Do you bring your own bed to a nursing home? The definitive guide.

According to federal regulations, nursing home residents have the right to keep and use personal belongings, including furnishings. However, whether you can bring your own bed to a nursing home is a nuanced issue that depends on facility policy, the resident's medical needs, and specific safety considerations.

Quick Summary

Bringing your own bed to a nursing home is subject to a facility's specific policies, safety regulations, and a resident's medical requirements. While federal law supports the right to personalize a space, medical-grade hospital beds are often required for patient care, mobility, and safety. Personalizing the space can still be achieved with familiar bedding, throws, and other comfort items.

Key Points

• Nursing home policy takes precedence: Most skilled nursing facilities require the use of their own medical-grade hospital beds for resident care and safety.

• Federal rights have limitations: While federal regulations grant residents the right to personalize their space with furnishings, this is subject to safety and health considerations.

• Medical beds offer essential safety features: Hospital beds are equipped with adjustable height, safety rails, and specialized mattresses crucial for care and fall prevention.

• Assisted living offers more flexibility: Assisted living communities, which provide a lower level of care, are typically more open to residents bringing personal beds and furniture.

• Personalize with familiar items: You can make a room feel like home by adding personal touches like bedding, pillows, photos, and a favorite chair.

• Communicate with facility staff: Always discuss your wishes with the nursing home's admissions or administrative staff beforehand to understand their specific rules and room limitations.

• Check space and safety first: Before bringing any furniture, verify the room's dimensions and confirm that the item doesn't pose a safety hazard.

Your Right to Personalize Your Space

Federal law, specifically 42 C.F.R. § 483.10(e)(2), grants nursing home residents the right to keep and use personal possessions, including furnishings, to create a more homelike environment. This right is conditional, however, and can be limited if the personal item infringes upon the health, safety, or rights of other residents.

For many, having a personal, comfortable bed from home provides a sense of familiarity and continuity during a significant life transition. This emotional comfort can be especially important for those with conditions like dementia, where familiar surroundings can reduce confusion and disorientation.

The Medical Necessity of Hospital Beds

Despite the desire for personal furnishings, most skilled nursing facilities require residents to use the hospital-style beds they provide. These beds are specially designed to meet the complex care needs of residents, many of whom have limited mobility or are at high risk of falls.

• Adjustability: Hospital beds can be raised, lowered, and adjusted in sections to help residents get in and out of bed, assist with repositioning, and make it easier for staff to provide care without straining their backs.
• Safety Rails: Equipped with adjustable side rails, these beds help prevent residents from falling out of bed, although their use is carefully regulated to avoid being considered a restraint.
• Mobility: Many hospital beds come with locking casters, allowing staff to move residents and rearrange rooms safely and efficiently.
• Specialized Mattresses: These mattresses are designed to prevent pressure ulcers and bedsores, especially for residents who spend long periods in bed.

Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living Policies

The rules around bringing your own bed can differ significantly depending on the type of senior living community. Skilled nursing facilities, which offer a higher level of medical care, are more likely to mandate the use of their own medical-grade equipment. In contrast, assisted living communities, which focus more on independent living with supportive services, are often more flexible regarding personal furnishings.

Comparison Table: Personal Bed in Skilled Nursing vs. Assisted Living

Feature	Skilled Nursing Facility	Assisted Living Community
Bed Type	Typically requires facility-provided, adjustable hospital beds.	Often allows personal, standard beds, especially in private apartments.
Safety Standards	High-level medical and safety standards that often supersede personal preference.	Focuses on general safety; personal items must not create hazards.
Resident Mobility	Bed features are crucial for assisting residents with significant mobility issues.	Bed choice is often less critical for residents who are more independent.
Personalization	More limited to bedding, blankets, and small comfort items.	Greater freedom to bring larger, personal pieces of furniture.
Policy Enforcement	Stricter enforcement due to resident acuity and regulatory oversight.	More flexible, with policies primarily focused on safety and space limitations.

Making Your Space Feel Like Home

If bringing your own bed isn't an option, you can still personalize your loved one's room to create a familiar and comforting environment.

• Upgrade the Bedding: Replace the standard hospital bedspread with a favorite quilt, comforter, or patterned throw blanket. Use personal pillows and sheets to provide a more familiar feel.
• Add Personal Touches: Place family photos in frames on the nightstand or dresser. If the facility allows, create a photo collage on the wall. A favorite figurine, book, or cherished memento can also be comforting.
• Improve the Lighting: Harsh overhead lighting can feel sterile. A personal bedside lamp with adjustable brightness can create a warmer, cozier ambiance.
• Bring Favorite Items: Personal toiletries, a beloved chair, or supplies for a favorite hobby like knitting or reading can help maintain a sense of routine and normalcy.

How to Discuss This with the Facility

To determine if you can bring your own bed or other large furniture, it's essential to communicate with the nursing home's administrative staff, such as the admissions director, early in the process.

1. Ask for Specifics: Request a copy of the facility's policies regarding personal furniture, including restrictions on size, safety requirements, and what is provided by the facility.
2. Review the Care Plan: Discuss the resident's specific medical needs. The care plan may necessitate a hospital bed with features like height adjustment, side rails, or a specialized mattress.
3. Explore Alternatives: If a personal bed is not possible, ask if you can bring a special mattress topper or familiar pillows to place on the facility-provided bed for added comfort.
4. Inquire About Room Dimensions: Get the exact dimensions of the room and review the floor plan to understand space constraints. This can help with planning where to place smaller pieces of personal furniture.

Conclusion

While the impulse to provide a loved one with their own familiar bed is strong, the reality in a skilled nursing environment is that medical and safety needs often take precedence. It is highly unlikely that a resident will be able to bring a standard bed from home to a nursing home due to the essential features of facility-provided hospital beds. For assisted living, however, the rules are often more flexible. In both cases, the key is open communication with the facility and a focus on personalizing the space with smaller, approved comfort items that can make a room feel truly like home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own mattress to a nursing home?

Generally, no. Most nursing homes require residents to use the facility-provided mattresses on their adjustable hospital beds for health and safety reasons, such as pressure sore prevention. You may, however, be able to bring a comfortable mattress topper with facility approval.

Why can't a resident use their own bed in a nursing home?

A resident typically cannot use their own bed because nursing homes require specialized hospital beds that can be adjusted for height and position. These features are critical for safe patient care, resident mobility, fall prevention, and accommodating various medical needs.

Do I have to bring any furniture to a nursing home?

No, nursing homes provide all necessary basic furniture, including a bed, dresser, and a chair. Residents are usually encouraged to bring smaller, personal items to make their space feel more homelike, rather than large pieces of furniture.

Is it different for assisted living vs. a nursing home?

Yes, assisted living communities are often more flexible about personal furniture, including beds, than skilled nursing facilities. In an assisted living environment, the level of care is lower, and the goal is often to make the space feel more like a private apartment.

What kind of personal items can I bring to personalize a room?

You can bring items like a favorite bedspread, pillows, family photos, a bedside lamp, a personal chair, and items for hobbies. Always check with the facility first about specific items and any hanging or safety rules.

How do I ask the nursing home about their bed policy?

Contact the facility's admissions director or administrator and ask for a copy of their policies on resident possessions and furnishings. It is best to have this conversation during the initial tour or admission process.

What if the resident refuses to use the nursing home's bed?

Federal regulations grant residents the right to refuse facility-provided equipment. However, if the refusal poses a significant health or safety risk, the facility may work with the resident and family to find an acceptable compromise. In some cases, if the refusal jeopardizes safety, it may not be permissible. Involving a long-term care ombudsman may be an option for unresolved issues.