Adjustable beds for elderly people are designed to be used in the comfort of your own home, with modern contemporary styling to matching the interior décor of your bedroom.
If you’re considering buying an adjustable bed, you might be wondering if it’s the right choice for you or a loved one who has limited mobility or is elderly or disabled.
Below, we look at the features and benefits of electric beds for elderly or low mobility users.
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What are Electric Adjustable Beds?
Adjustable beds are designed to alleviate general sleep issues like snoring with their adjustable head, middle and foot sections.
Profiling beds are created for more specialised patient care and have more features to facilitate a higher level of care.
You are likely to see profiling beds in hospitals and care home facilities because of this increased care speciality.
Below is a handy table with the main differences between an adjustable bed and an electric profiling bed.
Adjustable Bed or Profiling Bed?
Adjustable beds and electric profiling beds both rest on height adjustable platforms and operate with a ‘rise and fall’ style that can make getting in and out of bed much easier.
Some adjustable bed models come with a feature that allows the bed to raise and lower, making it easier to get in and out of bed without straining your back or legs and reducing the risk of falls.
A profiling bed is a better option than an adjustable bed if:
- You are expecting to provide/receive care in the bed
- Would like/require a larger range of movements
- You require bed rails (not always found on adjustable beds)
- You need wider-ranging height adjustability
- You need to lower to the floor to reduce patient falls risk
- You need to raise bed to carer’s hip height for easier transfers
Height adjustable bed bases & movable bed rails can aid moving and handling tasks and patient transfers for both the patient and carer.
Height adjustable beds can come up to a comfortable level for a carer to provide treatment to a patient.
The sectioned base of a profiling bed offers a wider range of movement options than an electric adjustable bed.
Learn more about profiling beds
Benefits of Adjustable Beds for Elderly and Disabled Users
Adjustable beds for elderly and senior users can provide a number of benefits, including:
Improved Mobility and Independence
Adjustable beds with their increased movement range can help elderly or otherwise low mobility patients maintain independence at home for longer, without the help of carers.
These height adjustable beds assist a reduced mobility or elderly user with getting in and out of bed, and help maintain a person’s mobility over time by making day to day tasks a little easier.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
An electric adjustable bed can be a game-changer for anyone who needs extra support and comfort while sleeping.
With the touch of a button, you can adjust the position of the bed to find the perfect angle for your body, whether you need to elevate your head or legs, or both.
This ‘rise and fall’ backrest motion can be particularly helpful for people who suffer from:
- Acid reflux
- Back pain
- Sleep apnoea
Or simply those who need to sleep in a more upright position due to mobility issues.
The Flyte is our most popular adjustable bed and comes with a homely headboard.
Reduced Pain
The repositioning options in the bed help relieve back pain and nerve pain such as sciatica, keep the body in balance and reducing overall pain levels.
Joint and arthritic pain can also be relieved in this way, taking pressure off sensitive areas of the body.
How to Choose the Best Electric Bed for Seniors and Disabled Users
If you are considering an adjustable bed for the elderly, there are a few things to keep in mind:
The Type of Bed
There are a variety of different types of adjustable beds available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your needs. Some of the most popular types of adjustable beds include:
Fully-electric adjustable beds
These beds have motors that control the movement of the head, foot, and sometimes the legs of the bed. This allows you to customise your sleeping position to find the most comfortable position for you.
Manual adjustable beds
These beds do not have motors, so you will need to manually adjust the head, foot, and legs of the bed. This can be a bit more difficult, but it can also be more affordable.
Reclining beds for elderly
The rise and recline function helps elderly users who struggle to get in and out of bed, by raising them into a sitting position where they can stand up from, and the reverse when getting into bed.
Key Features to Look Out For
Some adjustable beds have more features than others, so it is important to decide which features are important to you. Some of the most common features include:
Head and foot elevation
This allows you to raise or lower the head and foot of the bed, which can help to improve circulation and reduce snoring.
Leg elevation
This allows you to raise the legs of the bed, which can help to reduce swelling in the feet and ankles.
Wall-hugger feature
This allows you to position the bed close to the wall, which can save space in your bedroom.
Double Adjustable Beds
Electric adjustable beds also come in larger sizes, making them ideal for couples.
Double adjustable beds boast all the same benefits and work in the same way as their single counterparts, but with two mattresses instead of one.
Double adjustable beds are available for couples who both want to experience improved sleep comfort.
These couple-friendly beds feature two mattresses that can both be controlled and adjusted individually, meaning that each user can pick their ideal sleeping position for a good night’s sleep.
Controlled with a backlit wireless electric remote, we offer a divan bed that can be supplied as an electric double adjustable bed, it is crafted with premium upholstery ensuring that it will fit into your existing home decor.
Adjustable Beds With ‘No More Snore’ Technology
Reduce snoring and ensure improved sleep with an adjustable bed featuring an intelligently designed neck tilting platform that opens airways and allows for a good night’s sleep.
