Sleep is critical in maintaining energy balance, cognitive function, and overall health. For those using a hospital bed at home due to illness, disability, or pain, finding the right bed is essential for achieving restorative sleep. This guide explores the key differences between hospital beds, offers honest customer feedback, answers frequently asked questions, and highlights important features to consider before purchasing.
For more information, please visit Pukang.
Sleep is essential for your overall well-being, so your sleep space should be tailored to help you get the best rest possible! While you sleep, your brain recovers from the stresses of the day, and the quality and quantity of sleep directly impact your performance and decision-making. A good night's sleep leaves you feeling more alert, positive, and better equipped to ward off illness and tackle medical challenges. It also helps you get along with others and improves your overall physical and mental health.
If a person spends more than 15 hours daily in bed or requires long-term care, a full-electric home hospital bed offers the best comfort and durability while reducing physical strain on caregivers. However, these beds are also the most expensive. Manual and semi-electric beds are more affordable and may be suitable for short-term use, but they require more effort from caregivers and offer less independence for the patient.
Patient mobility plays a crucial role in selecting the right home hospital bed. A highly adjustable electric or semi-electric bed is ideal for those who are unsteady or at risk of falling. It&#;s also a great choice for individuals who cannot reposition themselves or safely get in and out of bed without height adjustments. However, if a patient can get in and out of bed independently and stand steadily a manually adjusted bed may be a more cost-effective option.
Caregiver needs should be considered to ensure the proper level of care can be provided. For a patient requiring many position changes, a manual bed wouldn&#;t be the best choice. An electric bed will take the most strain off a caregiver. A caregiver&#;s strength and stamina should be considered when deciding which home hospital bed is best.
A bariatric bed is wider than a standard bed, providing greater comfort for heavier users. Pediatric patients will be safer and more comfortable in a child-sized bed. Beds can also be customized for taller patients. No matter the size needed, the right bed can be found!
For patients who spend most of their time in bed, especially if mobility challenges prevent them from regularly self-repositioning, a hospital bed&#;s positioning features can significantly impact comfort and quality of sleep. The number of sections, position options, and height adjustability contribute to the user experience. Here are the most popular positioning options:
Optional assembly services simplify setting up a hospital bed at home, removing the guesswork and effort. During a stressful time, having professionals correctly assemble the bed can reduce anxiety and help create a calmer, more comfortable environment.
Rehabmart has a large selection of hospital beds and other products that offer assembly services.
A hospital bed at home can be a valuable tool for promoting rest and healing. Whether recovering from an injury, adjusting to mobility limitations, or transitioning from an in-patient stay, a home hospital bed can enhance health, independence, and overall quality of life.
The adjustable knee and head sections improve incontinence support, and easy sanitization helps maintain a healthy environment. Repositioning options reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and provide comfortable postural support. Safety features like side rails, bolstered mattresses, and height adjustability further minimize the risk of falling out of bed.
This answer is different for everyone, but there are options to fit any needs. Beds that have multiple positions to correctly and comfortably support the body, mattresses that range in firmness, and available therapeutic features all impact the user's comfort.
A full-electric hospital bed electrically adjusts the height, head, and foot positions with the press of a button. Benefits include fostering patient independence and safety features to ensure maximum user comfort and safety while minimizing the physical strain on a caregiver.
Yes, we have a wide selection of hospital and home care beds!
A semi-electric bed combines manual and electric adjustments. The head and foot sections are typically adjusted electrically, while a hand crank manually adjusts the bed&#;s height. This style is ideal for users who need to adjust the head and foot sections for comfort but don&#;t require frequent height adjustments when getting in and out of bed.
A bariatric hospital bed is designed to meet larger-framed users' size and support needs, handling more weight than standard hospital beds. Some models can support up to 1,000 pounds, while others are suited for patients weighing 350-450 pounds, filling the gap where standard beds fall short. With heavy-duty construction, these beds are durable and feature height adjustability, safety rails, and extra width to cater specifically to bariatric patients.
Medicare will cover home hospital beds if they are prescribed by a doctor as medically necessary durable medical equipment.
A fully electric home hospital bed can range from $500 to $, and the mattress isn&#;t always included, so consumers need to ensure they are also getting all the appropriate accessories when purchasing a bed.
