The majority of us spend at least a third of our lives in bed, which means it is absolutely vital to have one that is not just relaxing and rejuvenating, but also convenient to enter, exit and move around in.
Setting up such a bed is hard even for able bodied individuals, but for someone with a disability, it is an especially formidable challenge. When I speak of disabilities, I refer to those conditions which make it difficult for you to sit up, turn over, get in and out, or simply lay in a comfortable position in your bed.
Being able to fully utilize your bed in a comfortable manner isn’t just important for a sound, restful sleep – but it may also affect how you carry out your everyday activities, and it will definitely impact the speed at which you recover from your ailment (if it is a temporary one).
With that in mind, I’ve put together the information in this guide to help you select various specialized beds and bedding accessories designed to assist those suffering from disabilities. Note that I may discuss the same bedding equipment under multiple sections, in the context of the particular issue being addressed by that section.
Table of ContentsBefore You Start
Before embarking on a purchase of costly bedding furniture, or starting modifications in your house, I would advise you to contact a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
An OT can assess your home, and provide recommendations on how to best alter your home to minimize the limitations caused by your disability. Be sure to look for an OT with experience related to your case in particular. A physiotherapist will analyze your medical condition and provide recommendations pertaining to specialized training equipment and aids that could further enhance your recovery / alleviate your suffering.
It may be that based on these recommendations, you could avoid spending a fortune on bedding that is supposed to help with your condition.
The being said, without further ado, let’s move on to bedding recommendations for people with disabilities:
Do You Require Help Sitting Up Or Lying Down In Bed?
Overbed lifting poles (sometimes called pull handles) are built to ease movement in bed – this can be simply moving about, getting into an almost lying position (i.e. raising your upper body to rest it over pillows), or entering / leaving the bed.
Lifting poles normally utilize a floor standing cantilever gantry, but there are some that can be affixed to a bed or a wall. Freestanding lifting poles should be positioned appropriately beneath the bed, so as to prevent the gantry from tipping over.
A handle hanging from said gantry, positioned at the correct height for the patient, will enable them to lift themselves up and move in bed. Keep in mind that the patient must have ample strength in their arms and abdomen to use this bed support; those with a condition limiting the arms, shoulders or abdomen won’t find it very useful.
Here are some factors to consider when buying a lifting pole accessory:
These are beds with special sections in their base (underneath the mattress) that can be hinged to create a back support, and in certain cases, a leg support as well. This characteristic is referred to as profiling.
The mattress you use with this bed must have proper divisions that match the adjustable parts of the bed base. This means, for instance, that traditional continuous coil mattresses are out of the question, since they will be very hard to adjust to the bed profile. If you can’t get a hinged (divided) mattress, you’ll need one that can quickly respond to the changes in the bed’s profile without permanently altering its own shape – ideally, this would be a natural latex or fiber filled mattress.
Variable posture beds are available in both hospital and domestic variants. The latter are smaller, usually with a padded or wooden headboard, and greater aesthetic appeal. The former are bigger, normally made out of metal, more durable, and often come with extra nursing features e.g. a quick release for the backrest in case the patient needs to be made to lie horizontally in an instant, removable foot- and headboards for lateral supine transfers, or the ability to limit the patient’s access to the bed’s controls.
Be sure to check that the extra features in the hospital bed are relevant to your condition – besides the basic profiling system and certain safety sides, you’ll likely have to specify the additional capabilities you require.
A description of n-section beds:
How are they operated?
If you don’t want to get a new bed to deal with a temporary disability, you can get a section mattress platform which can be incorporated into the frame of a regular bed. The platform can then change your mattress’s profile to assist you in sitting up and laying down – the mechanism is normally operated by a remote handset.
A chair bed, as implied by its name, can serve you as either a bed or a chair, as needed. This makes it suitable for someone who can’t be easily moved from one spot to the other to perform various routine tasks e.g. eating, writing, watching television etc.
