Electronic/ Hospital Bed Dementia

[FelixA7]

All --

My 90+ year old father, who is in the early stages of dementia, rolled out of bed and hit the ground hard while trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom at night. He forgot that he had to ring the bell for the night attendant and, perhaps, got confused about the steps he needed to take to get to the bathroom.

In an effort to avoid a fall in the future, I would like to buy a hospital bed that lowers to 6" from the ground and that has an alarm, which would indicate to the attendant who sleeps next door that he is attempting to get out of bed. There should also be some form of guard rails. Does anyone have any suggestions for quality hospital beds or electronic beds that have these features? Any companies, local or not local, that sell these beds?

I've heard of renting hospital beds, but I would rather just purchase one because my father is in very good health (aside from dementia) and could live for several years more.

[Anonymous]

He doesn't have rail on the bed? How far long with dementia? I'm surprised they thought he would remember to ring a bell when it impairs new memories. There are alarms though I can't recall if it's separate or comes with the bed. The attendant may need to be in the room-a personal aide. I assume you have people in shifts? Is he at home or a facility?

[Anonymous]

Medicare pays for a hospital bed.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know about alarms but you can buy a hospital bed with a rail from medical supply companies.

Also if you’re not already using a baby monitor, add one so the aide can hear him.

[Anonymous]

My mom’s place won’t allow rails on the beds- they say they are considered a “restraint device” and illegal in Virginia. The best I could do for my mom was find her a facility where they do hourly checks at night. It’s not ideal but if I can try to remind her as best I can that someone will be in within an hour to help (and if she remembers) it may help some. Another facility I toured relied on motion sensors in the room.

[Anonymous]

I'm not local so can't recommend a specific place, but I would google a local medical supply place. They might even have a brick-and-mortar where you can go and talk to the employee about an appropriate bed.

You should be able to find what you are looking for. You might be able to get one with a 'bed exit' alarm also. I would not rely on Dad to ever remember to use the call button-my own Dad is currently hospitalized for a fall from bed (despite having a handrail. He should have had a hospital bed months ago but he and Mom refused. We are getting one now) and he will never remember to use a call button. It's just not cognitively possible I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medicare pays for a hospital bed.

This. Have his doctor write a prescription for hospital bed. This is DME (durable medical equipment) and covered by Medicare. You can either rent or buy the bed. If rent..the bed becomes yours after renting for 9-12 months. I did this for my parent at their assisted living. When I moved them from one assisted living to another I also moved the hospital bed with them and you just have to let the supplier know the address of where you are moving the bed to.

[Anonymous]

I have seen mattresses on the floor, the theory being that it poses a reduced fall risk and improves the likelihood that if the person falls it will be back onto the bed. I think the utility of this depends at least in part on the ability of the person to stand up from the lower starting point.

I have seen strips of fabric like wide belts velcroed to the door frame at about chest height, the theory being thet the person won’t push past the barrier.

Something you have to remember with guardcrsils is that people will clamber over them, significantly increasing fall risk.

Also, once a person is confined to bed they’re going to need incontinence care even if they ordinarily don’t.

[FelixA7]

Thank you for all these great comments and suggestions. And I will be careful about guardrails given the incontinence-management considerations.

Does anyone have any suggestions for companies in Maryland that sell quality hospital beds?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Adding some quick thoughts:

My late father lived in skilled nursing and had dementia - he was a fall risk and I specifically recall a mattress alarm of some sort maybe something akin to a flat heating pad? The alarm alerted to the staff desk.

My late mom had full time aides but lived independently - the aides were not allowed to sleep on duty - they were in her apartment.

[Anonymous]

I would probably also cover the floor with padding like the kind you find in a gym, or a padded kitchen mat near the bed.