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.
Want to take you or your loved one’s at-home hospital bed to the next level of comfort? Our top tips for alleviating pressure, customizing your hospital bed, temperature regulation, and more.
6 Ways to Make Your At-Home Hospital Bed More Comfortable
Do you have a loved one who uses an at-home hospital bed? Do they spend a significant portion of their time in bed?
At-home hospital beds can transform daily care for both caregivers and loved ones. For those who spend much of their day in bed, comfort plays a huge role in quality of life and happiness.
Here, we’re going over the top ways to make any at-home hospital bed more comfortable.
1.Choose the Right Mattress
A quality mattress is the foundation of a restful night’s sleep. Just like traditional beds, hospital mattresses come in a wide range of options to fit individual needs.
Looking for some extra support while you sleep? Experiencing aching joints or pressure sores?
Are you looking on how to make sure your hospital bed lasts so you don’t have to pay out $$$ for a new one?
Stop paying out by not looking after your bed
You will come across X problems by not maintaining your bed
I have you covered with everything you need to maintain your hospital bed.
For those working in busy facilities, it can be easy to neglect hospital bed maintenance. In the flurry of providing everyday care to patients, it’s difficult to find the time to regularly inspect all equipment and perform needed upkeep.
Here’s our comprehensive guide for caring for, cleaning, and maintaining a hospital bed– whether at home or in a care facility. From weekly cleanings to a bi-annual equipment inspection, we’ll help you ensure that your beds stay in safe, working condition for all patients.
General Cleaning
Frequency: Once a Week
Hospital beds are typically used by high-risk individuals who are prone to illness and infection. It’s important to keep their environment as clean as possible,
Are you looking to make your home more safe and comfortable for an aging loved one? Or are you helping “remodel” their home to be more accessible?
There are plenty of steps that you can take in order to make a living space safer for elderly individuals. These recommendations don’t require expensive construction costs (some are free!), and can make all the difference in everyday life for you or a loved one.
Read on for our top tips on creating a home perfect for “aging in place”.
1. Clear Clutter and Obstructions
This is one of the most important steps to keeping your home accessible. Best of all, it’s completely free of cost! Clean up your home to reduce the risk of falls and make it easier to navigate. Remove piles of clothing on the floor, re-organize furniture to create clear walkways, and sort cluttered cables.
Not only will this reduce tripping risk, but a clean home provides a sense of mental calmness. This can decrease anxiety and make it easier for a loved one to independently
Do you want to make sure that an elderly loved one is safe living at home? Make sure you consider fall prevention.
Unexpected falls are one of the most dangerous risk factors for aging adults. Falls become more common as we age because we lose muscle mass and struggle to keep our balance. A simple fall out of bed can lead to broken bones, head trauma, and other scary consequences.
Here’s the good news: there are modern hospital beds and tools specifically designed to prevent falls out of bed. With the right hospital bed at home, you can have peace of mind knowing that you don’t need to worry about falls in the night.
In this blog, we’ll go over our top tips for preventing falls, top hospital beds, and other features to look out for to keep elderly loved ones safe.
Top Tips for Preventing Falls from Bed
1.Use a Hi-Low Bed
Safely getting in and out of bed isn’t always easy! A hi-low hospital bed is a type of bed that can easily be adjusted to different heights using a built-in
Navigating the world of wheelchair ramps can feel daunting at first– what size do you need your ramp to be? What material? How do you know if your ramp meets ADA guidelines?
If you’re unsure of where to start, we highly recommend considering modular wheelchair ramps. These ramps can be highly flexible to your individual, changing needs and offer a balance of cost, durability, and ease of use. They are a great option for both business and residential use.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to buy a modular wheelchair ramp.
Modular Wheelchair Ramp Material
Most modular wheelchair ramps are made from lightweight aluminum. Aluminum ramps are easy to move and install, durable, and rust and weather resistant. They require minimal maintenance and can last for decades, making them an excellent all-around choice.
Benefits of Modular Wheelchair Ramps
Customizable to fit your space: These ramps can adapt to fit your exact space. They can be customized
Do you rent an apartment, condo, or home and are in need of a wheelchair ramp? Wheelchair ramps can dramatically increase everyday accessibility for mobility device users.
If you would like to install a wheelchair ramp as a renter, you may have a handful of questions, such as:
How do I ask my landlord to approve a wheelchair ramp installation?
Who pays for a new wheelchair ramp?
What wheelchair ramps are best for renters?
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about adding a wheelchair ramp to your rented home, so that you can create more accessible, safe pathways for you or loved ones.
The Fair Housing Act
Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” for tenants with disabilities, so that they ensure all tenants have equal access to housing. This definition of “reasonable” accommodations can vary depending on the situation.
In some cases, reasonable modifications can include allowing the installation of a wheelchair
For many power wheelchair users, this mobility device can be the single most important tool to lead an independent, active, and fulfilling life. However, just like any other device or car, a power wheelchair can occasionally break down, require maintenance, or need to be replaced altogether.
The best time to start planning to purchase a new power wheelchair is before you need one. In this guide, we'll go over the average lifespan of an electric wheelchair, as well as signs to look out for when your mobility device may be reaching the end of its life. Planning ahead gives you the time to research and make an informed decision, rather than rushing into a quick purchase because of a sudden emergency.
How Long Do Power Wheelchairs Last?
The average lifespan of a power wheelchair is around five years. However, this can vary depending on factors like the frequency of use, terrain it’s used on, and how well you take care of it. This lifespan estimate is for the general frame of the chair: other
As we grow older or experience illness, accessibility can play a critical role in visiting new destinations.
If you regularly use a manual or powered wheelchair, power scooter, or rollator, you're all too familiar with the importance of accessibility. There's nothing worse than being excited to visit a bucket list destination or new restaurant, only to find uneven ground that makes it inaccessible to wheelchair users.
Don't let accessibility limitations negatively affect your travel experience. For those unexpected travel situations, you need portable ramps. In this guide, we'll go over how these access ramps can transform your independence while on-the-go.
What is a Portable Wheelchair Ramp?
A portable wheelchair ramp is what it sounds like: a wheelchair ramp designed to fold or disassemble with ease. These ramps are lightweight, offer easy installation, and provide a proactive and flexible solution for overcoming accessibility challenges when traveling.