Some chair beds closely resemble chairs that recline fully to allow the patient to lie down horizontally at their discretion, while others are more like highly adjustable beds that can change their profile to that of a chair.
Also known as mattress variators, these are powered implements that can help you in sitting up or lying down on your own. You can raise them to create a backrest that lets you enjoy a sitting position. Some even come with knee rests to prevent you from slipping downwards.
The noisiness of these inclinators varies – most prominently depending on the mechanism used for creating the support: airbags produce significant sound, whereas hydraulic pistons are a lot more discreet.
Factors To Consider
The end goal for this accessory is identical to that of mattress inclinators, except that they achieve it through a different mechanism. A hinged frame is strapped to the base of the bed, underneath the mattress – this frame’s profile is altered to create a sitting position either through an airbag that the frame encloses, or through an attached hydraulic piston.
A rope ladder is affixed to the bed frame, the footboard, or the feet at the bed’s end, and let a person pull themselves up into a sitting posture.
Naturally, the first rung has to be reachable for the person when they’re lying down.
Make sure that the ladder is secured in place so that it doesn’t suddenly get released when the person pulls on it (could lead to serious injury). Furthermore, if the ladder has plastic rungs, test them first to ensure they aren’t overly slippery.
You may also want to fix a retrieval rope to the ladder (the other end of which is tied to the bedclothes), so that the ladder can be retrieved from the floor in case it falls out of the bed during the night.
These work much like rope ladders, but instead of rungs, they incorporate loops attached to a central strap. To make it less of a hassle to secure the strap to you your bed, buy one that comes with a clip. Mass effect geth prime. A notable benefit of pull straps is that they are easily portable because of their small weight.
Grab handles are either floor-fixed, wall-fixed or bed-fixed, and enable the patient to turn over or sit up in the bed. Both fixed and variable position options are available. The static versions may block some of the bedside, which could make it hard to exit / enter the bed.
For floor fixed versions, make sure that the floor isn’t made out of concrete, since that would make it difficult to install. Make sure that bed-attached grab handles are fastened reliably – some allow you to tuck them under the mattress, so that the weight of the patient keeps them in place.
Lastly, verify that there isn’t any chance of the patient getting stuck in the grab handle’s rail, either at its end, or between the mattress and the rail.
Also called a pillow lifter, this implement rests under your pillow but above your mattress (in certain cases, the pillow itself may come with the package). The principle of operation is quite similar to mattress variators, but yields less support because the device is much narrower.
If there is a considerable risk of the patient rolling over sideways, it is recommended that you ditch these in favor of a variable posture bed or a mattress inclinators. Alternately, you could buy a pillow lifter that comes with a knee break, to reduce the risk of slippage from the side.
Do You Require Back Support / Slide Down Whilst Sitting In Bed?
If you find yourself sliding down every time you sit in bed, and then have a hard time getting back up – believe me, it can even happen when you hit the gym cold turkey and your muscles build up on lactic acid – you may find the items described in this section helpful:
Quite a common sight on old hospital bedding, these are headboards that can be pulled forward to create a tilting back rest. Operating them manually can provide difficult (and even hazardous) for the patient themselves, but if you’ve got someone to help you out (or one that can be operated automatically), they work well as a static back support.
You can invert these pillows to cushion your neck, arms and shoulders.
Sporting a wooden or metal skeleton, the angle on this backrest’s supporting surface can be altered, so that they can be used with pillows to provide comforting support for a disabled person. Keep in mind that you’ll need a headboard to keep the backrest from sliding out.
Normally composed of foam encased in a cover, and packing back- and arm-rests for support, this bedding accessory is ideal for people who want to sit up and watch the football game in spite of their injury (maybe eat some popcorn while they’re at it).
This type of bed allows you to modify its profile / shape, as per the requirements of your condition. You can raise the head side to bolster your back / shoulders whilst sitting, and a knee break is present to prevent sliding down.
These are simply custom shaped pillows or foam based wedges that you can put beneath your legs to improve support while you’re sitting.
