Hi. My mom (81) up till now has used her regular bed. She needs assistance in the middle of the night to have the Depends changed. The aide that is working with her now (covering while reg aide is on vacation) suggested we get a hopsital bed to make the process easier in the night for both the aide and mom. Her regular aide agreed it would be a good idea all around. I got a RX for it from her doctor. Since she needs a new mattress anyway I thought the timing might be good. I just had a Geriatric Social Worker evaluate her and she thought that since mom was still able to use the commode at night but just preferred to stay in bed for the Depends change due to leg weakness, that the hospital bed may not be such a great idea. She thought it might be "reinforcing" an attitude of not encouraging independence/moving more, etc. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has feedback on this matter, brand names, etc. My mom sounded like she didnt care much either way. (The way her bed is now, the railing we have now does not drop down, it is permanent and the bed is aganist a wall on one side.)
However, I see the social worker's point too. Not knowing the details of your mom's situation my suggestion would be to go ahead and get the hospital bed if you expect your mom to eventually be bed-bound but still encourage your mom to get up to void. If you put a bedside commode next to her she won't have to walk far to void.
Once someone is at the point of sitting around in wet Depends that opens up a whole other can of worms so it's best to avoid that until it becomes absolutely necessary.
Some of the nursing home SWs...well, best left unsaid.
Definitely fully electric and the best mattress. Rates right up there with those wonderful rock/recliner lift chairs.
The railings will help your mother get out of bed when she does get up.
And as Maryanne suggests, get one with an alternating pressure mattress. Once plugged in, it automatically rotates sections of the mattress and helps to prevent development of pressure ulcers.
Besides, surely she'll be able to get out of a good hospital bed just as easily, if not more easily and more safely, won't she? So if she does prefer to transfer to the commode, the hospital bed won't stop her. And I agree you or the aides should encourage her - let her hold on to her dignity for as long as she reasonably can.