Elderly, disabled, or otherwise low mobility people may want a hospital style bed at home to aid with their recovery while remaining in comfortable surroundings.
A profiling bed provides the features of a hospital bed at home for individuals who may need extra support when resting.
In the UK, most hospital beds are standard hydraulic beds with a flat base and pull-out backrest – they are usually operated by foot pump.
Not to be confused with these adjustable hydraulic beds, profiling beds boast more flexibility that standard adjustable beds.
Shop for electric profiling beds here – Read on for more information on these reclining style beds for elderly, disabled or otherwise low mobility users
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What is an Electric Profiling Bed?
Electric profiling beds are beds that are split into sections that can be manually or electronically moved and adjusted to suit the user’s needs.
They come in many different shapes and sizes and vary depending on who the bed is for.
Profiling beds are great for use at home, offering excellent support in the comfort of your own bedroom. They’re available in single or double sizes to suit couples.
Some double profiling beds may provide independent positioning options down each side to suit different users’ needs. There are a number of features that can be included on a profiling bed to make it as comfortable and supportive as possible for the individual.
Profiling bed vs Adjustable Bed – The Differences
A profiling bed shouldn’t be confused with an adjustable bed which allows you to raise and lower different parts of the bed frame.
The main difference between profiling beds and adjustable beds is the range of positions the beds can be moved into.
Adjustable beds can be moved into a few different positions. Compare that with profiling beds, on the other hand, which are designed to offer a higher level of care and feature a wider range of unique position combinations to support bedridden patients in a care/nursing home environment.
These height adjustable beds can act as a type of electric rise and recline sit to stand aid bed for the elderly, disabled or mobility limited.
These rising beds can assist with getting in and out of bed; lowering a bed frame can make it easier to climb in, while raising the head section can help with upright positioning.
Both adjustable and profiling beds do aid those with limited mobility in maintaining their independence.
Profiling Beds — A Hospital Style Bed at Home
Profiling beds are great for use at home, while they have similarities with adjustable beds, profiling beds stand on their own through their specialised focus.
This specialised focus is why they are often seen in hospitals, as they have the adjustability feature as well as more care-based features. Profiling care beds can be used in an individual’s home or in a care setting.
These care beds also rest on lockable wheels, allowing them to be moved around hospital wards as required to transport patients.
Offering excellent support in the comfort of your own bedroom, these hospital style beds come in single sizes, or you can buy profiling beds double sizes to suit couples.
Some double profiling beds may provide independent positioning options down each side to suit different users’ needs. There are several features that can be included on a profiling bed to make it as comfortable and supportive as possible for the individual.
Essential Features
People buying a profiling bed are usually doing so with a specific need in mind. So, there are certain features that a care bed must have.
Essential features are necessary for achieving the problem, by creating a solution that is always included in the basic features of the product offered.
Adjustable Backrest
One of the signature features of a profiling bed is an adjustable backrest. This allows you to sit up in bed to read or interact more comfortably.
Some profiling beds feature auto-regression backrest actions; this moves and positions the backrest, so the mattress doesn’t slide down the bed.
Having an elevated backrest can also be extremely beneficial to people with respiratory problems or difficulties.
Knee Brake
Sitting just behind the knees, the knee brake can be raised to prevent the user from sliding down the bed. It also allows a more natural profiling position when the individual is sat up.
Additionally, adjusting the knee brake can help increase circulation to the lower legs.
Height-Adjustment
Height adjustment is also a handy thing to have on an electric profiling bed. By having a flexible height, the bed can facilitate smoother transfers by allowing the user or carer to dictate how low the platform should be when they’re getting on to and off the bed.
This feature also suits people who are at high risk of falling. It also the profiling bed to be lowered down to the floor at night. That way, if someone were to fall out of bed, they are much less likely to injure themselves.
Of course, you should always take precautions to stop someone falling out of bed. Siderails and positioning supports are both popular choices. But it is still useful to be prepared in case a fall does happen.
Our profiling bed options boast a wide range of safety features and adjustments, giving you all the flexibility of a hospital bed at home…without compromising on style!
Other Features To look For in a Profiling Bed
Although most profiling beds are electric, it is possible to get one that has manual adjustments. This means that the user or carer must manually change the angle of the leg section using a ratchet system.
Profiling beds can include a range of other features as well depending on the needs of the user.
Trendelenburg & Anti-Trendelenburg
More advanced positioning options that may be included are the Trendelenburg and Anti-Trendelenburg features. These help to alleviate pressure build-ups, but they should only be used under medical supervision.
Fowler (Chair) Function
Other beds may include the Fowler, or Chair position, which adjusts the bed to a seated position where the legs are below the horizontal.
Rastofix
A bracket that allows manual adjustment of the leg section of the bed, this feature provides legrest elevation when required. It’s often on a ratchet system so is usually operated by the carer.
Side Rails & Grab Rails
Also known as Cotsides, side rails prevent the user from falling out of bed. They run alongside both sides of the bed and additional bed bumpers (foam covered in wipeable material) can be fitted if necessary to prevent client injury.
Take a look at our bedside grab rails and see what balance aid is right for you.
Combination Beds
As mentioned above, combination beds are split down the middle to offer independent adjustments to both people. This is great for couples who are both needing the benefits of a profiling bed but wish to determine their own positioning options separate from their partner’s.
A combination profiling bed still looks like a standard model, but it contains two separate platform systems and mattresses. This is particularly useful for caregivers who may need to split the beds up for better access to just one person.
Summary
A profiling bed is essentially a hospital style bed for your home with a separated base that allows parts of the bed to be controlled independently to one another, allowing the user to find the ideal position for them.
Electric profiling beds provide all the features that hospital staff and patients may need, in comfortable surroundings.
The features outlined above are some of the most common elements of a typical electric profiling bed, but they can truly be adapted to suit anyone’s needs and level of mobility.
Browse our range of adjustable profiling beds for sale, with quick dispatch and delivery throughout the UK, you can quickly experience the features of an electric profiling bed for yourself.
If you have any unanswered questions on profiling beds, please get in touch with our experienced team!
Graeme has worked alongside the public sector for much of his working life, helping departments improve efficiencies and deliver on projects. In his role at Vivid.Care, Graeme used his experience to tackle some of the most challenging issues in the healthcare sector, from falls through to winter pressures. He was also a guest speaker and a number of different conferences, including at the Falls Prevention Summit in London.