These can be fixed to a plate at the end of your bed, or to your mattress directly. If a patient has sufficient strength in their legs, they can push against a footboard to achieve / maintain a sitting position.
While these are normally available only in hospitals, in some cases, you can use them as nursing equipment at home – if you have the space in your bedroom that is. They are bulky, and delivering and installing them at a domestic premises is costly and risky.
A tilting bed keeps you from sliding down when you’re sitting / lying in bed by tilting the bed backwards by a few degrees. Making this adjustment manually is dangerous, since the foot end needs to be lifted and lowered.
The safest play is to use an electrically operated tilting bed, or, alternatively, a variable posture bed that comes with a knee break.
This is a slip-resistant implement that can go in a single direction, made from a fabric that is stitched to create a contiguous roller. The glide’s interior incorporates a material that can slide in one direction readily, but not in the other one.
When positioned underneath a patient who is sitting in bed, it enables them to slide (or be slid) back to a natural position, and stay that way (because the glide won’t move in the forward direction easily). Some glides come with a memory foam or polyfoam cushion to enhance comfort.
There are certain sliding sheets which can be utilized in the same fashion. The caretaker must make certain that the fabric does not crease up under the patient’s backside, since this could lead to discomfort and sores.
This type of lifter comes with a reinforced strap that has a loop at its end. You put your leg through this loop, and then manually lift it into bed. Note that this requires quite a bit of power and dexterity to carry out on your own – or, you could use the neck of a walking cane, or a looped webbing strap to achieve the same results.
Power lifters are fixed to the frame of the bed, and require you to sit on the bed’s edge with your feet positioned on the floor ahead of the lifter. A platform then moves in a 90 degree arc, lifting your legs up to a position that is just a bit higher than the mattress.
You can then slide your legs off the device and into your bed. Some powered lifters incorporate a compressor that inflates an air sack to raise the platform, but the compressor creates a vacuum sound that can be quite irritating.
The device is controlled by means of a handset.
Some of us toss and turn in bed as a force of habit, but for certain patients, it is necessary to prevent the formation of pressure sores from staying in one position for too long.
If changing the position is merely necessary for preventing bed sores, you could use a variable posture bed to alter the profile of the bed so that turning / moving becomes unnecessary.
Combined with a lifting pole, a partially reclined backrest would theoretically allow you to remove pressure off your backside by pulling on the pole and rolling to a side. Or, you could bend your knees and push your feet into the mattress, and then lift your buttock.
A variable posture bed with changeable height will enable the caretaker to assist you in turning without having to stoop down.
This a hospital-grade, electric powered bed that lets you turn from one side to the other – usually, the size prevents it from being used in a home set up. A caretaker normally operates the device from a panel at the bed’s end, or via foot controls, while others let the patient control them directly.
Yet another variety comes with an automatic feature that shifts from side to side in preset intervals.
These either work through a turning sheet that is cycled by a couple of rollers attached to a frame on both sides of the bed, or by a sectioned mattress with airbags underneath each section that are deflated and inflated in an alternating fashion. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, both result in remarkably easy turning on part of the sleeper. You can control them either by a handset, or by setting up an automatic sequence.
Since they don’t carry any dedicated side protection, I’d recommend using them together with cot sides to keep you from accidentally slipping off.
These comprise of a length of fabric that is stitched to create a contiguous roller, or folded in a manner that the slick material on the interior surfaces is readily able to slide back and forth.
The roller is positioned across the bed, while the patient lies flat on top of it – the open ends of the device are towards the head and foot of the bed. Once set up properly, many patients are able to turn around without any external assistance – but if that isn’t possible, a caretaker can pull the roller’s top layer / handling sheet to achieve the desired result.
Before you use this mechanism, make sure that your caretaker (if necessary) is aware of the proper position and technique to assist you, since careless handling could lead to injury or back pain.
