To some, medical (or hospital) beds may seem uncomfortable and not beneficial. Although we do not force the use of medical beds (we will do our best to accommodate the bed type of choice per a residents’ request if it is doable), we do however strongly encourage them for quite a few beneficial reasons.
First of all, medical beds are excellent at promoting blood flow. Most medical beds have the ability to lift the head and feet, as well as the height of the bed. The ability to lift the head and feet brings many health benefits and promotions. A common health concern, especially within elderly adults that are wheelchair bound (or not able to walk much), is edema of the legs. Edema is the retention of fluids in the leg that can cause swelling, pain, loss of mobility, among many other concerns. Lifting the legs while the residents sleep on these beds allows for the blood (fluids) to flow away from the legs and back to the heart. Inversely, raising the head slightly while sleeping also has many benefits. The major benefit of sleeping with the head slightly raised allows for easier breathing. It also helps prevent pooling of fluids in the lungs, which can cause bronchitis, among other breathing conditions.
Another benefit of medical beds is its ability to be cleaned. Accidents happen, so whether it is incontinence, bleeding, etc., it is best to have a mattress that can be easily cleaned and sanitized. Medical beds are made with a waterproof exterior, which allows for caregivers to easily clean up any mess that may be made on the bed. Unlike normal mattresses that would soak up and retain any contaminant exposed to them, the medical bed allows for us to fully ensure that no lingering contaminants are left of the bed. This helps us to provide a perfectly sanitary and clean living environment for our residents.
As mentioned before, the medical bed has the ability to rise up and down. This has many benefits, but a primary reason for this is to allow the bed to be lower to the ground than traditional beds. Traditional beds can sit as high as 3 or even 4 feet off the ground. Not only is a bed this high difficult for seniors, especially those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any other mobility or memory/ mental impairment, but it also can lead to serious injuries if these seniors fall out of them. Most medical beds can lower to being just a foot or two off the ground which helps prevent major injuries if the resident does fall out of these beds. The difference in severity of injury from 3-4 feet compared to a 1-2 foot drop is significant and even potentially life saving.
The list of benefits of the use of medical beds can go on much longer, but these reasons alone are significant enough as to show why we encourage the use of our medical beds.
If you have any questions, or are seeking a new care home for yourself or a loved one, don't hesitate to contact us!
The Promised Land Adult Family Home
(425) 420-5656
Bothell Washington
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