Adjustable Beds: Who They Suit and What to Check

HEALTH · GLOBAL

Adjustable Beds: Who They Suit and What to Check

Medical reasons, mechanisms, entrapment safety and living with one

Adjustable beds are bought for comfort and for specific medical reasons, and the two lead to different choices. There are also safety considerations that do not apply to an ordinary bed.

Where they genuinely help

Raising the head helps with acid reflux, some breathing difficulties and swelling, and raising the legs helps with oedema and circulation. Getting in and out is easier when the bed can rise.

For reflux specifically, raising the head of the whole bed is what the evidence supports rather than piling up pillows, which bends the middle and can make it worse.

Ask a professional first

An occupational therapist or physiotherapist can assess what someone actually needs, and in many countries equipment is provided or grant-funded after an assessment.

That advice is free and frequently changes the specification, particularly for anyone with reduced mobility or at risk of pressure sores.

Entrapment is a real risk

Adjustable and profiling beds have moving parts and gaps that can trap a head, neck or limb, which has caused serious injuries and deaths, particularly with side rails fitted.

Side rails must be correctly matched to the bed and mattress with no gaps, and should only be used where a proper risk assessment supports them. Keep the handset out of reach of anyone confused.

The mattress must suit

An ordinary sprung mattress will not flex. Adjustable beds need a mattress designed to bend — usually foam, latex or a pocket-sprung mattress specified for the purpose.

Practical checks

Check what happens in a power cut, since most have a battery backup that lowers the bed. Check the noise, the weight limit and whether it needs assembling in the room.

Dual beds with separate sides suit couples with different needs.

Trying before buying

Spend real time on any bed before committing, lying in it in the positions you would actually sleep and sitting up in it. Showroom visits at home are offered by many suppliers.

Beware of high-pressure selling, which is common in this sector. Take the information away and decide later.

Cost and funding

Ask about VAT relief, which applies in the UK to equipment bought for a chronic condition or disability. Grants and equipment loans are available through health and social care services in many countries.

Looking after one

Keep the mechanism clear of bedding and cables, check the handset lead for damage, and do not exceed the stated weight limit. Have anything electrical serviced as the manufacturer specifies.

Keep a torch and a phone within reach of the bed.

Access

Measure doorways, stairs and turns, since these are heavy and frequently arrive in sections.

WHERE TO BUY

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