The Essential Guide to Choosing an Electric Adjustable Care Bed

Why the Right Bed Matters

We spend around one third of our lives in bed, and yet we tend to neglect to optimise our comfort in the bedroom until much later in life.

For most people, it is only when more severe mobility issues arise, or we need to endure a lengthy post-op recovery, that we start to look at ways to make it easier to get into and out of bed.

Standard beds, even with some adaptations such as a handy step or bed guard, are not enough when you need some physical support.

Types of Adjustable bed: Adjustable vs. Profiling

There are two types of electric adjustable bed, although they are in fact very similar:

• Electric Adjustable Beds: These are designed to look and feel more like a traditional bed, but come with adjustable back and foot. They are ideal for those who want to sit up to read or need a slight lift for circulation. They can also aid with sleep apnoea.
• Profiling Care Beds: These are also known as hospital beds and are more focused on clinical needs and care. They have features like drop-down sides (cotsides), hoist clearance, and "anti-slide" mechanisms for those with higher dependency or carer requirements. Some also lift up and down, to provide easier transfers and care - for example, it is easier to give a bed bath on a raised bed.

Read our occupational therapist’s guide to adjustable and profiling beds.

Key Features to Look For

• Electrical Raising Functions: If you are looking for comfort, such as when reading in bed, or are living with respiratory conditions such as sleep apnoea, then you want to be able to control the backrest. Also, raising the legs is essential if you have circulation or swelling in the legs.
• Height-Adjustable Bases (Hi-Lo): These are crucial for safe transfers. Raising the whole bed helps carers avoid back strain, while lowering it helps the user get into and out of a wheelchair.

Shared Comfort: Less Sleep Disturbance

A common worry of couples is how an adjustable bed will work for two people.

The easiest approach is to have two singles beds joined together, so one person can sleep flat while the other sits up, ensuring nobody’s sleep is compromised.

Combining this with separate sheets and duvets also provides less disturbed sleep.

Sizing and Logistics

Adjustable beds cover all size options, from small singles at 2ft6, which are preferred when putting two together, to standard 3ft singles, small doubles which are good for larger people, and standard doubles and even king-sizes.

• Mobility: Sometimes you might need to move the bed itself, which products such as the Classic Profiling Bed allow - the bed is on castors. While these are more likely to be used in hospital care settings, this can be useful in the home by allowing a bed to be moved away from a wall to give access to both sides, for instance.

The Foundation of Sleep: Choosing the Right Mattress

A good mattress is one that is comfortable and supportive for you. Years ago we were told that firmer mattresses were better for posture and health, but this rule has been overturned in recent years.

Many people sleep better on softer mattresses, and if a mattress is too firm it does not allow your body to rest in a natural position. The most important feature of a mattress for an adjustable bed is that it can easily bend when the bed is adjusted - an old-fashioned extra firm mattress will always try to straighten out, and is not the best choice.

Specialist Options: Mattresses come in various styles for specific types of support.

• Orthopaedic mattresses provide the best joint and back support.
• Anti-Allergy mattresses are essential for those with respiratory health conditions.
• Pressure Relief (Risk Mattresses): Varying grades of foam are used to prevent pressure sores for those spending long periods in bed - if you’re bed-bound this type of mattress is invaluable.

Safety and Independence

• Drop-Down Sides: Falls are one of the biggest risks for elderly people, and this includes falling out of bed. If somebody is prone to falling from a bed, a bed guard rail is essential. Of course, they need to be easily removed to allow side-transfers into and out of the bed.
• Easy-to-Use Handsets: For independence, every part of the bed should be controlled by an easy to operate handset.

Making the Right Investment

An adjustable bed is an investment in the quality of life. The fact that many people without mobility problems are buying adjustable beds is testament to this. With almost 50% of all Brits having a TV in their bedroom, and the increase in use of laptops, tablets and mobile phones in bed, more people are looking for beds with raised backs.

To discover how an adjustable bed can give you some independence in the bedroom back, and improve your comfort and enjoyment of the time you spend in bed, visit one of our showrooms, or shop our Electric Adjustable Beds.