Recent developments in assistive beds have excited the interest of many site visitors.

Beds that rotate into a chair shape that helps the occupant go from lying down to sitting up and vice versa, without needing help from a carer, can make a big difference to independence.

As local authority budgets are squeezed in the face of increasing demand, the relative cost of assistive equipment versus twice daily home care visits, becomes a powerful consideration.

Although the beds cost several thousand pounds apiece, they have been calculated to pay for themselves in a matter of weeks. They are also available on a rental basis.

Nexus DMS launched the Rota-Pro-Bario, the first bariatric version, towards the end of last year, with a safe working load of 41 stone (260 kg), and an extra 20 cm width.

Theraposture's Rotoflex range now includes both a bariatric and low-level access version (shown here), which is ideal for users of small stature and those requiring low seating height.

 

Drive Medical's Casa Nuova 4 is a four section profiling bed made from steel tubing, and designed to be robust and long-lasting for use in the community

Sidhil's new generation Solite Pro, shown here, is a development of their popular Solite community bed range: high quality, UK-manufactured electrically profiling beds with electric back rest and knee break function and variable height control. They now have the option of integral full length side rails.

 

Snug positioning pillows from Win Health, shown here, are uniquely shaped cushions that help to secure body positioning and provide reassuring support and a feeling of safety and wellbeing. They can improve users’ own body awareness, increase security and stability, for greater perception of surroundings, better communication and faster rehabilitation.

Benmor Medical's levate pillow lift is an easy-to-use and popular aid to comfort in bed, which is currently on special offer. A handset allows the user to adjust the angle of the support at the touch of a button, from 8° to 60°, to find the best position for reading, eating or watching TV.

Able2’s Harley range includes a wedge-shaped Bed Relaxer, which can be used upright for sitting up, or under the pillow, for people who find it uncomfortable to sleep lying flat. There is also a Batwing Pillow, which is specially shaped into three sections for snug support.

 

Able2's EZ Adjust bed rail, shown here, is unique in that it can be adjusted in length after installation. The dual function rail can help keep the occupant from falling, and also act as a support bar to aid them getting in and out of bed. It adjusts from 26″ to 34″ to 42″ at the push of a button. 

Easylink UK's range of bed-leaving alerts includes wireless systems which require no cabling connections between sensor, transmitter and alarm receiver unit. The bed and chair sensors have a specially moulded pocket that stores a miniature transmitter. When positioned under the mattress or chair cushion, there are no visible signs to tempt vandalism or tampering. They also have units which allow you to record a short voice message.

Drive Medical's range of bed safety accessories includes side wedges, as an alternative to bed rails, and a clever M-shaped rail which assists with getting in and out of bed, as well as moving from lying down to sitting up.

Sidhil's Bradshaw Junior profiling bed is a paediatric care bed with all the functions you would expect from a nursing bed, but within a compact and colourfully-styled frame.

This new bed has a sturdy 28 stone (180 kg) weight limit, allowing a parent to sit or lie by their child safely.

Kinderkey's CosySafe Cot (shown here) is individually customised to meet the user's needs.You can read a case study showing how it helps a 3-year-old girl, who has Trisomy 18/Edwards syndrome, to get a good night's sleep without injuring herself. As she has seizures, her parents also need to be able to open the cot quickly to give her attention.  

 

For people who find it difficult to operate pendant call buttons due to poor dexterity, Medpage (Easylink UK) has adapted switches that are easy to press, such as the Jelly switch, shown here. Minimal pressure is required to activate it. For people with cognitive problems, the switch cover can be unscrewed to allow a graphic or photo to be placed under the clear plastic switch cover.

Easylink UK's soft touch pillow switch provides further flexibility and functionality and can be activated by a severely disabled person lightly touching the switch with their cheek or head. Special adaptations are also available using this switch for lighting control, electrical appliance control, TV remote controls and much more. 

 

I would be pleased to hear your views about our product round-up. There are various ways you can get in touch: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

If you are reading a copy of this monthly IL Product Focus that has been passed on to you by a colleague or friend, why not sign up for your own free subscription – it's quick and easy, and won't lead to your inbox being bombarded with other stuff!

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach Independent Living site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

Until next time, when we will be looking at seating,

All good wishes,

Frances