Pflegebett & Spitalbett Schweiz: Kaufen, Mieten & Kosten

The terms care bed, hospital bed, and sickbed are often used interchangeably in everyday life. However, there are differences:

• Care bed: A bed specially designed for home care with an electrically adjustable head and foot section, height-adjustable frame, and side rails. Care beds are designed to be more homely and blend better into the home
• Hospital bed (clinical bed): A functional hospital bed primarily developed for clinical use. It offers the same adjustment options but has a simpler design and is often equipped with additional features such as wheels and infusion holders
• Sickbed: A general term covering both care beds and hospital beds. In the home setting, it usually refers to a simple, adjustable bed for care-dependent persons

What they all have in common is their central function: they enable ergonomic care by making it easier to position the care-dependent person and protecting the caregiver's back.

Whether you should buy or rent a care bed depends on the expected duration of use and your financial situation.

Renting a hospital bed

• Advantages: Low initial costs, flexible for temporary needs (e.g. after surgery), delivery and collection included, maintenance often included in the rental price
• Disadvantages: More expensive in the long run than buying, less choice in design and equipment
• Typical costs: CHF 150-350 per month, depending on model and provider

Buying a hospital bed

• Advantages: Cheaper in the long term when used over several months, greater choice of models and equipment, no ongoing rental costs
• Disadvantages: Higher purchase costs, storage and disposal when not in use
• Typical costs: CHF 1,500-5,000 for an electric care bed, high-quality models up to CHF 8,000

Rule of thumb: For expected use of less than 6 months, renting is often cheaper. For longer-term needs, buying is worthwhile.

The compulsory health insurance (OKP) can contribute to the costs of a care bed, provided certain conditions are met. The basis is the MiGeL (List of Means and Objects).

The following conditions must be met:

• Medical prescription: The treating doctor must certify the medical necessity of a care bed
• MiGeL listing: The care bed must be listed in the MiGeL or correspond to a listed product
• Maximum reimbursement amount (HVB): The health insurer covers costs up to the set maximum amount. You bear the difference for a more expensive model yourself

As a rule, the health insurer covers a rental contribution or a purchase contribution for the care bed. The usual co-payment rules apply (10% co-payment plus deductible). Check with your health insurer about the exact conditions before purchasing.

Tip: Some municipalities and organisations such as Pro Senectute or the Red Cross lend care beds free of charge or at favourable rates. Ask there as well.

When buying or renting a care bed, you should consider the following criteria:

Adjustment options

• Electric adjustment: Head section, foot section, and height should be electrically adjustable by remote control. This eases care and gives the care-dependent person more independence
• Manual adjustment: Cheaper but less comfortable and more laborious to operate

Sizes and dimensions

• Standard width: 90 cm or 100 cm
• Standard length: 200 cm (also available in 210 cm or 220 cm)
• Pay attention to the passage width of doors and the available space in the room

Important features

• Side rails: Protect against falling out — should be split and lowerable rails
• Low position: Some beds can be lowered to approximately 25 cm, minimising the risk of falls
• Wheels with brakes: Allow the bed to be moved and securely locked
• Mattress: An anti-decubitus mattress prevents pressure ulcers — especially important for bedridden persons
• Trapeze bar (lifting aid): Helps the care-dependent person to sit up independently
• Maximum load capacity: Pay attention to the weight limit of the bed (standard: 150-200 kg)

A care bed is often a central component of home care. It not only eases daily care but also improves the comfort and safety of the care-dependent person.

For family caregivers, a height-adjustable care bed offers the great advantage of being able to provide care at an ergonomic working height. This protects the back and prevents physical complaints that frequently occur during daily care.

In addition to the care bed, there are other aids that ease home care: patient lifters, wheelchairs, raised toilet seats, or shower chairs. Many of these aids are also co-financed by the health insurer through the MiGeL.