Low friction rollers come in two sizes: one is comparable to a large cushion, and the other is on the scale of a sleeping bag. The smaller version goes under the patient’s bottom and shoulders, whereas the larger on is placed under them from head to toe.
Certain rollers have a padded construction, which allows them to be retained beneath the sleeper, while other types are slim and can be cleanly removed after their purpose is served. In any case, if you choose to keep the roller underneath you after its work is done, make sure it doesn’t cause you to slip out accidentally!
To prevent such accidents, you can put high friction inserts inside the roller to halt its function. The inserts can be removed when you need to turn in bed again.
Do You Have Trouble Getting Out Of Bed (Moving To The Edge)?
Some disabilities limit the patient from reaching the edge of the bed so they can swing their legs down to the side. People normally try to get out of this predicament by lifting their backside completely from the mattress, using only their arms.
But for most of us, this can be difficult because our arms lack the length to create enough of a push when we’re sitting. It becomes even more of a pain when you’re injured (no pun intended). This is especially true for muscular individuals, or if you’re using a memory foam mattress that sinks upon the application of force.
You can consult an occupational therapist or physiotherapist to suggest a particular movement technique that you can apply, or, here are some bedding accessories that may prove helpful for more serious cases.
Hand blocks positioned at the sides of the bed can be used to sustain the force of the person much more effectively than a regular mattress surface. You grab them and push down using your arms, so that your body is elevated, making it easier to reach the edge.
Make sure that the hand blocks are reasonably strong at the base, and their handgrips aren’t too hard on the patient’s hand.
By letting you change the bed’s profile to support you in a sitting position, a variable posture bed enables you to utilize a lifting pole or grab rail to raise your behind by a couple inches so that it can be moved to the edge, from where you can stand up and exit the bed more easily.
Do You Have Trouble Getting Out Of Bed (Standing Up)?
Another problem some patients may experience is actually standing up once they’re at the edge of the bed. In some cases, elevating the height of the bed may be helpful – you could get a bed that is made extra high, or has adjustable-height legs.
But sometimes, it can be challenging to find a height that works for both the caretaker to administer medicines / provide help, and the patient to sit at the edge with their feet planted on the floor. Your best bet, therefore, is bedding that allows for on-the-fly height adjustment to accommodate the requirements of both the patient and the carer.
These go under the legs of the bed to raise its height, which makes it easier for the patient to stand up. But afterwards, you’ll end up facing the same issues discussed above – the fixed height may have made it easier to stand, but sitting on the edge will no longer be safe, nor will lifting your legs onto the bed be easy.
A couple of things to note:
Types of bed leg raisers:
These go under a regular bed and transform it into a variable-height bed. The mechanism is powered, and manipulated through a remote control with push buttons or a toggle switch.
The unit itself will need more room than the bed it’s raising, since the scissor mechanism will change the bed’s position by a bit as it increases its height. Make sure that the room is free of obstructions that may hinder the bed’s ascent and descent.
These beds operate either on a manual or a powered mechanism. Manual operation versions normally utilize a hydraulic setup to adjust the height of the bed, normally controlled via foot pump at one of the bed’s sides. The upward movement that results in this manner could be a bit jittery, not to mention the fact that the user themselves will not be able to control it.
Certain electrically powered models can be operated by the user independently, allowing them to choose the optimum height to suit their needs. This is usually done by means of a handset, remote control or voice commands. The actual mechanism runs via motor, and is almost or completely silent.
Both domestic and hospital variable posture beds are available with a height adjustment facility, with the former being general smaller with a padded or wooden headboard that makes them suitable for a domestic setup. Hospital versions are bulkier and metallic, giving them a clinically, unaesthetic aura.
Regardless of the one you buy, make sure there aren’t any obstructions in their path as they go up or come down, since they are normally not equipped to automatically stop at an obstruction, and can get damaged and/or cause injury.
Are Your Legs Unable to Sustain Your Weight / Do You Have an Extremely Limited Movement Ability?
