| Do you or a loved one have a debilitating illness or | | | | same quality of bed (if not better), and they're usually in |
| condition that requires lengthy or even permanent bed | | | | stock and ready to ship. The best option, of course, is |
| rest? Choosing a home care bed can be a daunting | | | | to plan ahead so you aren't force to settle on a bed |
| experience, especially when time is short and money is | | | | that isn't perfect for you. |
| scarce. Here is a detailed look at the various factors | | | | Consider your finances |
| you should consider before making a home care bed | | | | You might be surprised that cost is so far down on |
| purchase. | | | | this list, but for many people, money is no object when |
| Consider your medical condition | | | | it comes to their health and well-being. You'll be |
| The most important in choosing a home care bed is | | | | spending a lot of time in the bed you choose, so it's |
| assessing your medical condition. The right bed can | | | | better to make a sound investment for the future |
| significantly improve your health and happiness, so | | | | rather than focus on short-term savings. |
| make sure you match the bed to your specific | | | | The least expensive home care beds start around |
| healthcare needs. | | | | $500.00 for a manual model with no frills. But for the |
| First, how much do you weigh? Most standard home | | | | average electric home care bed, you can expect to |
| care beds support up to 450 pounds. If you're heavier | | | | pay at least $1,000.00. A decent medical-grade foam |
| than that, you'll need to narrow your search to a | | | | mattress costs about $300.00, while a medical air |
| bariatric bed, which are specifically designed to support | | | | mattress will typically run about $1,000.00. If you |
| obese patients. | | | | choose a refurbished hospital bed instead, you can |
| Wheelchair-bound people and those at risk for falls | | | | expect to pay at least $2,500.00. |
| should consider a low bed to make getting in and out | | | | These prices do not include shipping and installation |
| of the bed as easy as possible. Paraplegics and other | | | | (although some vendors will ship beds for free, and |
| people with very limited mobility may want to invest in | | | | some beds can be assembled at home with basic |
| a professionally refurbished hospital bed rather than a | | | | tools). Since beds are large and heavy, shipping can |
| home care bed. | | | | often add several hundred dollars to your purchase |
| Consider a medical mattress | | | | price. |
| After assessing your medical condition, you may find | | | | Check with your Medicare or Medicaid caseworker to |
| that you don't need a home care bed at all. A | | | | see if they can help defray your costs. Keep in mind |
| medical-grade foam or air mattress on top of a regular | | | | that your claim may take a while to process, and you |
| bed may be suitable for your needs. Many | | | | may be required to rent a bed for a period of time |
| medical-grade mattresses are available in Twin, Full, | | | | before you're approved to purchase one. Many |
| Queen and King sizes. But is your current bed in good | | | | patients prefer to avoid this hassle and buy the bed on |
| shape? If not, you could just end up damaging your | | | | their own. |
| new mattress. | | | | Consider your options |
| Most people buy a home care bed and a mattress at | | | | Sometimes accessories make a huge difference in |
| the same time. If you're bed-bound, you'll want an | | | | your use and enjoyment of a home care bed. People |
| alternating pressure system, or APM, that helps | | | | at risk for falling out of bed should definitely purchase |
| prevent bedsores. Depending on the model you | | | | bed rails, which are available in half-length and full-length |
| choose, you could end up spending as much on a | | | | sizes. Those who have trouble getting in and out of |
| mattress as you do on the bed itself. | | | | bed may need a trapeze bar or a lift system to help |
| Consider your caregiver's needs | | | | them bathe and use the bathroom. |
| If you have a caregiver, you should consider their | | | | Besides medical accessories, you may also want to |
| needs as well as your own. A bed that rises to a | | | | look into purely aesthetic options. These days, many |
| comfortable working height will reduce strain on your | | | | home care beds are designed to look like standard |
| caregiver and help prevent injuries. A control panel | | | | beds, with decorative headboards and footboards in a |
| puts all the bed controls in one convenient spot for | | | | wide variety of colors. You can match the bed to your |
| your caregiver. | | | | current décor or buy a set of coordinating |
| Opting for a home care bed with manual controls will | | | | furniture specially designed for assisted living facilities. |
| save you money, but it will be more difficult for your | | | | Consider the source |
| caregiver to raise and lower the bed. If you can afford | | | | No matter which home care bed you choose, make |
| it, choose a semi-electric or fully electric model instead. | | | | sure you're working with a reputable vendor. The |
| Consider your living space | | | | medical equipment industry is quite competitive these |
| When choosing a home care bed, don't forget to | | | | days, and especially so on the Internet, where all you |
| check the dimensions. Most home care beds ship | | | | need is a website and a manufacturer willing to supply |
| unassembled, so they're easy to set up in the room of | | | | you with products. Find out how long the vendor has |
| your choice. But if you opt for a refurbished hospital | | | | been in business and how much experience they have |
| bed, you'll need to make sure your hallways and doors | | | | selling home care beds. |
| are large enough to move the bed into the room. For | | | | Read the vendor's policies carefully so you're not |
| either bed, you'll also want to ensure that you have | | | | surprised later by the fine print. Make sure you get a |
| enough space to move about the room freely once | | | | quote in writing detailing all of your costs, including |
| the bed is in place. | | | | shipping and installation. Your sales representative |
| Consider your time frame | | | | should be available during normal business hours to |
| If you needed a bed yesterday and haven't started | | | | answer your questions and give you advice. No |
| shopping until today, then getting your bed quickly might | | | | reputable salesperson should hurry you through a |
| be a big issue. Most home care beds take several | | | | decision this important, so beware of high-pressure |
| weeks to build, and they often aren't kept in stock | | | | sales techniques. |
| because of the large amount of storage space | | | | If you ask plenty of questions and consider the |
| required. | | | | answers carefully, you're sure to purchase a home |
| If you need a bed immediately, your best bet is a | | | | care bed that's suitable for your health and happiness. |
| professionally refurbished hospital bed. You'll get the | | | | |