Bedroom Design Questions

[AP1967]

I am fairly newly diagnosed. My home is a two floor home with bedrooms on the second floor. We installed a chair lift, but we are also planning to add a first floor bedroom and full bath to the house. I have some logistic questions for you all.

When you are at the point that you have a hospital bed, does your partner also have a bed in the room? A couch? A reclining chair? I am trying to plan for size. space, and layout? And if you need a caregiver at night, are they in the room (alternatively) or in another room?

Any comments are appreciated.

 

[Nikki J]

Often people have another single bed that they can push together so it is sort of like sleeping in a king. You would want room to be able to move it away and still be able to work in the room

Do you want me to move this to general so cals and former cals can answer too

 

[AP1967]

Yes please. I wasn't sure where to post. Thank you!

 

[Nikki J]

Going forward. Pals is where pals talk amongst ourselves and cals is for cals only. We meet everywhere else so practical questions are good in general. The role specific issues that are more about feeling where you want to hear from peers are good for pals ( or cals if you are one)

 

[BLehman180]

My wife was diagnosed with ALS so we bought an adjustable bed. She was so scared that she was going to be in a hospital bed the rest of her time. We bought the split king. That way I am able to be right by her side. Plus the bed basically has all the features of a hospital bed. It is a comfort to her.

 

[AP1967]

BLehman180​

Do you mind sharing the brand bed you bought? Do you and your wife like it?
I am thinking I may need one prior to moving to a hospital bed (in my future new first floor bedroom). Right now, even with a bed cane, it is hard for me to independently get up and out of bed when lying down. My husband has to get up and pull me up whenever I need to get up (go bathroom few times in middle of night).
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[lgelb]

Hospital beds get a lot of bad press. With linens on, if you don't have a headboard and footboard, aka "panel," (neither of which is necessary and interferes with care/transfers anyway), a hospital bed looks like a bed unless you crawl under it.

If you're having problems getting out of bed, why not get a bed that does everything you need now/later? Even the kind I recommend that includes reverse Trendelenburg functionality, is going to, with or without a contribution from insurance, cost less in total than two beds.

Ultimately, you will need to do Hoyer transfers and a hospital bed is designed for this, whereas an adjustable bed will likely bring compromises in terms of positioning in "the drop zone."

 

[KimT]

I agree with everything Laurie posted.

I had an adjustable bed when I was diagnosed. I still have good quad strength but even though my adjustable bed does a lot of things, it isn't a hospital bed. I wouldn't be able to use a hoyer lift with my current setup. If you're doing an addition, make the bedroom and bathroom plenty big. You may want to consider a ceiling track lift, too.