If this is the case with you, first and foremost, I’ll recommend seeking the expertise of a therapist who will advise you on the best form of assistance for getting out of bed. Most healthy individuals find it hard to lift other people (even children) out of bed and onto a wheelchair – at least not on a long term basis.
Results staffing garland tx. Fortunately, there is specialized equipment that can do the heavy lifting in your stead.
Mobile / overhead slings and hoists can lift the patient: mobile hoists can do the lifting with a degree of efficiency but aren’t especially portable, particularly across carpeted flooring or tight spaces. Overhead hoists can also lift well, but are also much easier to port around.
In some cases, lifting poles or hand blocks may enable the user to pull up some of their weight, while the caretaker helps them to move in bed. This minimizes the chances of the caretaker developing back pain due to excessive strain.
Here is a breakdown of the equipment used to assist people with restricted movement capability:
These have a vertical mast that either goes into a stand, or is affixed to a wall. The mast has a boom that extends over the bed, swinging sideways through a right angle, thereby letting the patient move from the bed to a wheelchair / chair / commode.
The hoist uses an electrically operated lift (both battery and mains AC variants are available), but the swinging motion has to be actuated manually – this can be done by the patient themselves if they are capable of pushing against the bed. Alternately, a grab handle could be used to enable sideways movement.
Certain hoisting systems can be carried around, and utilized with wall-attached swinging frames in various places – even for multiple individuals.
This type of hoist can, in some cases, work great in houses i.e. if the house structure lets you install a track (jointed, curved or straight) that lets the patient move themselves in a sling (or do so with minimal assistance) from the bed straight to any other part of the house.
If the system is electrically powered, the user will be able to manipulate both their lateral and vertical movements quite easily – even independently, given they have the right remote control and slings. On the other hand, a manual system will require a caretaker to push the patient along the track.
Be sure to consider the fact the track system may produce sound that could disturb other residents.
These comprise of a couple circular discs that rotate in opposing directions. People who can partially stand or can use a board to transfer from the bed to another place, but have trouble turning, stepping and/or adjusting their feet, will find turning discs useful. Your feet go on the disc and as you shift positions, the disc rotates.
The patient can wear a handling belt to help their caretaker guide them during the initial movement across the board / into the partial standing position. Note that assisting someone when they are actually on the disc can be difficult, and may require specialized advice from an OT. One workaround is a disc that includes a frame that the patient can grab.
Solid transfer discs use ball bearings to achieve their rotation; this mechanism can get overly fast and out of control for some patients. It is however suitable for bulky patients, since their weight would inhibit the discs that lack ball bearings.
Certain discs are made using a pair of flexible fabric discs instead of solid material. The external surface is made slip resistant (so the patient can safely stand on it), whereas the interior is made deliberately slippery to help the discs slide over each other. From the user’s standpoint, they work just like solid discs, but they can also be placed beneath the patient’s backside to further assist in their movement.
Fabric discs are foldable, so they can also be ported around more easily than solid discs.
These boards have smooth surfaces that taper at the end to help transfer the patient sideways. The patient can use them either on their own or with assistance from their caretaker, to slide in a sitting posture from the bed to a wheelchair. The process is simplest if the seat and the mattress surface are at matching heights.
If the chair you’re transferring to does not allow you to remove the armrests, you’ll need a curved transferred so you can go around them. Certain boards let you incorporate extra transfer mechanisms into them e.g. one board could have a transfer disc that goes into a specific slot, while another could have a roller on which the patient sits then slides across the board.
These are normally crafted out of webbing, and can be adjusted to go around the patient’s waist. Horizontal and/or vertical grips are present to enable the caretaker to hold the patient with ease and firmness. The belt can, in this way, be used to guide the patient as he moves across a board, or stands up on his feet.
Note that these belts are not designed to carry the entire weight of the wearer, and should not be used as lifting belts i.e. where the caretaker pulls nearly all the weight of the patient to get them to stand up.
Almost all essential bedding products are available in waterproof varieties, but it should be noted that most used semi-permeable plastic membranes to achieve waterproofing, which makes them noisy and hot.
