Fusia
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2019
- Messages
- 150
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2019
- Country
- US
- State
- MT
- City
- Big sky country
I've mentioned recently in a few posts that I am in search of a hospital bed. I've searched and read threads on this forum about what to look for in a bed/mattress, and have looked at many online providers about specific bed models. One of my issues is that the Medicare approved DME providers in my geographic area carry very few options - typically one or two of the lower end models with minimal functions. So, I am considering finding the bed I want online and paying for it out of pocket, then getting the mattress I want through my local DME since I believe they have more options available for mattresses.
Given all that, I have some specific questions about choosing a bed and mattress:
1. It's been suggested in a resource guide here and in some threads that I should look for a bed with LINAK motor(s).
A. Why is that suggested, and how critical is that?
B. The bed specs that I see online do not indicate what kind of motors are used. What's the best way to find out?
C. Are there certain brands that specifically use LINAK motors?
D. I read that LINAK motors are used in some of the more consumer-oriented beds, and that LINAK now has app controlled functionality. Are there any more medically-oriented beds that now offer the LINAK app control?
2. The functions I'm looking at include up/down for head, legs, overall height, as well as Trendelenburg/Reverse Trendelenburg. I also saw one bed which allowed manually raising the foot section, which helped with swelling in the feet - this seems like a useful function, as well.
A. Would you recommend getting the function allowing the foot section to be raised?
B. Is this set of functions reasonable?
C. Should I consider any other functions?
3. I am about 5'5", so I think the 80 inch length would suffice for me. I'm considering the 42 inch width. Fortunately, space is not an issue in my bedroom. Does that wider width make it easier or more difficult for caregivers?
4. Does anyone have any specific recommendations for a make/model that would match what I'm looking for?
5. Mattress: Since I live alone and I don't plan to have an overnight caregiver at least for a while, I'm thinking the alternating air pressure sleeping surface might be a good choice for me - it would reduce the need for me to be moved throughout the night.
A. Assuming I go that route, should I go with an air pressure mattress or just an air pressure overlay on top of a standard mattress?
B. Would the air mattress be a better choice given that I would be going through Medicare?
C. Do you have any specific recommendations for a good make/model or what features to look for/avoid?
Given all that, I have some specific questions about choosing a bed and mattress:
1. It's been suggested in a resource guide here and in some threads that I should look for a bed with LINAK motor(s).
A. Why is that suggested, and how critical is that?
B. The bed specs that I see online do not indicate what kind of motors are used. What's the best way to find out?
C. Are there certain brands that specifically use LINAK motors?
D. I read that LINAK motors are used in some of the more consumer-oriented beds, and that LINAK now has app controlled functionality. Are there any more medically-oriented beds that now offer the LINAK app control?
2. The functions I'm looking at include up/down for head, legs, overall height, as well as Trendelenburg/Reverse Trendelenburg. I also saw one bed which allowed manually raising the foot section, which helped with swelling in the feet - this seems like a useful function, as well.
A. Would you recommend getting the function allowing the foot section to be raised?
B. Is this set of functions reasonable?
C. Should I consider any other functions?
3. I am about 5'5", so I think the 80 inch length would suffice for me. I'm considering the 42 inch width. Fortunately, space is not an issue in my bedroom. Does that wider width make it easier or more difficult for caregivers?
4. Does anyone have any specific recommendations for a make/model that would match what I'm looking for?
5. Mattress: Since I live alone and I don't plan to have an overnight caregiver at least for a while, I'm thinking the alternating air pressure sleeping surface might be a good choice for me - it would reduce the need for me to be moved throughout the night.
A. Assuming I go that route, should I go with an air pressure mattress or just an air pressure overlay on top of a standard mattress?
B. Would the air mattress be a better choice given that I would be going through Medicare?
C. Do you have any specific recommendations for a good make/model or what features to look for/avoid?