This same technology also applies to double adjustable beds and can mean one user can take advantage of the ‘no more snore’ technology, allowing both users to have sound sleep.
Do Adjustable Beds Prevent Pressure Sores?
The ‘rise and fall’ movement on electrically-controlled adjustable beds allows for some increased blood flow and redistributes some pressure from traditional high-pressure points where ulcers/sores are likely to develop if a person spends a prolonged period of time in bed.
However, to allow for proper care of pressure ulcers, a profiling bed would be recommended due to its wider range of movements that can aid user circulation as well as make it easier for a carer to provide appropriate wound care to a patient.
Profiling beds are created with a higher level of care in mind and are compatible with pressure relief mattresses.
Pressure Injury Risk
The risk of pressure injuries can be determined by how much time a user expects to spend in bed. The longer the time a user is likely to be in bed, the higher the chance of developing pressure injuries.
For elderly or disabled users who may have reduced mobility, pressure injury risk management becomes important in these instances.
This risk is managed by ensuring that pressure is regularly redistributed by moving and turning a low mobility user while in bed. In care environments, this regular movement is done frequently through manual turning and can be intrusive for patients.
Pressure can build on parts of the body that are in contact with the chair surface quickly.
There is also an increase in moving and handling risk for a carer dealing with a low mobility patient spending long periods of time in bed.
Pressure-relieving Mattresses
If you or the bed user is increased risk of developing pressure injuries because of the prolonged amount of time spent in bed, then an electric profiling bed combined with a specialist pressure relieving mattress is a more fitting option for those needs.
Protect Against Pressure Injuries
These mattresses offer dedicated pressure injury management through castellated foam that ensures pressure doesn’t remain on a particular part of the bed user’s body and reduces the risk of developing an ulcer/sore.
For users at very high risk of developing or exacerbating pressure injuries, an air flow mattress is the ideal option for reducing the effects of skin shear and friction. Read more on the right profiling mattress for you.
Best Adjustable Beds for Seniors and Disabled Customers: Product Recommendations
Overall, an electric adjustable bed is a worthwhile investment for anyone who values their sleep quality and comfort, but it can be particularly beneficial for those with limited mobility or who are elderly or disabled.
With a little research, you can find a model that fits your needs and budget and start enjoying the benefits of a good night’s sleep!
Does A Profiling Bed Better Suit Your Needs?
With a growing interest in care beds for community care, the larger range of movements included in with a profiling bed allow them to be used to care for a larger number of people with more complex conditions.
A Wider Range of Care Needs
Our handy guide on hospital beds for your home takes you through all the main features that you should look for before buying a profiling bed.
Buy an Adjustable Bed From Vivid.Care – Rapid UK Delivery
At Vivid.Care, we have a range of options available for anyone looking to buy an adjustable bed, suitable for individual home use or community-based care & nursing.
Our options range from 3ft single and 4ft adjustable beds to 5ft and 6ft king-size adjustable beds.
If you prefer a more personal touch, visit our mobility showroom based in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, where a mobility expert will provide you with a hands-on demonstration and all the information you need to find the right electric adjustable bed for your needs.
Summary
Adjustable beds can greatly aid with care for disabled, elderly or otherwise low mobility users.
From simply acting as a standing aid that helps getting in and out of bed easier, to providing more specialist pressure injury care and management, electric adjustable care beds are an essential piece of home care equipment.
Electric adjustable beds can be a big investment, but they’re also a great solution for anyone looking to improve their sleep quality and overall well-being because they can offer an elevated level of care when compared to a standard bed.
FAQs
Do adjustable beds help with back pain?
Yes, adjustable beds can help alleviate back pain by allowing users to adjust the position of the bed to support their spine and relieve pressure points. By elevating the head or foot of the bed, users can find a comfortable sleeping position that reduces strain on the lower back. Many models also include features like lumbar support for additional pain relief.
Are reclining beds good for circulation?
Yes, reclining beds can improve circulation by allowing users to elevate their legs or head. Raising the legs can help reduce swelling in the feet and ankles, while a slight incline at the head can enhance blood flow and reduce pressure on the heart. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with circulation issues, such as varicose veins or oedema.
Can an electric bed help with breathing problems like sleep apnea?
Yes, electric adjustable beds can help with breathing issues like sleep apnea. Raising the head of the bed can keep airways open and reduce snoring, making it easier to breathe during sleep. Some adjustable beds even come with specific “anti-snore” settings to enhance airflow and improve sleep quality for individuals with respiratory concerns.
Brian is a university graduate with a particular interest in researching and writing about healthcare topics, including medical conditions, and current NHS issues and solutions. To ensure his articles are relevant and accurate, Brian uses UK government and private sector reports, and draws on a vast network of independent occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals to both inform and verify his work.
