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Profiling beds are electrically adjustable care beds designed for elderly or disabled individuals who require additional support and assistance with mobility. These beds allow for adjustments to the height, backrest, and leg rest via a simple handset control, which can be operated by the user or a carer.
Whether you're buying a profiling bed for a care home or for use at home, this guide will help you understand the key features, types, and considerations when selecting the perfect bed to meet your needs.
Key Functions of a Profiling Bed
1. Backrest Adjustment
The backrest section of a profiling bed allows users to sit up or find a comfortable sleeping position. It is particularly useful for:
- Supporting users while eating or reading in bed.
- Easing symptoms of respiratory issues or acid reflux by elevating the upper body.
2. Legrest (Knee-Break) Adjustment
The legrest has two adjustable sections to elevate the user’s knees and feet. This helps:
- Improve circulation.
- Reduce swelling in the legs and feet.
- Relieve pressure on the lower body.
3. Auto-Regression Profiling
This intelligent feature extends the mattress platform during backrest elevation to prevent stomach compression, enhancing comfort and posture.
- Helps reduce stomach compression
- Facilitates easier movement and positioning
Note: this feature is is only available on the Opera Solo Collection.
4. Height Adjustment
The bed’s entire frame can be raised or lowered, making transfers easier for users and carers.
- Lower Heights: For users with limited mobility, this reduces the effort needed to get in and out of bed.
- Higher Heights: Ideal for carers, reducing strain during caregiving tasks like dressing or wound care.
5. Trendelenburg and Anti-Trendelenburg Positions
These features tilt the bed forward or backward, offering additional medical benefits:
- Trendelenburg Position: Assists with fluid drainage and improves circulation.
- Anti-Trendelenburg Position: Enhances comfort and reduces pressure on specific body areas.
Key Considerations When Purchasing a Profiling Bed
Choosing the right profiling bed involves assessing the user's specific needs and the features that will offer the most benefit. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Bed Size Options
- Widths: Opera beds come in various widths, including 2ft6, 3ft, 4ft, and larger options for couples (dual profiling beds).
- Lengths: Standard length is 6ft6*, but for taller users, an extension kit can add an extra 8 inches.
- Room Size: Ensure there is enough space for the bed’s full range of movement, particularly when raised or tilted.
*We advise that you consider that when the backrest of the bed is raised, the user’s feet will be pushed towards the footboard of the bed. For taller users (6ft+), we recommend purchasing an Opera® bed extension kit which includes an extension section of mattress platform and extra long side rails. The extension kit extends the foot-end of the bed by 8in (20cm).
For more information on sizing and dimensions, please view: Dimensions of an Opera® Profiling Bed
Height Ranges
Profiling beds in the Opera range are available with three height options:
- Standard Height (35-80cm): Suitable for most users and provides a comfortable nursing height for carers.
- Low Height (20-65cm): Ideal for users at risk of falling or those who struggle to access a standard-height bed.
- All-In-One Height (15-80cm): Combines the benefits of both standard and low height beds, offering maximum flexibility and safety.
1. Standard height
This is the most common height range found in profiling beds. In its lowest position, the bed is a similar height to a normal divan bed at around 35-45cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform (bed base). When fully raised, the bed reaches a nursing height. This is around 70-80cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform and provides perfect access to the user of the bed for a carer/nurse. A nursing height is the equivalent of a carer’s waist level which means they do not have to bend over to perform nursing tasks such as dressing or washing the patient.
2. Low height
A low height bed can be lowered much closer to the floor than a standard height bed. Typically, low beds in their lowest position are 20-25cm measured from the floor to the top of the mattress platform. This provides a safe sleeping height for users at risk of falling from bed and also eases access for users who struggle to swing their legs into bed. However, this low height means that the height a low bed can be raised to is sacrificed. A low bed in its highest position is around 60-65cm from the floor to the top of the mattress platform, which is not deemed to be a height suitable for in-bed nursing.
3. All-in-one height
Opera have developed beds in the Opera® range that combine the height ranges of low and standard height beds into one extensive height range. This is called an all-in-one height range as the bed can be lowered to the equivalent height of of a low bed (15-25cm) and can be raised right up to a full nursing height (70-80cm). This means that users and carers get the benefits of two height ranges in one bed.
Side Rails and Safety Features
Side rails provide extra safety, preventing users from falling out of bed while sleeping or moving. Opera beds comply with medical standards to ensure maximum safety.
- Full-Length Rails: Provide complete protection along the bed.
- Split Rails: Offer flexibility and make getting in and out of bed easier.
- Compatible Mattresses: Ensure the mattress height complies with safety regulations to maintain the effectiveness of side rails.
All Opera® profiling beds are either supplied with side rails as standard or they are an additional option. Providing the beds are used with a mattress that is no deeper than the specified limit, Opera® bed side rails comply with all measurements and strength tests laid out in the BS EN 60601-2-52:2010 medical beds standard.
