When you are young or healthy, it can be nice to sit in bed for a short time to read a book or sit and watch television. However, if you are older or have a health condition then you may spend more time in bed and it no longer feels like a leisure activity. In a situation like this, you may benefit from a profiling bed.
A profiling bed is different from the standard adjustable bed that you will find at a typical bed retailer because it is designed for medical applications such as supporting breathing or helping to relieve pressure on joints.
If you thought that profiling beds just made sitting in bed more comfortable, then read on to find out more about how to use a profiling bed properly.
The purpose of profiling beds is to not only help patients be more comfortable in bed but to also support a person with their posture, keep them safe from falls or help others attend to their medical needs.
Some beds can be manually adjusted, but most prefer electric profiling beds as they can be easily operated by the user. Using a simple handset with large buttons, an electric profiling bed enables the user to lift or lower the head end of the bed or they can lift or lower the foot of the bed.
In addition, the bed can be raised higher if needed for medical attention or lowered to prevent falls for the person using the bed. This feature is also beneficial for care staff as it reduces the need to bend over the bed when changing bed sheets or when performing care duties.
Unfortunately, no you can’t use your typical sprung mattress on a profiling bed. This is because they aren’t flexible enough to handle the angles that the bed can move into. In addition to this, when looking for a profiling bed mattress, consider products that offer the appropriate support if the person using the bed is vulnerable to pressure sores.
Anyone with medical conditions can benefit from a profiling bed. For example, people with long-term breathing conditions may find that laying flat can make normal breathing difficult and so prefer a profiling bed where they can sleep in a slightly sat-up position.
Someone with mobility or joint issues may also appreciate a profiling bed because it can reduce the pressure they experience in those areas by offering better support.
By the same token, people who are at high risk of pressure sores may benefit. They are great generally for people who need more support with getting out of bed safely, for example, being able to lower the bed so that it is closer to the floor or raise the head of the bed to make it easier to get out independently. Some people with degenerative medical conditions purchase profiling beds in anticipation of their changing needs.
Many users of profiling beds set it in what is known as Fowler’s position. This is where the person sits with the head of the bed sat up at a 45-60 degree angle and their legs are either stretched out straight or bent slightly at the knee. This position puts less strain on the abdominal area, promotes a better ability to breathe and reduces the risk of food aspiration during meal times or when a feeding tube is in use.
A patient can also sit in a ‘high Fowler’ position which is where they are sat upright at a 90-degree angle or what is called ‘semi Fowler’ where the top section of the bed is between 30 and 45 degrees.
You can also keep the head of the bed flat and just raise the foot of the bed which can assist with improving blood pressure or alleviate certain types of back pain.
The zero-gravity position is when the head of the bed is sat up ever so slightly and the feet are slightly raised too. This position has multiple benefits such as assisting with better breathing, back support and digestive discomfort as well as improved blood flow around the body.
Some beds come with the ability to be put into the Trendelenburg or Anti-Trendelenburg positions but this should be used with expert guidance, and nobody should be put into either position for an extended time.
It is important to choose the right profiling bed for your needs. After all, there is nothing quite like a good night’s sleep and feeling safe and comfortable in your bed. For example, if you are buying a bed to be more independent, then a manually operated bed may not be suitable, even if it is sold at a lower price.
If you are concerned about preventing potential falls when getting out of bed then an electric profiling bed may be more suitable than a standard adjustable bed because it can be raised and lowered as you require. Some beds can be lowered right down to the floor!
At Complete Care Shop, we recommend reading our Guide To Profiling Beds as a great starting point when considering what you need from a profiling bed. Take a look at our range of profiling beds that come with VAT relief for people who are chronically sick or disabled.
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