Choosing the right beds for a nursing home is a critical decision that directly impacts resident safety, comfort, and caregiver efficiency. However, many facilities make avoidable mistakes during the selection process—often leading to higher long-term costs and operational challenges.
Below are the most common mistakes nursing homes make when choosing beds, and how to avoid them.
1. Prioritizing Price Over Long-Term Value
One of the biggest mistakes is choosing beds based solely on the lowest upfront cost.
Low-cost beds often result in:
- Higher maintenance and replacement expenses
- Limited safety features
- Shorter product lifespan
High-quality elderly care beds provide better durability, improved safety, and lower total cost of ownership over time.
🔗 Internal link:
Elderly Care Beds for Nursing Homes
2. Ignoring Fall Prevention Features
Falls are a leading cause of injury among elderly residents. Beds that lack proper fall-prevention design significantly increase risk.
Common oversights include:
- Fixed or high bed heights
- Lack of side rail options
- No low-height positioning
Modern nursing home beds should support low-entry height and stable positioning to reduce fall-related incidents.
🔗 External reference:
CDC – Falls in Older Adults
https://www.cdc.gov
3. Choosing Hospital Beds Instead of Long-Term Care Beds
Hospital beds are designed for short-term medical treatment—not long-term daily living.
Mistakes with hospital-style beds:
- Reduced comfort for long stays
- Limited adaptability for daily activities
- Poor aesthetics for residential environments
Nursing homes benefit more from long-term care beds designed specifically for elderly residents.
🔗 Internal link:
Long-Term Care Medical Beds
4. Overlooking Caregiver Ergonomics
Beds that are difficult to adjust or lack ergonomic design increase physical strain on caregivers.
Consequences include:
- Higher caregiver injury rates
- Slower daily care routines
- Increased staff turnover
Electric height adjustment and easy-access controls significantly improve caregiver efficiency.
🔗 External reference:
OSHA – Healthcare Worker Safety
https://www.osha.gov
5. Failing to Consider Resident Comfort
Comfort is often underestimated, yet it directly affects sleep quality, mobility, and emotional well-being.
Common comfort-related mistakes:
- Hard or incompatible mattress systems
- Limited positioning options
- No pressure injury prevention compatibility
Comfort-focused beds support better rest, mobility, and quality of life for residents.
6. Not Planning for Different Levels of Mobility
Residents’ mobility levels can change over time. Beds that lack adaptability may become unsuitable quickly.
Beds should support:
- Independent residents
- Assisted mobility
- Fully dependent care
Flexible bed designs help nursing homes avoid premature equipment replacement.
7. Ignoring Maintenance and After-Sales Support
Beds are long-term investments. Choosing suppliers without reliable service can cause operational disruptions.
Key considerations:
- Availability of spare parts
- Warranty coverage
- Technical support response
Working with an experienced medical equipment supplier ensures long-term reliability.
🔗 Internal link:
About Lisamed – Medical Equipment Manufacturer
8. Forgetting About Infection Control
Infection control is essential in nursing home environments.
Common mistakes include:
- Difficult-to-clean surfaces
- Poor material durability
- Inadequate design for hygiene protocols
Beds should be designed for easy cleaning and disinfection to support infection prevention.
🔗 External reference:
WHO – Infection Prevention and Control
https://www.who.int
Conclusion
Selecting the right nursing home beds is about more than price or appearance. Avoiding these common mistakes helps facilities improve resident safety, caregiver efficiency, and long-term operational success.
By choosing purpose-built elderly care and long-term care beds, nursing homes can better meet today’s challenges—and prepare for tomorrow’s needs.
👉 Explore professional solutions:
Lisamed Nursing Home & Elderly Care Beds