Pillowcases, duvets, duvet covers, mattresses and mattress covers that are waterproof can be easily acquired – but one of the most common methods of dealing with bed wetting is to use a regular mattress and cover it up with a waterproof mattress protector.
Modern high end protectors use special phase changing materials to conduct heat away from the surface, resulting in considerably reduced warming problems compared to more conventional protectors. They are still a lot cheaper than a fully-fledged waterproof mattress, and achieve the same results, so you may want to consider them if you’re on a budget.
These go on top of your regular bedclothes, and can absorb any fluids they are exposed to.
These are narrow sheets that go across the bed’s middle, to minimize any chances of the bed clothes getting soiled. Usually, they are sufficiently long to let you tuck them into the sides for convenience.
A bedwetting alarm uses a sensing electrode stitched into a pad or a sheet that is linked to an alarm device. As soon as the sensor senses a few urine drops, it activates the alarm and alerts the caretaker.
There are plenty of manufacturers that produce firm mattresses, which are normally regarded as orthopedic by consumers, even though this isn’t really a standard. For instance, there are back ache sufferers for whom memory foam – with its soft, conforming surface – works much better. Still others fare better with top-of-the-line latex foam mattresses with their springy, contouring support.
In the end, it all boils down to what makes you the most comfortable, but as a general rule, the mattress you select to deal with back pain should be able to adjust itself according to your body profile (especially for side sleepers), so that you maintain a natural spine during your sleep. An awkward spinal position is a top cause for pain in the joints because of the extra pressure that is exerted on them.
Unless you’re acting on a physiotherapist’s candid advice, try to avoid companies that offer to produce a mattress ‘tailor-made’ for your needs, since this is a hit or miss trial that can’t be refunded because – you guessed it – the product was made especially for you and can’t be sold again to anyone else.
Assisting Elderly To Get Into Bed Bugs
One cause of back pain is a mattress that is past its use by date, and has started to sag. It fails to provide the support necessary to keep your spine in its correct posture, thereby causing undue stress on your muscles and joints, which in turn leads to the pain.
Not all of us have the dough to get a new mattress at any given moment, so if you’re stuck in the middle and want a quick (and temporary) fix, you could consider getting a bed board. Placing it under your aging mattress may make it firm again but it will only work if the mattress has sagged all the way through to the base. If the base is still solid, the effect of the board will be negligible.
Being disabled is hard in itself, but if you end up hurting yourself even further in that state, it can be frustrating and disastrous. If you don’t have access to a dedicated caretaker at all times, it is important that your bedding setup have essential protective features to minimize the risk of an injury.
Floors are hard, and for someone who has limited control over their motion, a fall from a bed is very much likely and especially harmful because they won’t be able to react in time to break it. A rail on the sides of the bed can serve to prevent you from this kind of fall by stopping your motion if you make one roll too many in your sleep.
Make sure that the rail is appropriate for the size of the patient – regular rails normally work for anyone over the age of 12, but for children or unusually small adults, a custom size will have to be acquired.
Since regular bed rails are quite hard and can injure an especially careless individual by themselves, in certain cases, padded rails may be a more sensible choice. Because of their additional cushioning, the user can collide with them as much as they want and not suffer from any bumps or bruises.
Padding is especially necessary if the uncovered rail has sharp / pointy edges and corners, or if the patient suffers from a condition where an open wound takes a long time to heal e.g. diabetes.
If bed rails are not an option, you could use padded flooring as a final safeguard against injury from falling out of bed. They are normally made out of a soft material such as foam. An added benefit of floor pads is that they make it easier to step out of bed for people with weak joints, because they compress under the impact of the feet as opposed to regular hard flooring.
This is simply a bed with a frame that has a lower height than regular beds. While the exact size varies from model to model, 10 inches is the generally agreed upon upper threshold. In many cases, the height is modifiable to meet the patient’s exact requirements. The logic behind low profile bedding is that it makes it safer and easier for a disabled person to step out of bed.
