Blogs

When an elderly person or someone with declining mobility becomes bed-bound or has perhaps begun to struggle with getting in and out of bed and finding a comfortable sleeping position, it might be time to invest in a hospital bed for them to use at home.  When buying a medical bed for home use, it’s important to consider the features and benefits that you need, as well as the different medical bed accessories available. It’s also important to take the necessary safety precautions to ensure that the user is safe and secure. With the right hospital bed for home, you can make life easier for both the patient and their carers. What Types of Hospital Beds are Available? While there are many different types of hospital beds designed for use at home, they will all vary in terms of the specific features they have. The two most popular categories of hospital bed are: Manual - a basic bed with manual adjustment features. Usually these will have a ratchet head and foot section on the mattress area as well as a foot pump style height adjustment. Manual hospital beds are the most affordable option and are ideal for an elderly person who still has a relative amount of mobility and independence.  Electric - the more expensive option, electric hospital beds have significantly more features and are generally easier to use. They allow the user (elderly person or carer) to adjust the mattress position and height of the bed using a button control and, because they are run on an electric motor, they require little mobility or strength to operate.  Features To Consider Regardless of whether you go for a manual or electric hospital bed for the home, you’ll want to make sure that the bed has all of the features you’ll need to support the person who will be sleeping in and using it. You will also want to consider how the bed’s features affect the ability of any carers to do their support work with the user.  Height adjustment - does the bed have a feature to raise and lower the whole height of the mattress area? A full height adjustment feature will make it much easier for carers or the user to transfer from bed to chair and vice versa.   The option to lower the bed might allow the user to step in and out of bed independently. While, the option to raise the bed higher could offer better use of a hoist or bed transfer aid, or simply to allow for a view out of the window, for example, if someone is going to bed bound for some time.  Mattress positions - most beds will have a mattress area made up of 4 separate parts that can be raised, lowered and adjusted to provide the optimal lying position for the user. Consider whether the back can be raised while perhaps allowing the feet and ankles to also be raised for added comfort and circulation.  Bed Rails - for extra safety and security (such as preventing falls or offering extra stability during movement) it’s essential to look for a bed that allows for the addition of grab handles and bed rails along the side.  Type of Mattress - because the mattress base is mobile, you will need to use a flexible but supportive mattress that will work in any of the positions the bed can create . Elect for a flexible foam mattress that provides good comfort as well as pressure redistribution across the body.  For those who are largely bed bound (even if at least temporarily) you will want to consider how to prevent bed sores or bed ulcers with a pressure relieving mattress which used air pressure to gently move and keep blood flow circulating even in sedentary users.  When considering a transition to a hospital style bed for the home you might also consider accessories to improve the users comfort, such as a bed wedge for extra support sitting up, as well as a good supply of comfortable bed pads and protective bed sheets.    For more help contact us here at Mediworld. We have over 50 years of experience supplying medical and homecare items to support the elderly with living independently for longer.

Regardless of your age or health condition, one of the best things you can do is make sure your home is well equipped in case of a medical emergency. Whether you live alone, have children, are elderly, or are recovering from injury or an operation, having the right, basic medical kit at home can literally save your life.  Here are the 5 top items of medical equipment you should always have to hand at home.  First Aid Kit It should go without saying, but having a well stocked first aid kit is an absolute essential in any home (or place of work).  More often than not, minor injuries that happen at home (such as cuts, scrapes, burns and insect bites) can be dealt with safely and effectively using items from any basic first aid kit.  A well stocked home first aid kit should contain bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, tweezers, scissors and pain relief medicine such as aspirin or paracetamol.  Thermometer Although it might seem like a simple piece of equipment, a medical thermometer can often be the first health tool that is used to determine the severity of a fever or hyperthermia. Severe temperature rises can be dangerous and even fatal if not treated quickly.  There are a variety of different types of thermometers - digital, analogue, in-ear thermometers, skin/forehead etc. Each will have its own specific uses so it’s best to do your research and decide what kind of thermometer will work best for you and your household. For example, if you have young children you might want to invest in a digital, in-ear thermometer which many parents find easier to use on young babies and infants. Pulse Oximeter The use of pulse oximeters at home became common during the covid-19 pandemic and they have since become home medical kit essentials. A pulse oximeter is a small device that measure the levels of oxygenation in the blood and heart rate, and can be vital in detecting whether someone’s health is rapidly declining (particularly with respiratory and fever conditions) and whether immediate medical help should be sought.  Blood Pressure Kit Hypotensions and Hypertension are common blood pressure conditions that can affect almost every adult at some point of their life. High blood pressure can cause serious heart-related diseases like heart attacks and strokes. Early detection of changes in blood pressure with an at-home blood pressure monitor is vital in preventing serious complications that can arise, especially for people with a history of heart and stroke conditions in their families.  Blood Glucose Monitor People with diabetes regularly use glucometers or blood glucose monitors at home. However, it can also be useful for non-diabetics or pre-diabetics at risk of developing diabetes to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels. A blood glucose monitor or glucometer is an easy to use device that measures your blood sugar level with a tiny finger prick and a drop of blood.  Blood glucose levels in the normal range are essential for the body’s normal functioning. High blood sugar in the long term can seriously affect kidneys, vision, and heart function, which is why many GPs recommend even non-diabetics should keep an eye on their glucose levels for signs of potentially serious changes.  Remember to regularly check and maintain your healthcare equipment and to replace any used or out of date items in your first aid kit etc regularly. Need more help? Contact us at Mediworld.