Hospital Beds
What Is The Ideal Height for a Home Hospital Bed?
SonderCare Learning Center
SonderCare Learning Center
What Is The Ideal Height for a Home Hospital Bed? Most people take the height of their ordinary bed for granted. The height can vary depending on the thickness of the frame and mattress, but conventional flat beds generally come 25 inches off the floor to the top of the deck. A hospital bed is better for patients and those with mobility challenges, as the hi-low function lets them raise from and lower to the floor. But at what elevation should the user set their bed?
The ideal bed height for home patient safety depends on the patient, their ability to move independently, and their care needs. It is important to emphasize that the buyer of the bed should consider the total height of the bed (including the mattress height) when considering their needs and setting it up in the home.
Patient movement in and out of a hospital bed is essential for recovery and building muscles; the mobilization out of a hospital bed will often begin with sitting on the side of the bed. One of the advantages of using a SonderCare hospital bed is the ability to lower the off-the-floor height of the mattress to make it easier to get the patient in and out of bed.
The height must be in the best position for placing the feet flat on the floor to minimize the risk of injury. A lower bed can make it easier for people with limited mobility to get in and out of bed.
The optimal bed elevation for safely moving from sitting to standing varies based on the user’s stature; this should be noted in their care plan. A hospital bed will have an adjustable height range of as much as 17-inches, with the height off the floor to the top of the mattress as low as 15-inches, and with overall heights over 35” (depending on the model). The most common height range from floor to the top of the mattress on a hospital bed adjusts about 21-inches to 29-inches. The Sondercare bed has a low height of 17” and a high height of 39”, making the 22” travel range one of the largest in the industry.
Hospital beds can also better accommodate users who need a lifting device to transfer out of bed. Caregivers will often use hydraulic patient lifts when it is not safe for patients to do it themselves. These pieces of medical equipment have upper and lower lifting ranges, and they may not be compatible with a bed that is too low. For example, a non-adjustable low-profile bed 24 inches high is not suitable for hydraulic lifts with a minimum height of 28 inches.
Seniors falling out of bed is a major concern in geriatrics and home healthcare workers. Depending on the height of the bed, a senior may become severely injured by falling out of bed. Seniors may fall out of bed at night, and they will likely be disoriented and fatigued when the fall occurs. For elderly patients, it can also lead to serious head and skeletal injuries.
Hospital beds that have low-height capabilities contribute to fall prevention strategies. Fall incidents often occur when a patient tries to get out or back into bed. One of the best ways of ensuring safe patient egress and ingress is to keep the bed in the lowest position possible.
However, some medical needs mean the bed can’t stay at the lowest position. If an elderly user tries to get out of bed while it’s at a shorter height, they can suffer from cramping, muscle pain, and severe strains. It makes having a wide range of elevations essential for well-being.
While the hi-low functionality of a SonderCare hospital bed is ideal for elderly users, it’s also essential for their health care provider. A bed in the wrong position can result in back and muscle injuries for the caregiver. The person helping the patient should not have to bend, stoop, or reach when offering treatment, especially if they have to move the patient or otherwise exert themselves. The best height to prevent this depends on the caregiver, but they should position the bed at hip height or slightly higher before performing any care work.
Whatever level is best for the caregiver of the health or mobility needs of the patient, the SonderCare line of hospital beds can take it on and minimize risks. All our care beds have hi-low elevation that makes it easy for the user and any health care provider to position the bed at the optimal height for safety and comfort.
Start Exploring Hospital Beds With SonderCare
Are you recently discharged from hospital, experiencing mobility issues, or in need of palliative or senior care? Enjoy a smoother recovery and get the luxury you deserve by choosing our home hospital products. Contact us today to discuss home hospital beds, mattresses, stand assist chairs and other accessories to make your home hospice perfect for a truly comfortable experience.
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