As you may already know, hospital beds are usually designed to be adjustable to ensure that patients have maximum comfort when laying in them. This is one of the most distinguishing factors that differentiate hospital beds from the regular bed or mattresses we use in our homes.
Nowadays, the use of adjustable mattresses is not only limited to hospital use alone, as manufacturers are now making flexible frames that are capable of being adjusted both at the upper and lower sections to optimize comfort at home. Since the beginning of this initiative, there has been a constant comparison between adjustable bed frames vs hospital beds, and this is everything I will be discussing in this helpful article.
Table of Contents
- Difference between the adjustable bed and hospital bed
- Is an adjustable bed the same as a hospital bed?
- Do doctors recommend adjustable beds?
- Can side sleepers use adjustable beds?
- Is it healthy to sleep on an adjustable bed?
- What are the criteria to get a hospital bed?
- Will insurance cover an adjustable bed?
Difference between the adjustable bed and hospital bed
- Design
Adjustable beds are designed bearing in mind the aesthetic of the indoor spaces, i.e., whether the outer frame is metal or wooden, it has to blend well with the decoration of the bedroom. This type of bed frame comes with head and foot sections that are independent of each other.
On the other hand, when making hospital beds, utility is always considered. These bed types are usually designed with clean metallic constructions, which makes it easier for healthcare workers to operate them and also much easier to clean them.
- Height adjustment
With the home care adjustable bed, you can easily adjust the bed to whichever height you want. In this elevated position, you can watch tv, play video games or read books without bothering to move the bed at all.
Hospital beds can also be increased or decreased as per the user’s want, but without any extra amenities
- Amenities
Adjustable beds are equipped with extra features like smartphone control, ultra lighting for vision during the night, and a USB charging port.
Hospital beds in healthcare facilities usually don’t come with these features.
- Size
Adjustable beds come in varieties of sizes, and most cases are designed to contain one or two people depending on the bed size. That is not the case with hospital beds, as they are often designed for just one person.
- Head or foot massage
Both hospital and adjustable beds are designed for ultimate comfort, but the level of comfort provided by an adjustable bed supersedes that of a hospital bed. For instance, adjustable beds have built-in massage features that help users massage their feet and head to have a good relaxing experience after a long day. Most hospital beds don’t have this feature.
Is an adjustable bed the same as a hospital bed?
No, an adjustable bed is not the same as a hospital bed. Adjustable beds and hospitals are both made to be adjusted to ensure that users get maximum comfort in them. Notwithstanding, there are still some similarities between these two-bed types, which distinguish them apart.
I have explained this in the earlier section, but for a quick summary, the distinguishing factors between these two beds are their design, inclination, size, control, and options.
Do doctors recommend adjustable beds?
Yes, doctors can recommend adjustable beds for patients. In as much as adjustable beds are comfortable, they are not considered essential for most patients. Nevertheless, this type of bed can be recommended for certain patients suffering from neck, back, or spine problems or elderly who are finding it difficult to move in and out of bed. Most times, adjustable beds are recommended by doctors for therapeutic purposes.
Can side sleepers use adjustable beds?
Yes, side sleepers can use adjustable beds. If you are a side sleeper, then consider getting an adjustable because it will allow you to sleep better and more profoundly. Below are some of the reasons why you should consider an adjustable bed as a side sleeper.
- Adjustable beds can raise your upper body into a more relaxed and comfy position where your knees will be more comfortable and have less pressure on your hip, shoulders, and neck.
- Sleeping on an adjustable bed as a side sleeper will help open up the airway and raise the head a little higher, which could prevent sleep apnea.
- As a side sleeper, adjusting the bed into a comfortable position will allow you to fall asleep easily.
- With minimum adjustments to the head elevation, pressure on joints can be reduced and also lead to the improvement of blood circulation while you remain sleeping on your side.
Is it healthy to sleep on an adjustable bed?
Yes, sleeping on an adjustable bed is healthy. There are many health and sleep benefits that come with sleeping on an adjustable bed. With this type of bed, you can easily raise your leg or head to comfortable positions, which will impact on your positively on your health.
Adjustable beds can help to reduce snoring, back pain, acid reflux, and heartburn, improve digestion, relieve arthritis pain, ease restless leg syndrome, encourage independence, and many more.
What are the criteria to get a hospital bed?
For a patient to be assigned a bed, such a patient must be suffering from a medical condition that may warrant positioning the body in a certain way that is possible with a regular bed. That is, the mattress must be required to position the body of the patient to reduce pain, whether at the neck, back, or leg.
Will insurance cover an adjustable bed?
Yes, insurance will cover an adjustable bed. The rules that guide the insurance coverage for hospital beds are also applicable to adjustable beds. Before your adjustable bed can be covered under insurance, they must be a written prescription from your doctor stating the need for the adjustable bed for your health.