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. 

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? Sweating too much during sleep? Consider swapping out your mattress. 

Some common mattress types include: 

• Foam: Single, dual, or tri-layered foam mattresses are the most common mattress materials. Low-density foam mattresses are softer and cooler to sleep on, while high-density mattresses offer increased pressure relief. 
• Pressure Redistribution: Mattresses designed to prevent bed sores, aches, and pains. 
• Air Alternation Mattress: Powered air mattresses that help relieve and redistribute pressure through inflated individual cells. 

         2.  Ensure Proper Bed Size

This may seem like a no-brainer, but bed dimensions can make all the difference in daily comfort. Traditional beds come in only a few sizes (twin, full, queen, etc), but the right hospital bed can be sized exactly to an individual patient! 

Standard hospital beds are typically 36 inches wide and 80 inches long, but most models can be ordered in a variety of different lengths/widths. 

Want an extra layer of adjustability? Look for beds that come with adjustable length and width features. These beds can instantly expand or shrink in seconds, with no tools required. These adjustable beds can be an excellent solution for busy care facilities that repurpose the same bedframe for multiple patients. 

       3. Add Comfort Accessories

The right bedframe and mattress play an important role in creating a comfortable hospital bed, but don’t forget about add-ons and accessories! If you’re looking for an affordable way to add comfort to an existing hospital bed set, look into the following: 

•  Mattress Toppers: These mattress overlays provide an extra layer of support, enhancing pressure relief and cushioning without the need to purchase a full mattress.

Click here to view Med Mart’s collection of mattress overlays From standard “egg crate” foam pads, to electric alternating pressure overlays, gel toppers, and more. 

• Wedge Pillows: Wedge pillows help elevate the upper body or legs. Patients can enjoy a more comfortable position, improve circulation, and reduce acid reflux. 

Check out our bestseller: Folding Bed Wedge from Drive Medical.

• Blankets & Throws: A new, soft blanket can instantly transform any bed! Invest in a plush new comforter, throw blanket, or even a heated blanket for chilly nights. 
• Bed Side Rails: Bed rails can help add comfort in two primary ways: they keep patients from rolling out of bed, and offer a sturdy grip when entering/exiting. Bed rails come in many different models depending on your needs. Browse ourcollection of top bed rails , or check out our Med Mart guide: 5 Important Things to Know When Selecting Bed Safety Rails for Home Hospital Beds
• Bedside Table: Add-on bedside tables are a simple way to keep essential items, meals, and personal belongings within easy reach. No more straining to reach a remote or cell phone! Bedside tables can attach directly to a hospital bed or include wheels that effortlessly slide under a bedframe. 

A Staff-Favorite: The Composite H-Base Overbed Table

          4. Maintain Hygiene and Cleanliness

It’s important to keep your or a loved one’s sleeping environment as hygienic as possible. Bed cleanliness improves health outcomes, reduces the risk of infection, and upgrades overall quality of life. When looking for beds and mattress covers, keep an eye out for waterproof, anti-microbial, and easy-to-clean materials. 

If your patient or loved one struggles with incontinence, consider a bedwetting mattress or overlay. 

       5.Regulate Temperature

We all know the struggles of getting a good night’s sleep when sweating or freezing cold– temperature matters! If your loved ones use a hospital bed, it may be difficult for them to get out of bed to turn the AC on or grab an extra blanket. 

We recommend setting up temperature-regulating tools within arm's reach. This could be as simple as an AC remote by the bedside table, a remote-controlled fan or space heater, or an electric heating blanket. 

          6. Personalize the Space

A hospital bed may support positive clinical outcomes, but your loved ones shouldn’t feel like they’re in a sterile hospital room! Personalize the bed and surrounding area with photos, blankets, fresh flowers, or other familiar objects. Something as simple as a custom bedspread or pillow can go a long way in making a hospital bed feel more comfortable. 

Looking for the perfect hospital bed, mattress, or add-ons? Take a look at Med Mart’s industry-leading catalog of everything you need for your loved one’s comfort.