioning, while semi-electric and electric beds are powered with internal motors. These electric beds can change positions with the press of a button. 

At-home hospital beds are specially designed for loved ones who need medical care at home. These beds come with plenty of features, adjustability, and customization options to make everyday life easier for everyone. 

 

However, keep in mind that hospital beds look like they are designed for a clinical setting. They have exposed metal frames and visible mechanical components. If you’re looking for an option to “blend in” with your home interior design, you may want to consider adjustable beds. 

 

Adjustable Beds

Want to blend comfort and style, without sacrificing your home aesthetic? Adjustable beds can offer the “best of both worlds”.

For individuals who: 

  • Need some extra comfort in bed, but don’t require extensive medical care
  • Want a bed that blends in with their home
  • Want to share a bed with a significant other

An adjustable bed may be the perfect solution! These beds look like traditional beds at first glance, but are packed with comfort and mobility features. 

 

Common features of adjustable beds:

 

Adjustable Positioning
Just like hospital beds, adjustable beds can provide customized sleeping positions. Elevate your legs, raise yourself up to a sitting position, and more with a handheld remote. Many adjustable beds also have Hi-Low functionality.

 

Massage
Dream of a life where you can get a massage every day? Now you can! Many adjustable beds have a built-in massage feature to melt away aches and pains at the end of a long day. 

 

Split Adjustment
Sharing the bed with a significant other? Many adjustable beds offer split adjustment. This means that you can adjust each side of the bed independently, without impacting the other person. 

 

Elegant Style
Adjustable beds look like high-end, luxury beds. Many have upholstered frames, stylish headboards, and a variety of fabric/finish options. These beds will completely blend in with your home furniture, offering comfort without looking clinical. 

 

Adjustable beds are luxurious, stylish, and comfortable. However, they may not be the best fit for someone who needs extensive medical support. 

 

 

Questions to Consider

Here are some questions to consider when deciding between a home hospital bed or an adjustable bed: 

  • How much medical support do I need? 
  • Are bed rails important to me?
  • Do I want it to blend in with my home decor? 
  • Will I be sharing the bed with another person?
  • Is a massage feature important to me?
  • Do I need a specialized mattress?

You can also reference the table below: 

 

No matter which bed type you choose, you can browse our full catalog of the top home beds on the market . Need some extra help to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget? Our product specialists are always available to lend a helping hand.