Most people who rent or buy a hospital bed for home use do so because they’re caring for someone with a temporary physical condition that makes the bed necessary, or they’re caring for someone with dementia, says Cay Ambrose, a registered nurse with Bayada, a global home health care agency.
“Our patients who’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury first go to a rehabilitation facility when they get out of the hospital,” she says. “They don’t go home from rehab until after all the equipment they need has been ordered. So, in most cases, if someone is considering a hospital bed for home, it’s because the person is dealing with something other than a catastrophic illness or acute injury.”
Ambrose suggests a caregiver who’s considering a hospital bed for home use ask the following:
If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then it’s worth looking into a hospital bed that provides mechanical lift assistance.
A hospital bed at home isn’t just useful for the person who sleeps in it—it can also save caregivers from musculoskeletal injuries. “Safety for the patient and for the caregiver is the number one concern,” says Ambrose.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, people working in health care occupations are more likely to sustain musculoskeletal injuries than workers in almost any other industry.
Annie Dodd, a licensed occupational therapist and the president and executive director of All Blessings Flow, a nonprofit organization in Charlottesville, Virginia that collects, refurbishes and redistributes used medical equipment, agrees.
“When someone becomes so debilitated that they are bed-bound, caregivers are bending over beds to assist with bathing, changing briefs and changing bed pads and sheets,” she says. “Hospital beds relieve strain for caregivers by raising the entire bed to a height that enables appropriate care of the patient.”
“As an occupational therapist, I’ve worked with patients, caregivers and families, and I know that hospital beds can truly prevent injuries,” says Dodd. Beyond physical comfort, a hospital bed that can be controlled by the patient can also improve quality of life and support a sense of independence.
This is the question: Should you buy or rent a hospital bed for home? It really depends on your situation, there are benefits to both.
If you or a loved one have recently undergone a life change that would require the use of an at-home hospital bed, then you may be considering whether it’s better to rent or buy a hospital bed.
Here are a few pros and cons to consider when deciding if you should buy or rent a hospital bed.
One thing to always consider when choosing a bed is how long you expect the bed will be used for. Long-term rentals work out to be a lot more costly than buying a hospital bed. The upfront cost of buying the bed can be burdensome, but many hospital bed dealers offer financing such as HomeCare Hospital Beds.
If you own the hospital bed, you also have the option on selling the hospital bed to recoup some of the upfront costs when you’re finished with it.
Buying a hospital bed gives you the option to customize the features you need. Most rental beds are manual beds that utilize a hand crank. Make sure to consider who will be operating the bed, who will be the primary caregiver and what their abilities are too!
Click here to read our Hospital Bed Buying Guide to help you choose the right features!
When you buy a custom hospital bed, you have complete ownership. You can customize the features or choose additional options such as side rails, inside (white glove) delivery, an extended service warranty, or an advanced mattress and more!
Upfront Cost
Even with the affordable options that are available, purchasing a bed usually means you’ll have to pay upfront. As a solution, some companies such as HomeCare Hospital Beds offer financing for people who qualify to help with this situation.
You’ll also want to consider what you would do if your hospital bed needs repair. There are certain hospital beds that are more suitable for hospitals because they require more maintenance. Make sure when you’re shopping for a hospital bed for home, that you ask what kind of routine maintenance your bed requires! Many beds are designed for home users and require little to no service. You also want to purchase a bed from a reliable source that can assist you with a repair if necessary.
Renting a hospital bed for your home is an ideal solution for individuals who don’t expect to use a hospital bed for more than a month or two. If you expect a quick recovery then renting a bed for a short amount of time is usually covered by insurance.
Another benefit of renting is that you don’t have to pay the full cost upfront. Hospital Beds can be costly and renting can break up the cost into monthly affordable payments.
Usually hospital beds that are rented are manual, not electric. So it’s important to take into consideration who will be the primary caretaker and whether or not they’re able to operate a manual bed.
Hospital bed rentals may not always come in the best condition or be the right bed for you. Rentals have been used by numerous people and as a result there’s a possibility of a break down with that additional wear and tear.
Just like when you stay at a hotel, sharing a bed can mean coming into contact with other people’s germs. However, when you share a hospital bed, those germs can sometimes be more dangerous pathogens.
If you or a loved one is immunocompromised, it’s even more important to consider whether or not renting is the right decision for you. For example, C. difficile can survive on surfaces for up to 5 months, and can be deadly. MRSA can survive on surfaces for weeks! Always inquire which disinfectant is being used by the bed rental company and ask about their cleaning process!
Renting can be the less expensive option when a hospital bed is only needed for a short amount of time, but if you’re planning on having the bed for a significant period of time, you’re likely to spend more money to rent a bed than buying a new hospital bed. On average it can cost $200 – $500 a month to rent a hospital bed for home.
Final Thoughts
In the end, buying or renting a hospital bed depends on your specific situation. Always keep in mind not only the patient’s abilities, but the caregiver’s as well.
If you have any questions on which hospital bed is right for you, please contact us so we can help you make the right choice.
Call us today! 877-414-0002
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