The primary purpose of a hospital bed is to provide effective care and treatment while ensuring patient safety and comfort. Adjustable beds are designed with a focus on maximizing user comfort and support for activities like sleeping, reading, eating, watching TV, or relaxing. They resemble standard beds more closely, while home hospital beds are geared toward treatment and often have a more institutional design and feel
A hospital bed for home care has features that cater to the needs of people recovering from an injury or who have to spend a lot of time in bed. Their adjustability makes them more appropriate than a standard bed for providing comfortable support and enabling caregivers to deliver quality care.
There are three main types of hospital beds: manual, semi-electric, and full-electric. Below, we break down each bed and our top-recommended product.
Manual hospital beds are the least expensive models, with fewer features than semi-electric or full-electric options. A manual hospital bed requires a caregiver to make adjustments via a hand crank, making them most appropriate when frequent adjustments are unnecessary.
Pros
Cons
A semi-electric hospital bed is a good choice for someone who has good enough balance to not need to adjust the height of the bed to transfer on and off. This bed style uses electric and manual adjustments, with the head and foot sections usually adjusted electrically while the height is adjusted with a manual crank.
Pros
Cons
Best Semi-Electric Hospital Bed: Competitor II Semi-Electric Hospital Bed by Drive Medical
The height, head, and feet adjustments are made with the push of a button on a full-electric hospital bed. If a patient can control the bed positioning, it decreases reliance on caregiver assistance and increases independence and confidence. If a caregiver isn&#;t close by, most full-electric beds have a feature that locks the bed in position so a patient can&#;t accidentally move it into a position that could be dangerous.
Pros
Cons
Best Full Electric Hospital Bed: Lumina Medical Electric Hospital Bed with 5 Functions
Specialty hospital beds are specialized beds that are designed to meet very specific patient needs. Some specialty beds address fall risks, bariatric patient weight, and non-clinical designs.
Although not hospital beds, sleep-to-stand beds have some of the exact positioning options as hospital beds. Sometimes, they are referred to as sit-to-stand beds or adjustable beds. They provide comfortable support for many things a person would use a home hospital bed for, like sleeping, reading, watching TV, or relaxing. They look more like standard beds and can be ordered in larger sizes to accommodate two sleepers. The less-institutional feel is attractive to many users. There are a few basic models with manually adjustable frames, but they are not used in caregiving settings. By far, most adjustable beds are fully electric, and some can take users from lying down to standing up for easy transfers. They are a good choice for people who seek some of the features of a hospital bed but want a traditional bed's look, feel, and size options.
Pros
Cons
Best Sleep to Stand Bed: Envyy EZ Out Sleep to Stand Electric Lift Bed - Twin Sized - Fixed Height - by Platinum Health
Low beds are ideal for people with a higher risk of falling because they reduce the distance between the bed and the floor, decreasing the risk of injury from a fall. These beds make it easier for users to get in and out of bed, which helps minimize the strain on a caregiver during transfers. Usually, the height is adjusted electrically, and positioning adjustability includes elevating and reclining the head and feet sections and allowing for ergonomic lying down and sitting.
Pros
Cons
Best Low Bed: FloorBed by Accora, Floor Level Fall Prevention, Height-Adjustable, Ultra-Low Bed with Bariatric Option
Standard hospital beds have a weight capacity of 350 to 450 pounds. Bariatric hospital beds, also called heavy-duty beds, can accommodate users weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Along with heavy-duty construction and larger sizes, with widths as wide as 54 inches, bariatric hospital beds feature height adjustability and can be ordered with safety rails. A bariatric bed, especially for someone who can&#;t independently reposition in a smaller bed, will support a larger patient in comfort and dignity.
Pros
Cons
Best Bariatric Hospital Bed: Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg
Deluxe hospital beds are built for long-term, heavy-duty use, meeting the needs of acute-care patients and caregivers. Side rails, mitigated entrapment risk, and exit alarms focus on patient safety. User-friendly controls include a nurse panel, and patients can adjust the bed position without assistance. Benefits of a deluxe bed include ease of treatment delivery provided by the maneuverability, electric height adjustability, and the list of accessories available with this type of bed.
Pros
Cons
Best Deluxe Hospital Bed: Span America Advantage Hospital Bed
Although not technically a hospital bed, residential design beds have hospital bed functionality in a bed you&#;d find at home. The ability to adjust this bed&#;s height and the option to install side rails make it easier for users to get out of bed than with a standard bed. The electric adjustability helps relieve pressure points and combat the development of bed sores, while the ergonomic positioning provides support and comfort. They can be ordered with waterproof mattress covers that contribute to a clinically sanitized environment at home.
