Profiling bed

[Valley]

The OT who visits has recommended a profiling bed for my husband. Our house is small and we would need to get rid of our bed in order to have the profiling bed in our bedroom. Has anyone tried using a Sit-u-up pillow from a mobility company that would work on a regular double bed? We wondered if this could be an option or would we just be wasting our money when for the future a profiling bed would be best. We will ask this question of the OT as well.

[DeeH]

It's difficult. The reason we benefit most from the profiling hospital is the rising height feature but we do use the back rest as husband can't lie flat anymore.

We had to get rid of the bed and have the hospital bed plus a single for me.

It is sad and also difficult to know what the future will bring, for future proofing.

[Ellie]

The OT who visits has recommended a profiling bed for my husband.

Did the OT specify why your husband should get a profiling bed - is it just to raise his head?

There is more to a profiling bed than the head raise and, as Donna says, the fact that the bed height can be raised and lowered, can make a huge difference to you both for getting in and out of the bed and also allows for a better working height for carers, albeit not necessarily a current consideration for either of you, manual handling work needs all the help it can get. The leg raise can be very useful too, as is the access-all-sides that a single bed gives.

Has anyone tried using a Sit-u-up pillow from a mobility company that would work on a regular double bed? We wondered if this could be an option ...

A forum member (Tony) recently posted that Social Services had supplied him with a Mangar Handy Pillowlift, same cost as the Mangar Sit-u-Up Pillowlift, so that's worth exploring.

If the OT's only reasoning for a profiling bed is for the head raise, here's my take on the Pillowlifts:

- they are a niche product but, if the suit a person's needs, then yippee, a perfect solution.
- look closely at the videos: does your husband have any back/shoulder pain? That the pillow extends down one's back may be an issue.
- is he at risk from pressure sores?
- is he able to turn over in bed?
- if his mobility becomes an issue, the other benefits to having a profiling bed can't be ignored.
- if you find yourself spending more time bending down helping your husband, your back will thank you.
- if he gets paid carers, they cannot be expected to/will not work with equipment which may cause manual handling injuries.

If you did want to/need to buy one, maybe you could get a (partial) grant from the MNDA. xx

[Valley]

Many thanks Ellie and DeeH for your input on the profiling bed. You both have answered my question well. Sadly as my husband is quite a way down the MND road it looks like the profiling bed is what he is going to get the most benefit from plus for myself the Carer I think it would make a huge difference. The OT was in a gentle but honest way pushing for us to go the profiling bed way so that she can start that ball rolling, which will take time to arrange. Best Wishes to you both. xx

[JamesW]

If the OT's only reasoning for a profiling bed is for the head raise, here's my take on the Pillowlifts:

- they are a niche product but, if the suit a person's needs, then yippee, a perfect solution.
- look closely at the videos: does your husband have any back/shoulder pain? That the pillow extends down one's back may be an issue.
- is he at risk from pressure sores?
- is he able to turn over in bed?
- if his mobility becomes an issue, the other benefits to having a profiling bed can't be ignored.
- if you find yourself spending more time bending down helping your husband, your back will thank you.
- if he gets paid carers, they cannot be expected to/will not work with equipment which may cause manual handling injuries.

If you did want to/need to buy one, maybe you could get a (partial) grant from the MNDA. xx

My OTs got me to try one before I had my profiling bed ….the only thing I would add to Ellie’s list is that you need to be able to operate a hand control to inflate and deflate the pillow. This was a dealbreaker for me.

[Ellie]

... the only thing I would add to Ellie’s list is that you need to be able to operate a hand control to inflate and deflate the pillow.

Not necessarily James - as with many such controls, a carer operates it when the person without hand function doesn't have the means to use the control themselves - same goes for profiling beds, RR armchairs, powerchairs, TV remotes, bidet loo etc etc. (notwithstanding those who can use tech solutions for some devices)

[Tony]

I think I mentioned in a previous thread that I’ve been issued with a pillow raiser. It’s ok but not great. When raised it uses about a third of the bed length and when reclined it’s not that comfortable. I’m sure a profiling bec would be better if you can accommodate it.

[JamesW]

Not necessarily James - as with many such controls, a carer operates it when the person without hand function doesn't have the means to use the control themselves - same goes for profiling beds, RR armchairs, powerchairs, TV remotes, bidet loo etc etc. (notwithstanding those who can use tech solutions for some devices)

Absolutely Ellie 👍 in my case it defeated the objective and I ended up with a profiling bed and voice control x

[Ellie]

When raised it uses about a third of the bed length and when reclined it’s not that comfortable.

Thanks for that, Tony - they were my exact thoughts on watching the product video. xx

[Valley]

Thank you to everyone who replied. It is so good to be able to ask people who have very valid knowledge.