Adjustable Beds for the Elderly: The Ultimate Guide

You might think that electric adjustable beds are pieces of medical equipment not really designed or suited for your bedroom.

That wouldn’t be the right way to think about modern day electrically controlled adjustable beds for personal use.

You can expect a range of adjustability features that will help that will offer you care the case and adjustability options that you need, while matching the interior décor of your bedroom.

Because adjustable beds are designed with private purchases in mind, they are created with a homely feel that can be used in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re considering buying an adjustable bed, you might be wondering if it’s the right choice for you or a loved one who has limited mobility or is elderly or disabled.

Below, we look at the features and benefits of electric adjustable beds for people with elderly, or low mobility users.

What is an Electric Adjustable Bed?

Firstly, we should get the definitions correct – electric adjustable beds should not be confused with profiling beds.

Adjustable beds are beds designed to make the person using them more comfortable, and alleviate general sleep issues like snoring with their adjustable head, middle and foot sections.

Profiling beds are created for more specialised patient care and have more features to facilitate a higher level of care.

You are likely to see profiling beds in hospitals and care home facilities because of this increased care speciality.

Below is a handy table with the main differences between an adjustable bed and an electric profiling bed.

Adjustable Beds or Mobility Beds?

You may hear adjustable beds referred to as mobility beds, they are seen as a part of the mobility equipment that may be needed to provide care to someone. But which is right?

The answer is both.

This is because of adjustable beds and their increased movement range when compared to a standard bed, which means they can help elderly or otherwise low mobility patients maintain independence at home for longer, without the help of carers.

These height adjustable beds assist a reduced mobility or elderly user with getting in and out of bed and can actually help preserve a person’s mobility over time by making day to day tasks a little easier.

Adjustable Bed vs Profiling Bed?

Adjustable beds and electric profiling beds both rest on height adjustable bed platforms and operate with a ‘rise and fall’ style that can make getting in and out of bed much easier for low mobility to get in and out of bed.

A profiling bed is a better option than an adjustable bed if:

• You are expecting to provide/receive care in the bed
• Would like/require a larger range of movements
• You require bed rails (not always found on adjustable beds)
• Wide ranging height adjustability
• Lower to the floor to reduce patient falls risk
• Raise bed to carer hip for easier transfers

Height adjustable bed bases & movable bed rails can aid moving and handling tasks and patient transfers for both the patient and carer.

The sectioned base of a profiling bed offers a wider range of movement options than an electric adjustable bed.

Who Needs An Electric Adjustable Bed?

An electric adjustable bed can be a game-changer for anyone who needs extra support and comfort while sleeping.

With the touch of a button, you can adjust the position of the bed to find the perfect angle for your body, whether you need to elevate your head or legs, or both.

This ‘rise and fall’ backrest motion can be particularly helpful for people who suffer from:

• Acid reflux
• Back pain
• Sleep apnoea

Or simply those who need to sleep in a more upright position due to mobility issues.

For elderly or disabled individuals who may have difficulty getting in and out of bed, an electric adjustable bed can also make a big difference.

Some adjustable bed models come with a feature that allows the bed to raise and lower, making it easier to get in and out of bed without straining your back or legs and reducing the risk of falls.

This can be especially helpful for caregivers who may need to assist someone in and out of bed. As we age, our bodies change and our needs for sleep change as well.

Adjustable beds can provide a number of benefits for the elderly, including:

If you are considering an adjustable bed for the elderly, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The type of bed – There are a variety of different types of adjustable beds available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your needs. Some of the most popular types of adjustable beds include:
  • Fully-electric adjustable beds – These beds have motors that control the movement of the head, foot, and sometimes the legs of the bed. This allows you to customize your sleeping position to find the most comfortable position for you.
  • Manual adjustable beds – These beds do not have motors, so you will need to manually adjust the head, foot, and legs of the bed. This can be a bit more difficult, but it can also be a bit more affordable.
• The features – Some adjustable beds have more features than others, so it is important to decide which features are important to you. Some of the most common features include:
  • Head and foot elevation – This allows you to raise or lower the head and foot of the bed, which can help to improve circulation and reduce snoring.
  • Leg elevation – This allows you to raise the legs of the bed, which can help to reduce swelling in the feet and ankles.
  • Wall-hugger feature – This allows you to position the bed close to the wall, which can save space in your bedroom.
• The price – Adjustable beds can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, so it is important to set a budget before you start shopping.

