Does a hospital bed at home need access both sides?

[Toorapid]

I'm going to be on a steep learning curve, never cared for a very sick person before.

We're fortunate in that we have a few options of where a bed can go. DH will be completely bed bound, so where's best?

We could move one of the sofas out of the living room and replace it with the bed. This has the advantage of being where I sit in the evening and a comfortable place for DC or any other visitors (when allowed) to keep him company. Also the big TV, but no view. The bed would be against the wall.

We also have an extended dining room. One end has dual aspect windows overlooking the garden. It would be more squashed in there, but could be done with access on both sides. No other furniture would fit though. Currently 19yo DS1 uses that end of the room for his xbox, which is nice because it means he's "around", but it can be shut off so we don't hear the noise. It could be moved to his bedroom, but then we'd never see him - he works FT, so hes not always there.

DS2 has his PC set up in a downstairs study. That would also make a suitable bedroom, more private, more isolated, no view. Bed could have access both sides and there'd be room for a chair. DS2 is wfh currently and has a very small bedroom.

I've never allowed gadgets upstairs, which has been good because DC are never shut away in their rooms. They don't seem to have realised they're now old enough to make that choice themselves or if they do, they prefer to be downstairs. When DH comes home, I imagine there are going to be times when they want to escape from it all. If we put the bed in the living room, they can do that to their usual places. Elsewhere they'd have to go upstairs.

Where would you put the bed? I'm going to get a million different answers aren't I?

I should probably also say the back of the dining room is quite overlooked, so neighbours would see him in the bed, if that matters.

ime, yes. access from both sides is better for hoisting/turning/washing.
speak to the nurses/carers.

What does the patient think?
Have you discussed it with your children to get their opinions?

I'd do this and make a decision

You could have it against a wall, but it would be much better if it could be pulled out when carers are there so they can access both sides. Then you could put it back against the wall.

The patient isn't currently well enough to give an opinion.

DC are very much "we don't mind". I expect they do have an opinion on what suits them, but they want what's best for their dad.

I'd put it in the living room, as he'll have more company there. It would be best for carers to be able to access both sides for personal care, although it is possible for them to do it from one side if totally necessary.

Hospital beds are on wheels though, so would they're be space for then to move the bed out a little while performing care, then move back to the wall?

Good luck with everything, have read your threads and thinking of you all.

I have no experience but my instinct would be that it will be more comfortable for you for it to be in the living room. You’ll be able to relax on the other sofa. I’m sure the wall won’t make any difference and I think being with you in the evenings will make more of a difference to your DH. Best wishes to you xxx

Practically for nursing, access needs to be to both sides of the bed. As a side thought, depending on the mattress, if there is a fire in the room the fire should not be used and there will need to be electric sockets nearby. Being overlooked by neighbours might not be a good idea for your husbands privacy

Oh, they're easy to move, even with the patient on board?

you need enough room for the bed to be able to be pulled out while he is receiving personal care.
so that the second carer can stand there.
then it can be pushed back against the wall, to make more room. these bed are easily moved.
one thing to consider is that if he will need complete care in bed there will at times be smells.
sorry to mention this, but it is something to consider.
i wish you all the very best.

@Toorapid yes very easy to move with patient in.

Positioning of the bed will depend on his care needs.

What equipment will he have other than the bed?
How many carers will be coming in at a time?
Is your husband able to self mobilise?

A hospital bed is very easy to move so as long as you have enough space to pull it out for care then against the wall will be fine. It also might make him feel more secure rather than in the middle of the room.

Access from both sides is really useful.

It means that more people can gather round. We had a raise/fall table on the far side which can provide a surface for the patient and then could be wheeled out of the way for changing etc.

DM could speak. With today's technology, a smart speaker with something like Alexa capability would have been a great boon.

All the best.

Do you need to think about your flooring? Carpet would be difficult to wheel over I'd have thought, and for toileting and sponge washing better if floor is washable.

No, he can't move. 2 carers. No one's said anything about other equipment as yet.

Yes, I thought about smells too, but that doesn't seem a good reason to confine him to the study on his own.

The dining room is very overlooked, but curtains can be drawn for washing etc.

privacy is not such an issue.
yo could get vertical blinds that can be angled, or quickly closed when receiving care.
most modern homes have plenty of electric points, or an extension lead can be used, as long as it is not a trip hazard.
that's a minor point.
the bed will need at least 2 electric sockets, one controlling the back rest and leg angle, and one for an air mattress. the latter is important to prevent pressure sores which can become serious in bed bound patients.

Would he want to watch what’s going on out of the front window ?

Oh, if flooring is an issue we have a problem. Dining room has a very plush carpet, the kind a vacuum cleaner struggles with I don't know what possessed me The other rooms have a thinner wool carpet.

@DinosaurDiana

Would he want to watch what’s going on out of the front window ?

I did think that, but I can't find a way to position the bed so he can see out of the window and see the TV. Where I'm thinking he'll have his back to the window.

I think sockets will be OK, just, in any of the rooms.

that's not a problem.
you can get a heavy duty large rubberised mat to place at the side of the bed from which he would be washed.
all these details can be coped wit.
where does he want to be.

Some trailing wires in the dining room

Do you know yet what package of care he will be receiving? Usually for someone bed bound it’s 4 calls a day, morning, lunch, mid afternoon and evening/night calls. Think about how you as a family use the home/how that will work with two caters arriving 4 times a day.

I know you say he’s bed bound, is that because he’s immobile or it’s where he’s most comfortable? In the community it’s common to have a hoist and be in a custom armchair during the day, if that’s the case perhaps you’d keep his bed in a more private space where he can rest and the armchair in the living room.

What flooring is in the rooms? A smooth/hard floor is most ideal, no rugs etc. You’d also need to have room for a side table to allow a wash bowl/storage for amenities for the carers.

The hospital bed will have an airflow mattress that will need to be plugged in 24/7, it can irritate some people if you’re sensitive to noise etc.

You might find it helpful to ask to speak to an OT. They will likely be able to give advice on what equipment is needed and very realistic advice on access, flooring etc.