Mattress depth capacity
When purchasing a bed with side rails, you need to be aware that the bed will only accommodate mattresses of up to a certain depth for the side rails to be effective. The BS EN 60601-2-52:2010 medical beds standard states that the distance from the top of the mattress to the top of the side rails must be at least 220mm. This means that if you purchase a mattress that is too deep for the bed, the distance from the top of the mattress to the top of the side rails will not be enough.
A typical community profiling bed would accommodate a 6″ deep mattress. This is acceptable for the majority of static/foam mattresses, however air-flow mattresses are 7″-10″ deep and would not be compatible. All Opera® beds accommodate mattresses of up to 8″ deep with some models accommodating mattresses up to 10″ deep.
Take a look at Opera’s Hospital Bed Range
Opera® Range of Profiling Beds
At Opera Beds, we offer three collections of profiling beds, each designed to suit different needs and budgets. These are the Classic, Signature and Solo range.
Opera® Classic Profiling Beds
Two beds styles
Opera® Classic
The Opera® Classic is a practical bed with all functions required for nursing care. The bed is available with an unenclosed head and foot board for a lower cost alternative.
- Height range: Standard (40-80cm)
- Side rails: Included
- Size: 3ft wide
- Mattress depth capacity: 8″
Opera® Classic Low
The Opera® Classic Low is a low height version of the Opera® Classic. All functions and options are the same, it just has a low height range.
- Height range: Low (22-62cm)
- Side rails: Available with or without
- Size: 3ft wide
- Mattress depth capacity: 8″
Opera® Signature Profiling Beds
Five beds styles
Opera® Signature Low Footboard
The Opera® Signature Low Footboard is styled for residential environments with a low, minimalist footboard to provide unrestricted access and sight at the foot-end of the bed.
- Height range: All-in-one (24-73cm)
- Footboard sits lower than the mattress
- Size: 3ft, 3ft6 4ft wide
Opera® Signature Comfort
The Signature Comfort is the ultimate care bed for operators wanting to achieve a homely care environment. The bed has a fully upholstered surround with headboard and fabric options.
- Height range: All-in-one (24-73cm)
- Fully upholstered with a range of headboards
- Available in 3ft, 3ft6 and 4ft
Opera® Solo Profiling Beds
Two beds styles
Opera® Solo Profiling Bed
The Opera® Solo is the ultimate all-in-one nursing and floor bed designed to accommodate advanced care needs of individuals. The Solo features Anti-Trendelenburg tilting and auto-regression profiling to prevent stomach compression and ensure postural comfort.
- Lowers down to 11cm from the floor
- Raises to 73.5cm for nursing care
- Auto-regression profiling
- Suitable for Dementia users
Opera® Solo Comfort Profiling Bed
The Opera® Solo premium profiling bed is the ultimate all-in-one nursing and floor bed designed to accommodate advanced care needs of individuals. The Solo features Anti-Trendelenburg tilting and auto-regression profiling to prevent stomach compression and ensure postural comfort.
- Lowers down to 11cm from the floor
- Raises to 73.5cm for nursing care
- Headboard and fabric options
- Suitable for Dementia users
Key Benefits of Choosing an Opera® Profiling Bed
With over a decade of experience, Opera Beds are well-known across both care homes and in care at home for offering something different from conventional nursing beds.
Why Choose Opera:
1. Enhanced Safety and Compliance
All Opera beds meet BS EN 60601-2-52:2010 medical standards, ensuring safety for both users and carers.
2. Customisation Options
From size to upholstery, Opera beds can be tailored to your specific needs and home environment.
3. Ease of Use
User-friendly handsets and intuitive controls make adjustments simple and effortless.
4. Futureproof Design
With features like side rails and adjustable height ranges, Opera beds adapt to evolving care needs, ensuring long-term value.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Unlike traditional hospital beds, Opera beds are designed to fit seamlessly into home environments, combining functionality with elegance.
How Opera Can Support You
Buying a profiling bed can feel overwhelming, but at Opera, we simplify the process with expert guidance tailored to your needs.
- Consultations: Speak with our team over the phone, via video, or in-person to find the perfect solution.
- Try Before You Buy: Virtual showroom visits allow you to see product demonstrations and ask questions in real time.
- Transparent Pricing: We offer no-pressure consultations and clear pricing to help you make an informed decision.
Invest in Comfort and Care
A profiling bed is more than just a purchase; it’s an investment in comfort, safety, and independence.
For many people, including those with limited mobility, medical conditions are progressive and care needs can become more advanced. At Opera, our team can guide you through choosing the right bed.
Our Signature Comfort Profiling Bed is a popular choice for futureproofing. The bed is customisable with a fully upholstered headboard and surround – perfect for that homely touch. However, if care needs to change in the future, side rails can be added to the bed at any point, should the user need additional safety.
Explore Opera’s full range of profiling beds and find the perfect solution for your needs.
