With the advancement of medical technology and the improvement of people’s health awareness, more and more rehabilitation assistive devices are entering ordinary people’s homes and becoming and important partner in home rehabilitation. Among them, oxygen concentrators and home care beds(such as electric beds) are gaining increasing attention because they significantly improve the quality of life of users and reduce the burden of family care. However, faced with a wide variety of products on the market, how can we choose a device that truly suits our needs or those of ouor family? how can we use them safely and effectively?
Oxygen concentrator:protecting respiratory health
Oxygen concentrators physically separate oxygen from the air and provide high-concentration oxygen to patients who need oxygen therapy. They are widely used in home treatment and rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), cor pulmonale, sleep apnea syndrome, etc.
Key points for purchase:
- Clarify your needs and follow your doctor’s advice: This is the most critical step! Be sure to purchase after your doctor has made a clear diagnosis and prescribed oxygen therapy. The doctor will determine whether oxygen therapy is needed, the required oxygen flow range(such as liter/min, 3liter/min, 5liter/min, etc.) and the daily oxygen inhalation time(such as continuous, oxygen inhalation, night oxygen inhalation, etc.) based on the patient’s condition, blood oxygen saturation, activity tolerance, etc. Be clear about these parameters before purchasing.
- Distinguish between health care and medical use: There are ” health care type” and “medical type” oxygen concentrators on the markets. Health care type oxygen concentrators usually have a small oxygen flow rate(generally no more than 1L/min) and unstable concentration(may be less than 90%), which is suitable for temporary use by people traveling in plateaus or suffering from mild hypoxia. For patients who need oxygen therapy, a medical-grade oxygen concentrator must be selected, whose oxygen concentration must be stable at 93%±3% and can provide the flow rate required by the doctor’s prescription(such as the concentration still meets the standard at 5L/min).
- Focus on the core parameters:
Flow range: Ensure that the machine can provide the flow prescribed by the doctor and have a certain margin(for example, if the prescription requires 3L/min, a model with a maximum flow of 5L/min can be selected).
Oxygen concentration: Medical grade oxygen concentration must be ≥90%(usually 93%±3%) at nominal flow rate.
Noise level: Noise is an important factor affecting the user experience, especially at night. It is better to choose a product with noise below 45 decibels(dB). Check the noise value under different flow rates.
Nebulizer function: If the patient needs nebulizer inhalation treatment, choosing an oxygen concentrator with nebulizer function can serve two purposes in one machine.
Timing function: For patients who need timed oxygen inhalation, the timed power on and off function is very practical.
Alarm function: Safety functions such as low oxygen concentration alarm and power failure alarm are essential.
- Consider ease of use and maintenance:
Operation interface: Is it clear and simple, especially convenient for the elderly to operate.
Volume and weight: Consider the convenience of moving and storing. If you need to move, you can pay attention to models with wheels or portable models.
Condumables cost: Understand the replacement cycle and price of consumables such as oxygen tubes, humidification bottles, and filter cotton.
After-sales service: Choose a brand with good reputation, wide coverage of after-sales service outlets, and timely response.
- Precautions for use:
Strictly follow the doctor’s instructions: Inhale oxygen according to the flow rate and time prescribed by the doctor, and do not adjust it on your own.
Correct connection: Make sure the oxygen tube is tightly connected and the humidifier bottle should be filled with distilled or purified water to the specified scale line(if applicable).
Safe use of oxygen: Fireworks, open flames and flammable and explosive items are strictly prohibited within 1 meter around the oxygen concentrator! Keep the area around the machine well ventilated.
Regular cleaning and disinfection: Strictly follow the instructions to clean the humidification bottle, oxygen tube(it is recommended to be replaced regularly) and filter cotton to prevent bacterial growth.
Regular maintenance: Replace consumables according to the instructions and contact the manufacturer or professionals regularly for maintenance.
Long term care beds: improving comfort and reducing the burden of care
Long term care beds, especially electric beds, can electrically adjust the angles of the back and leg boards to help users easily stand up, bend their legs, sit, turn over, and other functions, greatly improving the comfort and dignity of bedridden people. At the same time, it significantly reduces the physical burden of caregivers and reduces the risks of nursing(such as pressure sores and falling out of bed).
Purchase points:
- Assess user needs
Self-care ability: Can the user take care of themselves partially? Does he need to be completely dependent on others? This determines the functional requirements of the bed(such as whether it needs to be electric and whta functions are required).
Physical condition: Height and weight(determine the size and load-bearing capacity of the bed), main medical conditions(such as whether there is a risk of pressure sores, need for special body positions, etc.).
Caregiver situation: The caregiver’s physical strength and age, and whether the burden of turning over, getting up, etc. needs to be reduced.
- Core function selection
Backboard lift: The most basic and important function, helping users to sit up from lying flat, convenient for eating, reading, communication, etc. The larger the angle range, the better(usually 0-70° or more).
Leg lift: Promote blood circulation in the legs, relieve edema and improve comfort.
Overall lift: It is convenient for caregivers to perform nursing operations(such as changing bed sheets, scrubbing) and protect the caregiver’s waist; it is also convenient for users to get in and out of bed.
Turning over left and right: For users who cannot turn over on their own, this function can effectively prevent pressure sores and is an important feature of high-end nursing beds.
Bed exit alarm: For users who are at risk of falling out of bed(such as elderly people with congnitive impairment), this function can remind caregivers in time.
Toilet hole design: Convenient for going to the toilet in bed.
- Bed and mattress
Size and load-bearing capacity: Choose the appropriate bed width(commonly 90cm, 100cm) and length according to the user’s body shape, and ensure that the load-bearing capacity is sufficient.
Mattress selection: Nursing beds usually require special mattresses(such as sponge, spring, latex or more professional anti-bedsore air mattresses). It is very important to choose a mattress that is supportive, breathable and easy to clean, especially for patients at risk of pressure sores.
- Safety and control
Motor and structure: The motor should run smoothly and with low noise; the bed structure should be stable and without shaking. Pay attention to safety certification(such as CE, ISO13485, etc.)
Control method: Wired remote control is the most common, and the location should be convenient for users and caregivers to operate. Some high-end bed models support wireless remote control or APP control
Post time: Jul-11-2025