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Elderly parents
Original poster

Getting a hospital bed at home

54 replies

NetZeroZealot · 09/12/2023 09:09

Not sure if this is the right place to post but it's a start.
Think we will need to move my father to a bed downstairs and he will need a hospital bed that goes up & down etc..
Anyone else done this, how did you get the bed, how long did it take, can you get them 2nd hand??
Thanks.

OP posts:
Watfrordmummy · 09/12/2023 09:11

Speak with your GP, I know that all of that was provided by social services for my dad.

yelrac · 09/12/2023 09:24

Watfrordmummy · 09/12/2023 09:11

Speak with your GP, I know that all of that was provided by social services for my dad.

Don't bother with the GP as you really don't need to. Refer yourself to your local authority OT team for an assessment.

Mumof1andacat · 09/12/2023 09:29

You can rent them privately but it can be expensive. Your gp might be able to refer you to your local community care team ( made up of district nurses, physio and ots) the ot can assess for a hospital bed. Also try your local social services for an ot assessment.

Mischance · 09/12/2023 09:33

Local Authority OT ordered this for my late OH. Speak to Social Services and they will refer. Ours arrived extremely quickly - it had an electrically controlled ripple mattress as well as being able to move up and down. It also had "cot sides" which could be moved out of the way and not used, in case your Dad would see these as unacceptable.

nervesonnerves · 09/12/2023 09:37

When we needed it earlier this year it was organised by OT at the hospital and they gave my details as the contact. It was all done very quickly and efficiently and delivery was v quick. We actually didn't need it in the end, as sadly my lovely Mum passed before coming home... and collection was also arranged swiftly.

The OT also gave me details of a company we could hire other equipment from eg over the bed table, or a special more upright chair easier to get in and out of. These were available on a monthly hire rate and were also available to be delivered/collected v quickly.

Unescorted · 09/12/2023 09:38

My dad's came from a GP referral to social services.

AnnaMagnani · 09/12/2023 09:40

If you need a hospital bed the NHS will provide one. Delivery is generally rapid. However in some areas the criteria are tighter than others.

Rosecutting · 09/12/2023 09:43

This is quite a common occurrence.
Speak to GP for OT outreach.
For patients in hospital needing a hospital bed at home on disharge, it’s organised via the OT before patient goes home.

You shouldn’t have to buy one.

Lovepeaceunderstanding · 09/12/2023 09:45

The hospice nurse arranged this for my dad. Have a word with adult social services.

Wishimaywishimight · 09/12/2023 09:53

I'm in Ireland so it may be different but it was the "discharge nurse' at the hospital who organised this for my dad. It was all very organised we had the hospital bed and oxygen sorted within 3 or 4 days.

Sunshineandrainbow · 09/12/2023 09:54

Have you currently got any services involved with your dad?

tescocreditcard · 09/12/2023 09:55

Start with the GP. If they can't do it they will signpost you to someone who can.

annonymousse · 09/12/2023 09:58

Another one where OT arranged it for my dad. It arrived within days of being recommended.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 09/12/2023 10:03

There are criteria that need to be met to qualify for a hospital style bed in the community and they can either be funded by health or social services depending on what the person’s primary need is.

Does your DF have any input from district nurses, carers, physio, OT etc at the moment? If so I would start by asking them, if not I would ring district nurses and ask for guidance.

Arggghhhhhhhh · 09/12/2023 10:04

Agree with asking occupational therapist - if yiu don't have the number, the doctor's surgery can probably help.

flexigirl · 09/12/2023 10:14

Hi yes we did it and it took four hours before the bed was delivered ! Mum was in hospital dying unfortunately due to covid and we wanted to get her home so my gran could be with her , the OT phoned arjo huntleigh who generally provide the beds ( not sure if they are used for whole of uk or area specific ) and they were absolutely wonderful . Made a really awful situation a tiny bit better for us all as we could be with her

BrimfulOfMash · 09/12/2023 10:15

You probably don’t need an actual hospital bed, though these can be delivered if someone is under the palliative care team, for example, and the GP can sort this. They are big, v high tec, have inflating anti-bedsore mattresses etc.

There are motorised mobility beds and these are often available second hand. Search motorised adjustable bed on Marketplace, they won’t advertise ‘mobility’ aids.

But getting an assessment from an OT via Adult Services would be good. They can advise on commode or ‘moby’ frame for toilet / mobility aids / etc.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 09/12/2023 10:28

@BrimfulOfMash these beds are a standard size so they can have any type of mattress depending on the needs of the patient. The mattresses can also be changed as those needs change.

Many are provided by social services to ensure the health and safety of carers who are supporting less mobile patients.

popularinthe80s · 09/12/2023 10:50

Just to add to the excellent advice above, OP- you can ask for them to be deconstructed and installed upstairs, if preferred. My DM has it in her bedroom, which makes it feel more homely for her.

Appreciate that not everyone will have a set up to accommodate this.

Original poster
NetZeroZealot · 09/12/2023 11:48

Thank you everyone for so much excellent and quick advice.

Dad's condition has declined very quickly, but we have had one visit from OT already (who have provided a commode, walking frame and sorted an alarm) so that sounds a good place to start.

He is in hospital at the moment but we are preparing for when he will come home.

Has anyone had a double bed, as my Mum is keen to be close to him too.

OP posts:
flexigirl · 09/12/2023 11:51

@NetZeroZealot it was the hospital OT who organised mums immediate delivery of a bed , you may have to push them though . Good luck. I'm sorry your pops is poorly x

TheShellBeach · 09/12/2023 11:55

A double bed would be counter-productive.

One of the main reasons for a hospital bed is to help carers when they're nursing the occupant. It would hurt someone's back to have to lean over a double bed.

weaselwords · 09/12/2023 11:58

NetZeroZealot · 09/12/2023 11:48

Thank you everyone for so much excellent and quick advice.

Dad's condition has declined very quickly, but we have had one visit from OT already (who have provided a commode, walking frame and sorted an alarm) so that sounds a good place to start.

He is in hospital at the moment but we are preparing for when he will come home.

Has anyone had a double bed, as my Mum is keen to be close to him too.

I’m so sorry that your dad is unwell. I'm an occupational therapist and would say that the hospital discharge team should arrange a profiling bed and anything else he needs. Don’t allow discharge home until everything he needs has been arranged, including care. This happens a lot and results in people going back into hospital when they don’t need to.

Profiling beds are for one person only. Could you move a single downstairs next to it, for your mum?

AnnaMagnani · 09/12/2023 11:59

If he is in hospital at the moment, all equipment needed, including hospital bed, should be delivered before his discharge. Ask on the ward.

There are adjustable double beds but you would have to buy one, they are ££££ and nurses/carers/your back will be very unhappy about using one as some of the purpose of adjustability is to protect anyone looking after him. You can't nurse someone effectively on a double bed without risking injuring yourself.

Hairyfairy01 · 09/12/2023 12:00

It would depend on why he needed a hospital bed as to who (if anyone would) fund it. Is it because of a nursing need ie- skin breakdown, assist careers in changing etc then district nurses will normally arrange it.

If it is for function ie enabling him to be able to get in and out of bed, prevent falls then it would normally come under Occupational Therapy.
If he is in hospital now, the potential need for a hospital bed should be discussed as a MDT and arranged before discharge.
A double bed will not be funded.

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