Sleeping well is important for our bodies to rest and repair itself after a full day. However, sleep issues are a global phenomenon, with 10% to 30% of adults around the world suffering from chronic insomnia and 25% of children complaining of sleep problems.
Sleep problems can be more pronounced in the disabled population with at least 40% of them suffering from chronic sleep issues. Safety beds are a handy solution for disabled people and children who are unable to sleep soundly or stay in bed at night.
While safety beds are not recommended to everyone who suffers from sleep issues, the following factors can help you decide if you need one and what to consider when selecting the right safety bed for your needs.
What Are Special Needs ( Safety ) Beds?
Special needs (Safety) beds are enclosed beds with side rails that keep its occupant from climbing or falling out of the bed at night. These rail guards keep the user in and act as grips for climbing in and out of bed.
They may feature edges without gaps to prevent entanglement between the mattress and rails, and bars to provide visibility between the user and caregiver. Certain safety beds may also have easy access ports for tubes and cords that may be required for medical apparatus.
How To Decide if You Need a Safety Bed?
Children, the elderly, and those with mental health issues such as dementia and autism may be prone to night wandering, thereby exposing themselves to danger. Also, those with physical disabilities like RLS (restless legs syndrome), PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder) or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder may fall out of bed during the night due to sudden bodily movements. Such people also need a safety bed to prevent them from falling out of the bed.
Consultation Services for Choosing the Right Product
Choosing the right safety bed can be difficult as there are a lot of elements that need to be considered. Moreover, safety beds are expensive and come in a variety of models. If you choose the wrong one, you may end up with a useless product that is a waste of time, energy, and money.
This is where consulting services come in. Consulting services can help you understand how to choose the right product and how to choose accessories to ensure maximum safety and functionality for your loved one.
The selection and consideration process is important and can save you a lot of grief in the long run. However, a lot of people overlook this aspect only to find that the product they have chosen does not meet their specific needs. Some of the important factors that need to be considered before buying a safety bed are listed below:
Health of the User
If the user has been diagnosed with any illness, disorder, or disability, be it mental or physical, the safety bed should prevent falls, night wandering, as well as entrapment. The right accessories also go a long way in enhancing bed safety.
In case medical equipment is required near the bed to monitor the patient’s health, the safety bed must have access ports so that cords and tubes can be easily connected to the patient.
Perfect choice for children with Autism
Age
You need to consider whether the product is for an adult or a child in order to choose a bed that is the right size in terms of height and length. The bed’s occupant should not only be able to fit in the bed, but should also be able to turn and reposition him or herself with ease. The occupant should also be able to climb in and out of the bed easily.
Activity Level
Another factor that you need to consider is if the user is active or bedbound. If the patient is bedbound or prone to night wanderings, due perhaps to conditions like RLS and PLMD where they may fall out of bed, they need a more secure bed with high rails.
On the other hand, overweight patients who have trouble moving around can benefit from a resilient mattress that’s designed to redistribute pressure and reduce friction.
Incontinence
People suffering from urinary or fecal incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control) tend to fall out of bed and need appropriate safety measures. They also need to get out of bed easily so that they can go to the bathroom.
While the rails and sides should be high enough to prevent falls, it should be easy enough for them to release the side rails so they can get out of bed when needed. When choosing accessories, you may also opt to add an easy to clean mattress overlay and a contoured and comfortable bedpan with adequate capacity for holding liquids.
Seizures
If the user suffers from seizures, he or she may be prone to falling out of bed. The bed should be wide enough so that the person can move in the bed without hurting their body against the sides in case of sudden movements. The safety bed may also be fitted with bed rail pads or side rail pads to prevent such injuries in the event of a seizure.
Swallowing or Feeding-related Issues
If the patient has difficulty swallowing food or there are other feeding-related issues, the safety bed must have access ports to allow tubes and cords to pass through for feeding the patient. The bed may also have to be adjustable so that it can be lowered or raised when needed.
Bed Accessories
Bed accessories such as bed frames and side rails can prevent falls and improve balance when the user sits up or climbs in and out of bed. Choosing the right bed mattress is equally important while buying a safety bed since the mattress needs to be the right size in relation to the bed frame and have useful features for the user..
How Celesticare Can Help You
Finding the right safety bed can be a difficult, time-consuming, and exhausting task. We at Celesticare can make it easier with our vast knowledge and experience regarding hospital beds, special needs beds, medical supplies, scooters, and lifts.
We love talking to our customers and helping them select the right products for their needs. Consult services are free so leave us a message and we’ll be right with you.
Here are samples
Fixed bed
1- Beds By George-Haven Bed
Travel-inflatable bed
2- Safe Place bedding