Double Adjustable Beds:

Electric adjustable beds also come in larger sizes, making them ideal for couples…further making these beds suitable for your bedroom is it currently is.

Double adjustable beds boast all the same benefits and work in the same way as their single counterparts, but with two mattresses instead of one.

These couple friendly beds feature two mattresses that can both be controlled and adjusted individually, meaning that each user can pick their ideal sleeping position for a good night’s sleep.

Controlled with a backlit wireless electric remote, we offer a divan bed that can be supplied as an electric double adjustable bed, it is crafted with premium upholstery ensuring that it will fit into your existing home décor.

Adjustable Beds With ‘No More Snore’ Technology:

Reduce snoring and ensure improved sleep with an adjustable bed featuring an intelligently designed neck tilting platform that opens airways and allows for a good night’s sleep.

This same technology also applies to double adjustable beds and can mean one user can take advantage of the ‘no more snore’ technology, allowing both users to have sound sleep.

What About Pressure Injuries?

The range of adjustability and patient positioning options that an adjustable bed has just aren’t wide enough to alleviate pressure from certain parts of the body or care for existing pressure injuries.

The ‘rise and fall’ movement, along with an adjustable bed base can raise a user’s upper body to an upright position or raise the lower body and legs by moving the electrically controlled base.

The ‘rise and falling’ movement on electrically controlled adjustable beds allows for some increased blood flow and redistributes some pressure from traditional high-pressure points where ulcers/sores are likely to develop if a person spends a prolonged period of time in bed.

However, to allow for proper care of pressure ulcers/sores, it is recommended that a profiling bed is used due to it’s wider range of movements that can aid user circulation as well as make it easier for a carer to provide appropriate wound care to a patient.

Pressure Injury Risk

The risk of pressure injuries can be determined by how much time a user expects to spend in bed, the longer the time a user is likely to be in bed, the higher the chance of developing pressure injuries.

Elderly or disabled users may have reduced mobility, pressure injury risk management becomes important in these instances.

This risk is managed by ensuring that pressure is regularly distributed by moving and turning a low mobility user while in bed. In care environments, this regular movement is done frequently through manual turning and can be intrusive for patients.

There is also an increase in moving and handling risk for a carer dealing with a low mobility patient spending long periods of time in bed.

I’m at risk of pressure injuries. What should I do?

If you or the bed user is increased risk of developing pressure injuries because of the prolonged periods of time spent in bed, then an electric profiling bed combined with a specialist pressure relieving mattress is a more fitting option for those needs.

These mattresses offer dedicated pressure injury management through castellated foam that ensures pressure doesn’t remain on a particular part of the bed user’s body and reduces the risk of developing an ulcer/sore.

For users at very high risk of developing or exacerbating pressure injuries, an air flow mattress is the ideal option for reducing the effects of skin shear and friction. Read more on the right profiling mattress for you.

Summary:

Adjustable beds can greatly aid with care for disabled, elderly or otherwise low mobility users.

From simply acting as a standing aid that helps getting in and out of bed easier, to providing more specialist pressure injury care and management, electric adjustable care beds are an essential piece of home care equipment.

Are Adjustable Beds Worth It?

Electric adjustable beds can be a big investment, but they’re also a great solution for anyone looking to improve their sleep quality and overall well-being because they can offer an elevated level of care when compared to a standard bed.

Overall, an electric adjustable bed is a worthwhile investment for anyone who values their sleep quality and comfort, but it can be particularly beneficial for those with limited mobility or who are elderly or disabled.

With a little research, you can find a model that fits your needs and budget and start enjoying the benefits of a good night’s sleep!

Does A Profiling Bed Better Suit Your Needs?

With recent announcements and a growing interest in care beds for community care, the larger range of movements included in with a profiling bed allow them to be used to care for a larger number of people with more complex conditions.

Our handy guide on hospital beds for your home takes you through all the main features that you should look for before buying a profiling bed.

Buy an Adjustable Bed From Vivid.Care | Rapid UK Delivery

At Vivid.Care, we have a range of options available for anyone looking to buy an adjustable bed. Suitable for individual home use or community-based care & nursing.

Buy everything from a 3ft single and 4ft adjustable beds to 5ft and 6ft king size adjustable beds.

If you prefer a more personal touch, visit our mobility shop based in Harrogate, Yorkshire, where our mobility expert can provide you with a hands on demonstration and all the information you need to find the appropriate electric adjustable bed to meet your medical needs at home.

Or you may shop online for express UK wide delivery of electric adjustable beds and profiling beds.