Mobility Info - Canada
Electrical Adjustable Beds
The importance of a comfortable bed that meets the user’s needs cannot be over-emphasized. Being comfortable in bed helps to promote sleep, making other daily activities a lot more manageable. People with mobility problems may experience difficulty getting into bed, getting out or both; they may have trouble turning over, sitting up in bed or just generally getting comfortable. An adjustable bed can help overcome these problems, reducing the risk of accidents, discomfort and pressure sores while encouraging a good night’s sleep. The alteration of the occupant’s position changes their weight distribution, meaning pressure sores are less likely to form.
Variable posture beds have a base consisting of hinged sections under the mattress. These sections can be raised and lowered independently to lift the head, back legs or feet into the desired position. This is known as profiling. Double beds where one or both sides have profiling capability – called combination beds – are available. In such cases the two sides of the bed are either housed in a single frame surround or can be separated to allow access, depending on the model.
The bases of variable posture beds comprise two to five sections. Generally, the more profiling sections the bed has, the more adjustable and comfortable it is. Beds with two sections allow the user to raise the back and head, with the top section becoming a backrest. These beds are sometimes known as sit-up beds, for obvious reasons. The downside of two-section variable posture beds is that the occupant has the tendency to slip down towards the foot of the bed unless the feet can rest against a solid surface. For this reason a three-section bed is preferable. The lower half consists of two sections so the knees can be raised when the backrest is up; this prevents the user from sliding down.
A bed with four sections offers the advantage of keeping the sleeper’s bottom on a horizontal section of the mattress rather than directly over a hinge. One with five sections allows the head and back to be profiled independently.
Variable posture beds are adjusted while the person is on the bed, either electrically or manually. Electrically powered beds are controlled using a handset or remote control; they can be operated by the user of the bed or by a carer. Most are virtually silent during operation. Manually adjusted beds usually require a carer to work the foot-operated gas-assisted mechanism, lever mechanism or winding mechanism. These naturally entail more effort to adjust than powered beds.
The mattress on a variable posture bed can be made from latex or foam or be a sprung mattress. A mattress provided with an adjustable bed will have divisions corresponding to the profiling sections, allowing it to assume the correct profile without bending. Other mattresses can be used, but a rigid one with continuous wire edging will obviously be unsuitable.
Beds used in a domestic situation are smaller and more discreet than the bulky adjustable beds commonly found in hospitals. Nevertheless, the height of some models can be adjusted like hospital beds, again using electric or manual power. Sometimes a standard bed and mattress can be converted into a variable posture bed by the addition of a section mattress platform. This is essentially the hinged base section, often also including a hinged mattress, which can be placed on the base of the regular bed. A handset controls the powered mechanism.
Chair beds are a type of adjustable bed that can be used either as a bed or as a chair, so the user does not need to transfer from one to the other. Some are like variable posture beds that can be profiled to allow the occupant to assume a fully seated position; others more closely resemble recliner chairs that can recline fully to a horizontal position. It is rare to find a chair bed that combines the best of both worlds. They should be seen as a short-term solution or as an option for occasional use, such as when the user or carer really does not have the strength, time or assistance to transfer to a proper bed.
Turning beds are mains powered and turn an immobile occupant from side to side for the purposes of pressure relief. Because of their large size they are not ideal pieces of furniture for most domestic circumstances. They are controlled via a panel at the end of the bed or by means of foot controls. Some feature an automated turning facility that turns the occupant every so often. Tilting beds are those that slope down towards the head or the feet by a few degrees; they are useful for some people with circulation or breathing problems.
People whose mobility problems impact on their ability to get into bed easily or who have trouble standing up on rising might benefit from an adjustable height bed. Such beds are also ideal for those who need to get in and out of bed at different heights – for example, they may need the bed to be low down in order to climb on but need it to be higher to help them stand on exit. An adjustable height bed also makes life easier for carers, who can adjust the equipment to the most comfortable height.
Manually operated adjustable height beds employ a foot pump or winding handle that raises and lowers the bed by means of a hydraulic mechanism. Electric versions can be operated by the occupant as well as by a carer. In this case, a handset with two switches or a single rocker switch is used; however, some models can be activated by remote control or by voice control.
Some adjustable height beds can go extra low (below 25cm). These are especially useful for people at risk of falling out of bed, as the distance to fall is that much less than with a normal bed. In such instances, a padded floor mat can be placed alongside the lowered bed for extra protection in the event of a fall. It is worth noting that there are non-adjustable extra low beds and extra high beds on the market, but an adjustable height bed will be a more versatile solution.
In the same way that some standard beds can be converted into variable posture beds by using a section mattress platform, some can be transformed into an adjustable height bed by the addition of an elevating unit, often called a bed lifter. This typically consists of a mobile unit on castors, with brakes. Placed under the standard bed, it uses a powered mechanism controlled by a handset to raise the furniture to the appropriate height.
Remember that variable posture beds and adjustable height beds are not mutually exclusive; there is usually no problem combining the two facilities in the one bed. Some companies can even make beds to measure for those with particular requirements demanded by their mobility issues, health or environment.