Pros
Cons
Best Residential-Looking Hospital Bed: Orin Recliner Bed - Rotating, Sleep to Stand, Head and Foot Elevation by StarSleep
Although not hospital beds, safety beds offer features that address special needs and medical conditions and support sleep in a secure space. Enclosed by walls, fabric, or rails, in sizes appropriate for children and adults. Safety beds protect from falls, prevent unassisted exits, provide easy caregiver access, and protect from entrapment or entanglement. They have features like padding to protect users who have seizures, access ports for medical equipment, and support for those with sensory processing disorders who benefit from a completely enclosed space. They come in fixed heights or with manual or powered height adjustability, and mattresses range from air to gel to articulating. Some portable models are easy to take along while traveling.
Pros
Cons
When choosing a home hospital bed, select the options that best meet your needs for comfort and care to ensure the most restorative and healing sleep possible. We've reviewed the types of hospital beds available, and since not all beds come with dedicated mattresses, it's important to carefully consider your mattress needs as well.
Our article on the 5 Best Hospital Bed Mattresses will help you decide on the right bed for you when it is time to set up a home hospital bed. You can also visit Caregiver University's extensive library for more information on the best home hospital bed for your needs, as well as much, much, more!
Author:Hulet Smith, OT
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
Meet all of our experts here!
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here&#;s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Read more about our vetting process.Was this helpful?
Curious about hospital bed mattresses? Thinking of purchasing one? Read on to find out everything you need to know before buying one.
For more medical beds for saleinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
With three full layers of supportive latex-free foam for just over $200, the Drive Gravity 7 mattress is a great choice for budget shoppers. High density foam sides make it easier and safer to move individuals on and off.
An ultra-soft heel section provides extra protection and comfort. This mattress holds up to 300 pounds (lb) and includes an easy-to-clean cover that is water resistant and fire retardant.
Amazon Prime members enjoy free shipping and free returns on this standard-sized mattress, which measures 80 inches (in) long x 36 in wide x 6 in high. Choose from three interest-free financing plans from Amazon Prime Visa, Amazon Store Card, or Affirm.
Shop now at Amazon
The Medacure Pressure Redistribution Foam Mattress is designed to help prevent pressure sores by evenly distributing body weight across the surface. User reviews say the soft, plush mattress, which is made of three layers of high density memory foam and viscose elastic foam, is comfortable.
The hospital-grade nylon cover is removable, washable, antimicrobial, and waterproof. Because it can hold up to 450 lb and is available in five sizes, it is a great choice for people who are larger or taller.
Free shipping and free returns are available for Amazon Prime members. In addition to standard size (80 in L x 36 in W x 6 in H), this mattress is available in four larger sizes. Choose from three interest-free financing plans from Amazon Prime Visa, Amazon Store Card, or Affirm.
Shop now at Amazon
The Drive Medical hospital bed mattress boasts therapeutic features like pressure redistribution and friction reduction without breaking the bank.
The removable, fluid resistant, nylon stretch cover protects the skin from friction and moisture, while the nonskid bottom prevents the mattress from shifting. The mattress is made of supportive memory foam and can support up to 350 lb.
Available in the standard size of 80 in L x 36 in W x 6 in H, this mattress ships free and arrives in approximately 1 week. Choose from three interest-free financing plans from Amazon Prime Visa, Amazon Store Card, or Affirm. This item is not eligible for returns unless it&#;s damaged or defective upon arrival.
Shop now at Amazon
The Invacare Softform Premier Mattress has multiple features that protect both the mattress and the skin from moisture. These moisture-fighting features include a coated polyurethane cover, welded seams to prevent fluid from seeping into the mattress, and a 1-in flap that covers and protects the zipper.
This firm mattress can hold up to 500 lb and has a foam U-core that can be replaced if it wears down over time.
Get free shipping and free returns with an Amazon Prime membership. This mattress is available in standard size (80 in L x 36 in W x 6 in H) and long size (84 in L x 36 in W x 6 in H). Choose from three interest-free financing plans from Amazon Prime Visa, Amazon Store Card, or Affirm.
Shop now at Amazon
Our picks for hospital mattresses were selected based on price, customer reviews, construction and materials, and product availability. We also made sure that every mattress listed is registered with the FDA. For this article, we looked at over 10 mattresses, and these four passed our rigorous vetting process. When possible, we looked for retailers that offered free shipping, easy returns, and financing options.
