Equipment Information for Beds

Having the right type and style of bed and accessories is important as some people may spend a lot of time in bed. When choosing a bed its as well to keep the carer in mind as well as the user!

Staff at Disabled Living aim to help and give advice on products and equipment that may help make daily living both easier and safer.

The equipment centre staff have extensive knowledge of national and local suppliers of equipment and can offer practical advice and details of where to get most disability products.

Disabled Living has on loan from companies, 100's of different types of disability equipment.

If you wish to try the equipment and to speak at length with an Occupational Therapist about equipment suitable for your needs please telephone Disabled Living for an appointment on:

08707 601580

Or email a member of the Equipment Centre staff at: Karen.Martin@disabledliving.co.uk

In order for staff to give you the right information please include in your email the area where you live or work.

Types of Beds
Sometimes people are confused by the terminology (names) given to different beds and this does not always help give a clear indication of what a bed does. Here at Disabled Living we refer to beds as follows:

Divan Beds
Are usually beds with non moving parts and can be purchased from any high street bed retailer.

Profiling Beds
Also referred to as Variable Posture beds. These beds have either 3 or 4 moving sections in the base. They are electrically operated via a hand control and have the functions of raising the person into a sitting position or raising the legs.

Variable Height Beds
Also know as height Adjustable beds. These beds may have a profiling action but their main feature is that the bed will raise or lower in order for a carer to attend a user without bending, or to enable the user to be positioned near to the floor so they can get off the bed easier. Hospital Beds refer to the type of bed used in hospitals. The main feature will be a back rest that is attached to the bed frame itself.

Bed Accessories
Pillow lifters-used under the pillow to lift a person into a sitting position.
Mattress Variators-used under the mattress to lift a person into a sitting position.
Bed Rails (the correct term for cot sides) used to prevent falling from bed.
Bed Wedges-various types and styles-used to support or secure a person in bed.
Bed Levers-used to help someone get up or out of bed.
Rope Ladder-used to help a person into a sitting position.
Bed Elevators or Jacks - used to lift the whole bed at a time, to change casters etc.
Monkey Pole-bed attached, wall fixed or free standing and used by people with good upper body strength to help when sitting up in bed.
Leg Lifters-used by someone to raise their legs to mattress height so they can slide their legs into bed easily.
Bed cradles-used to keep covers off a persons body.
Bed Raiser-used to raise a normal bed to a static height.
Pressure Care Mattresses:
For more pressure care information please go to the section on Pressure Care.

Bed Alarms:
These products are used for people who may be at risk of falling and will alert carers and staff or family members when someone rises from the bed.

Bed Protectors:
Absorbent bed protectors for people who have continence issues. For more information on continence products go to the PromoCon website.

Bear in Mind
Any equipment used must be suitable and safe for the person to use. Everyone will have different requirements and needs, so what may suit one person may be of little or no use to someone else. Also, think about the possibility of using a ceiling track hoist or other free standing hoist equipment to help with bathing and toileting needs.

Where to get Equipment from
There are now many high street shops that sell a vast range of equipment. BUT could you be buying something you are entitled to get from either the NHS or Local Social Services? The offer of equipment from these services is limited. SO if you are in hospital ask to see the hospital Occupational Therapist, if you are at home,contact your local Town Hall for your nearest Social Services Department and if you are in residential care ask the Care Manager.

Second-hand Equipment.
Almost all equipment can be bought second-hand. This is a good way of saving money if the equipment is in good working order and is a fraction of the cost new. BUT, do be aware that second-hand goods will have a shorter life-span than new products. Also that warranties will probably have run out or may not be transferable to another owner.

ALWAYS CHECK
The second-hand goods you are buying are in a good state of repair
Check no removable parts are missing
Ask for the original instructions
Ask to see the equipment working
Ask about any contacts the seller may have that could service or repair the
equipment

BUT perhaps most important of all-don't buy something because it's cheap; buy it because it is safe and suitable for you to use.

Disabled Living advise that people obtain guidance from an Occupational Therapist or other such healthcare professional before purchasing disability equipment.

WiseBuy

Disabled Living WiseBuy leaflets offer practical help on disability equipment. To access the leaflet relating to this page click on the link below (the wisebuy leaflet can be opened using the latest version of Adobe Reader which is available free from the adobe web site).

Meet the Companies

Genie Care Ltd
Unit T6, Rudford Industrial Estate
Ford, Arundel
West Sussex BN18 0BF

Geniecare specialise in safety and care in beds for children, adults, elderly and heavier clients. Products include bathing, safesides, sleep low, bariatric and nursing beds.

Sleepbetta Direct Ltd
1 Lord Byron Square, Stowell Technical Park,
Eccles New Road,
Salford M50 2XH

Tel: 0800 614 267
Email: info@sleepbetta.co.uk Web: www.sleepbetta.co.uk

Manufacturers and direct suppliers to the public of 'Hospital Type' domestic caring, height adjustable beds and other top quality adjustable beds and automatic chairs.