That Scary Night Changed How We Think About Beds Forever
On that fateful evening, we first assumed that something fell off of the kitchen counter and startled us. However, shortly thereafter, i heard my dad yelling for assistance. In a matter of seconds, we knew he had fallen. This single incident caused our family to think differently about their ability to sleep well, their safety at home, and what types of supportive home health care equipment they needed.
Prior to my dad’s surgical procedure and subsequent recovery period, we used additional pillows, folded blankets, etc., to help him get into position (sitting and lying) and assist him as he got in/out of bed. While these methods allowed us to manage his needs at the time, we have come to realize how unsafe and tiring those strategies truly were.
That was the defining moment of our journey. The Reality of Recovery at Home is very different once an individual experiences a decrease in mobility. Simple tasks such as getting in and/or out of bed, sitting up straight, or simply finding a comfortable sleeping position may be challenging for individuals who are experiencing limitations due to age, post-surgical complications, or decreased mobility.
Although my dad fortunately did not suffer a serious injury when he fell from bed the following morning, we realized how precarious our circumstances had become. As a result, we began doing research to find safe solutions for managing his needs while at home.
How important is it to choose the correct bed?
In most cases, when a loved One has experienced a medical condition or injury requiring hospitalization or other medical treatment, Families tend to focus primarily on medication management, physician appointments, physical therapy sessions, etc. However, the bed itself is often forgotten or overlooked.
To our surprise, what we discovered was:
- poorly aligned sleeping positions can exacerbate pain and swelling
- low bed height increases the potential for falls
- caregiver fatigue will be greater using non-adjustable support
- quality rest improves the speed of recovery
- getting in & out of bed can create some of the largest obstacles on a daily basis
At that point, we decided to Buy a hospital bed online rather than continuing with makeshift arrangements.
Immediate impact
The first night with the hospital bed rental Burlington Ontario provided an instant change. The adjustable head/foot positions significantly minimized discomfort almost immediately. He no longer required someone to pull him forward to sit-up. Transferring in/out of bed became safer and easier.
However, the most significant difference occurred emotionally.
Everyone finally received quality rest. For the first time in weeks, i stopped waking up every hour wondering if he would fall again. Additionally, he regained some independence which greatly enhanced his self-confidence.
Finding alternative solutions – mobility assistance
While we focused primarily on finding a suitable solution for addressing my father’s need for a hospital bed, around the same time we came to understand that the hospital bed wasn’t the only challenge facing him. Getting in/out of the living room recliner posed a similar obstacle each day.
Therefore, we researched lift chair rentals near me to determine if there were short-term alternatives prior to investing in a purchase.
While we rented a lift chair to provide him with temporary relief from his knee/back strain associated with sitting/standing; however, we soon found that it made many aspects of his daily routine (i.e. Watching TV /reading) significantly more enjoyable.
Many times Families do not recognize the cumulative effect of numerous smaller challenges faced by patients and Caregivers on a daily basis until they acquire appropriate devices to eliminate said challenges.
Rental options vs. Purchase options: what did we learn?
During this process, One item we appreciated was having choices. Rentals offer cost-effective options for shorter recovery periods; rentals also give Families an opportunity to try products before committing to purchases long term.
With regard to purchasing a hospital bed online, it allows you to compare:
- adjustable positioning features
- bed rail options
- mattress compatibility
- weight capacity
- delivery/setup services
- long-term pricing vs. Rental costs
- Shopping online allows time to research without feeling rushed
Supportive equipment can make caregiving much easier
When caring for a loved One, People usually focus solely on the patient. However, Caregivers are also impacted similarly.
Before improving our set-up:
We experienced difficulties lifting/re-positioning
Sleep deprivation occurred constantly
Worrying about falling grew each day
Fatigue accumulated rapidly
Afterwards:
Transfers became safer
We worry less during the night
Everyone rested better
daily routines became manageable once more
In addition to providing comfort to patients, the right equipment can also alter the overall environment inside homes.
Creating a home that felt safe again
Initially, we were concerned that by introducing medical equipment into our home it would transform into a hospital room.
However, we found that functionality and comfort can coexist.
Through incorporating warm lighting, soft bedding, family photographs and common household items into the area, it remained inviting and personalized. Medical equipment transitioned into part of the normal flow of our daily lives much sooner than we anticipated.
Ultimately, peace-of-mind was worth more than aesthetics.