Bed extension

[PeterPan]

I had no idea that you could have an extension piece fitted to an Invacare hospital bed to add about 10 inches to its length (also a fill in extra piece of mattress at the foot end). Recently it was mentioned in passing by an OT specialist from the environmental controls team.

Hertfordshire Equipment Service delivered and fitted an extension to my bed this morning. It took about 5 minutes.

I’m just under 6 feet tall and previously my feet were jammed against the footboard. Very uncomfortable. Now perfect.

This has probably been covered before, but I thought it would be worth mentioning.

[matthew55]

I could use one

[PeterPan]

I could use one

Community OT person organised it for me, Matthew

[Ellie]

I've mentioned lengthening beds a few times, including to the man himself, matthew55 🤭

Many hospital beds have a built in ability to lengthen the bed frame or, if they don't, as Peter did, ask your OT for an insert.

My bed has an extendable frame, very handy. xx

[Piglet]

PeterPan Mmm il check my husbands bed see if it extends if not will as O T. My husband is 6ft and his feet are touching the end..Thanks.x

[Piglet]

PeterPan re extended bed. The bed my husband has got is being extended next week and a longer mattress is being delivered. What have you done regarding the size of the bottom sheet. I’ve looked at longer fitted sheets but can only find those the at are 3 inches longer not 10 inches! X

[PeterPan]

PeterPan What have you done regarding the size of the bottom sheet. I’ve looked at longer fitted sheets but can only find those the at are 3 inches longer not 10 inches! X

Good news about the bed! I didn’t get a new mattress. I was given a ‘mattress extension’ the same length as the bed extension that goes at the foot of the bed. It means you can use the original sheets. My feet do extend onto the mattress extension- you could wrap it in sheeting but we haven’t found it necessary so far. I’d suggest you wait and see what you are given because you may get the same thing as me.

[Ellie]

I’ve looked at longer fitted sheets but can only find those the at are 3 inches longer not 10 inches!

Does it have to be a fitted sheet Piglet ? There are definitely longer length flat sheets on the market.

I've never slept on a long mattress but, whenever I've slept in an extended bed, it had an insert piece at the foot of the bed, rather than a longer mattress, and it was covered by a second sheet or left bare as I didn't need to use it (in the hospice) but longer length flat sheets would cover it, if needed.

[JamesW]

My air mattress extension goes at the top so that I don’t get sore heels 🤔….. I guess it doesn’t matter so much with a normal mattress?

[Ellie]

My air mattress extension goes at the top so that I don’t get sore heels 🤔…

FOMO 😉😍😁 You have an air mattress extension !!! Is it static or the full alternating monty? 😘

(Not that I need an extension...)

[JamesW]

Ellie It’s a static insert which is why it goes under my pillow and not under my heels I guess 👍

….shame as I quite like the idea of a teeny tiny little air mattress 😂😂😂

[Tabbycat]

My air mattress extension goes at the top so that I don’t get sore heels 🤔….. I guess it doesn’t matter so much with a normal mattress?

I also thought they went at the head end as you don't need pressure relief under the pillow area, but you do under your heels 🤔

[Piglet]

PeterPan and Ellie. I rang O T to ask about mattress and it’s not a new mattress it’s exactly as you said it’s a extra part to the mattress he has got. So thanks for that. I was worrying about getting a fitted sheet to fit but on reflection could have bought flat sheets as Ellie mentioned. Thanks to both of you xx

[Ellie]

Tabbycat It depends on the type of mattress the user sleeps on - if it's a standard/non pressure relief mattress, the insert block can go at the feet.

My alternating air matress, for example, has a static part under my head, so it couldn't be moved down the bed and an insert slotted under my head.

JamesW I presume your alternating air mattress has alternating air cells from head to toe 🤔

[JamesW]

JamesW I presume your alternating air mattress has alternating air cells from head to toe 🤔

Yes 👍….. apart from a fairly substantial border section all the way around