Living with a disability can be challenging, especially when it comes to daily tasks such as getting in and out of bed. Profiling beds are designed to assist individuals with disabilities and can offer greater independence and comfort.
In this article, we will explore how profiling beds can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. We will discuss the benefits, features, and care bed accessories that can help users with limited mobility or chronic health conditions. Whether you are a person with a disability, a family member, or a carer, learn valuable insights into how profiling beds can make a positive difference in daily life.
At Opera Beds, we’ve helped thousands of people looking to enhance their comfort and quality of life with a profiling bed. If you’d like our team to guide you through the process, we have a range of ways to get started.
Understanding Disabilities
Understanding disabilities is crucial for creating a more inclusive and accommodating society. Disabilities can be physical, mental, visible or hidden, and can affect a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Assistive devices such as profiling beds make everyday tasks easier and can encourage empowerment and quality of life for those with a disability.
Profiling Beds Explained
As their name suggests, profiling beds can profile or adjust their position. They are also commonly known as hospital or care beds and are designed to facilitate care and give proper support.
Why Profiling Beds are Different to Regular Beds
Profiling beds are different from regular beds because they are designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Unlike regular beds, profiling beds offer customised positions and features that can assist in getting in and out of bed, improve circulation, and encourage independence.
Profiling beds are adjustable for individual needs, which makes them ideal for people with limited mobility or specific medical requirements. Regular beds do not offer the same level of support compared to a profiling bed. This can make it uncomfortable for people with a disability, as well as challenging for carers when assisting them.
Features and Functionality of Profiling Beds
As mentioned, profiling care beds offer a range of customised positions by having a profiling mattress platform. This allows the user to find their most comfortable position easily. Here is a list of the most common features of a profiling care bed:
- Backrest adjustment – Users can raise and lower the backrest section of the bed. This provides proper back support and takes pressure away from the spine.
- Leg-rest adjustment – This allows individuals to raise the leg-rest section up and down for comfort and enhances circulation in the lower limbs.
- Height adjustment – This feature allows the whole bed to rise and lower so users or carers can set their preferred height.
- Side rails – For added safety and peace of mind, many profiling beds have side rails to keep users safe and prevent bed falls.
- Knee-break – This feature is designed to prevent individuals from sliding down the bed. The knee brake is located just behind the knees and gives a better profiling position when sitting upright in bed.
Depending on the type of disability or needs of the user, you may wish to consider a profiling bed with more features such as:
- Trendelenburg and Anti-Trendelenburg – These positions are more advanced and should only be applied under the supervision of a medical professional. These positions create an in-bed tilt which is designed to alleviate pressure and compression.
- Ultra-low height/ floor beds – Certain profiling beds lower to the floor which gives a safe sleeping height. Floor beds reduce the risk of injury from bed falls and can be a suitable alternative to side rails, depending on the users’ care needs.
The Benefits of Profiling Beds for People with a Disability
Investing in a profiling bed can make life easier and more comfortable for those with a disability. Profiling beds are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, providing customised positions and features that can assist in getting in and out of bed, improve circulation, and encourage independence.
Personalised Comfort and Adjustability
Being able to change position and be more comfortable is easier in a profiling bed. This adaptability is beneficial for people with physical disabilities who may have limited mobility, muscle weakness or specific postural requirements.
Profiling beds allow you to adjust the head, foot and overall height of the bed to find the best position for comfort and ease of movement. For carers, sitting the user upright by raising the backrest can help with feeding and drinking or administering medication.
Encourages Independence
Relying on someone else to change your position can be reduced when using a profiling bed. Meanwhile, their height adjustment feature allows easier access for getting in and out of bed.
This can be a significant improvement for people with physical disabilities, as it reduces the need for constant assistance and promotes a greater sense of self-reliance.
For people who have a visual disability, profiling beds with side rails or with a fitted grab rail, can act as a guide and somewhere to put their hands when getting in and out of bed. Some profiling beds have a handset with soft-touch buttons. These also help users with reduced mobility or visual impairment.
Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management
People with a physical disability such as a neurological condition, impaired mobility, poor posture or deformity are more likely to develop a pressure sore. This is because they find it difficult to move or change positions regularly.
Profiling beds can help reduce the risk of pressure sore development by:
- Offering a range of adjustable positions
- Reducing the risk of shear and friction
- Enhancing circulation
They are often used in conjunction with pressure care mattresses which include different risk categories depending on the user’s pressure care needs and requirements.
If you’d like help finding the right profiling bed and mattress for you or someone you care for, contact our team today for a free consultation.
Enhancing Daily Living
As well as better comfort and support, profiling beds can positively impact daily life for people with a disability. For instance, watching TV in bed is made more enjoyable and comfortable by elevating the backrest to a proper upright position.
Furthermore, profiling beds can be equipped with accessories like overbed tables, enabling individuals with physical disabilities to perform various daily activities such as eating, reading, or using a computer from the comfort of their bed.
Support Carers
Profiling beds make it easier for caregivers to provide care and assistance to individuals with a physical disability. The adjustable height of the bed simplifies tasks such as dressing, bathing, and changing, reducing the physical strain on carers and improving the overall quality of care provided.
Provide a Safe Sleeping Environment
Profiling beds are designed to provide safety for people with disabilities by incorporating various features to reduce risks and promote a secure and comfortable environment. Profiling beds which have side rails can be beneficial for those with physical disabilities who may have difficulty controlling their movements as they help mitigate the risk of falling out of bed.
Meanwhile, profiling beds with low height adjustment may be suited more to people with a visual impairment as the bed can be lowered much closer to the ground for easier bed access and for preventing falls.
Promote a Better Night’s Sleep
A key benefit of a profiling bed is their ability to find the most comfortable sleeping position. In doing so, they provide a better quality of sleep.
Better sleep not only improves overall well-being but can also help with pain management and muscle relaxation, which is particularly important for people with physical disabilities.
For individuals with a respiratory condition, positioning can affect breathing. Profiling beds can be adjusted to optimise the head and upper body position, facilitating easier breathing and reducing sleep disruptions caused by breathing difficulties.
Real Life Stories
Meet Niall Harris, a 41-year-old mountain bike enthusiast who suffered a life-changing injury in 2020. Following his spinal cord injury, Niall requires around-the-clock care, but his new Opera profiling bed has made a positive impact on his life.
Caroline, one of Niall’s carers, shares her experiences using Niall’s profiling bed. From its pleasing design to helping with his physiotherapy, Caroline explains how Niall’s Opera bed makes life easier for them both.
Summary
Profiling beds offer a range of benefits to individuals with a disability, from improved comfort and safety to increased independence and enhanced daily living. Profiling care beds help to address the specific needs and requirements faced by those with a disability. Their specially designed features contribute to a better, more fulfilling life for people living with a disability, and can enhance the overall quality of care.
How Opera Can Support You or Loved One with a Disability
At Opera Beds, we recognise that purchasing a profiling bed can be daunting, particularly for those buying on behalf of a loved one. We’re committed to making the process simple by offering a thorough 1-1 consultation with an Opera expert.
During your consultation, our team get to fully understand your needs before providing suitable recommendations. This can be by telephone, video appointment or in-person appointment.
Find out more about the people we’ve helped and why we’re rated ‘Excellent’ by our customers.