Hospital mattresses are considered medical supplies and are often not returnable unless they are damaged or defective.
Here are some articles to help remind you to take care of yourself. You are important, too!
Hospital beds are beneficial for preventing injury in both the person using the bed and the caregiver supporting their needs.
For an expert opinion on hospital beds, we consulted Bryan George, a full-time physical therapist assistant at a major hospital system in Portland, Oregon.
He has extensive experience working with people in hospital beds and told us, &#;The patients I see present at all different levels of mobility. Hospital beds are an incredibly versatile tool as they relate to mobility.&#;
George points out that hospital beds can be beneficial for all mobility levels: &#;For instance, some people sleep in a recliner and have a hard time transferring from laying flat in a bed to sitting upright at the side, but can walk laps around the hospital once they&#;re up.
&#;In this case, we might use the mechanical bed to help them elevate their torso and get them up and moving. The hospital bed helps us to better meet patients where they currently are, and assist them to a higher level of function.&#;
There are a variety of health conditions that would make someone a good candidate for a hospital bed, such as a stroke, COPD, or paralysis. A doctor or another trusted healthcare professional can answer questions and help determine if a hospital bed is right for your loved one.
&#;Quite frequently, a hospital bed is ordered for patients who aren&#;t expected to regain a great deal of function. Profound strokes, for instance,&#; says George. &#;They&#;re a huge help to caregivers as you can raise and lower the bed surface, easily roll a patient to one side or the other to change the linens or assist with hygiene.&#;
George also stressed the benefits of hospital beds for a person&#;s strength and sense of safety. &#;I come back to the same phrase often, &#;It&#;s safer for you to be stronger.&#;
&#;Patients who need hospital beds have often lost trust in their body, for extremely understandable reasons. Rebuilding that trust can be so hard, but it&#;s so important. From a rehabilitation standpoint, a hospital bed is a tool that helps patients to safely regain function, not replace it.&#;
Hospital bed mattresses can be an effective tool for various health conditions and mobility issues, but there is a risk of side effects with prolonged use. Pressure sores or pressure ulcers can be a concern for people who spend a lot of time in bed.
&#;We tend to think of pressure ulcers as things that happen to someone&#;s heels and sacrum, but they can form anywhere there&#;s skin,&#; George explains. &#;Someone who tends to lean their head to the right too much can get a pressure ulcer on their forehead if it sits against the plastic.&#;
He adds, &#;There are two main ways a person might develop a pressure ulcer: Either they lack the physical ability to move their body, or they lack the sensation that prompts them to do so. Without precautionary measures, it is a medical certainty that immobility will result in pressure ulcers due to diminished blood flow to the tissue.&#;
Most hospitals have a protocol in place to prevent and treat pressure sores.
George outlined his hospital&#;s protocol, which involves &#;assessment of a patient&#;s sensation and mobility, regular visual skin checks, mobilization as tolerated, and a dedicated wound care team.
&#;Patients who are unable to move themselves might get a &#;Q2 turns&#; order, in which we offload a different side of their body every 2 hours with pillows to change where the pressure of their body sits. We also use a &#;waffle&#; mattress, which is an inflatable cushion between the mattress and the patient.&#;
Folks who are not mobile have a higher risk of deconditioning, which is the decline of physical function &#; including weakening of the muscles &#; due to lack of physical activity.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help reduce the risk of deconditioning. Other common concerns include blood clots, poor circulation and constipation, or other digestive issues.
If prescribed by a doctor, insurance will often cover at least part of the cost of a hospital bed mattress. Check with the insurance company to determine coverage.
In most cases, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the cost of hospital bed mattresses.
Most hospital bed mattresses are between 6 and 7 in thick. This allows for them to be flexible enough to move with the adjustable bed frame.
In hospital settings, hospital bed mattresses are very similar to the consumer grade mattresses described in this article. Most hospitals will have a variety of mattresses on hand, and their mattresses may be heavier duty in order to withstand years of use.
Some hospital bed mattresses are the same size as a twin mattress, but most are longer in length, equivalent to a twin XL, or wider.
The biggest concern for people who are not mobile is pressure sores. A mattress specifically designed to alleviate pressure and allow for airflow is likely the best mattress for their needs.
The right hospital bed mattress can help with mobility, safety, and independence. Take into account your budget and your medical needs to find the best option for you or your loved ones. If you&#;re still unsure about which option to choose, ask a doctor for guidance.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of multifunction electric icu bed. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.