In case the patient accidentally falls out of bed, the impact of the landing will also be reduced compared to a normal height bed. Used in conjunction with a floor pad, a low profile bed can create a far more subtle and aesthetically appealing safety system than bed rails.
One of the more physically demanding tasks of a caregiver is what therapists call “bed mobility”. Bed mobility is important for a number of reasons. But most commonly 1) giving someone a bed bath, 2) providing pressure relief for a bedbound or mostly immobile person to prevent bed sores, and 3) to get people up to the edge of the bed and then possibly to a wheelchair or bedside commode.
The primary reason that this can be physically demanding is that its difficult for the person in bed to assist the caregiver. And so the caregiver ends up doing a lot of the physical work or rolling and lifting parts or all of the bed bound patient.
Don’t Lift An Elderly Person Out Of Bed
But, what many caregivers don’t fully understand is that they may be working too hard. They may be doing things that 1) the bed bound person can actually do for themselves, or, 2) they are not using the best strategies or techniques to accomplish the task.
For instance, in some cases, a caregiver may end up lifting a limb and attempting to hold it in position while completing a task. However, it may be easier to “prop” the limb up with a pillow or other object to accomplish the same task.
Also, many family (and other) caregivers feel they need to lift the person up when they are trying to get them sitting on the edge of the bed, and in so doing they use a poor technique that puts a strain on all the parties involved.
There may be a better way to do this and avoid feeling the need to lift a person from the bed.
The following photo sequence will demonstrate what therapists and rehab professionals refer to as the log roll. Its the primary technique used for bed mobility and is the least stressful on the patient as well as the caregiver that may be assisting.
1. Hook-lying
This is the starting position for most is not all bed mobility. From this position, its easier for the person in bed to scoot, slide, roll, and yes, lift themselves to be re-positioned.
Sometimes the sick or elderly are unable to get out of bed. But the hook-lying position will help make a number of caregiver duties easier and less stressful to complete.
The hook-lying position is generally comfortable for the person and easy to maintain with very little assistance from the caregiver (that is unless the bed bound person is significantly weakened or paralyzed in their legs)
In addition, this position allows the caregiver greater control of the lower half of the body if assistance is needed to re-position the bed bound person.
You can place a pillow between the knees for comfort or skin protection if needed.
2. Log Roll To One Side
This movement is called the “log roll” because the idea is to move “nose, navel, and knees” all at the same time without twisting. You know, … roll like a log.
To do this technique as efficient as possible, the bed bound person reaches across the body in the direction they are rolling while at the same time letting the knees “flop” to the same side.
If needed the caregiver can help them roll by reaching behind the shoulder (left side in photo) and with a hand on the knees, and gently pulling them into the direction of the roll.
3. Stay in Side-lying Position For a Moment
At this point, the person should be positioned in sidelying, or the fetal position. This position should be fairly comfortable. You will have to make sure that the person is not too close to the edge however, because this may cause them to panic for fear of falling. When a person is anxious about falling, it’ll be difficult for them to concentrate on anything else.
Its important that the person is actually in pure sidelying and not 3/4 sidelying. Its easier and less stressful to move to sitting when a person is completely lying on their side.
4. Drop Feet From Edge of The Bed, Push Up With Hand and Elbow
From sidelying the person moves their feet forward off the edge of the bed (don’t lift up off the bed) and lets them drop toward the floor. At the same time, they push their upper body off the bed using the free hand, and the elbow of the arm they are lying on.
This is a coordinated movement and is similar to a see-saw or teeter-totter you see on a playground. When the feet go down, the head goes up.
The caregiver can assist by placing their hand between their shoulder and bed and assist by gently pushing the person to the upright.
5. Sitting Edge of Bed
At the end of this sequence, the once bed bound person should be sitting on the edge of the bed and you may hear them say something like “Boy, that was a lot easier than I thought it would be”.
As with anything, to learn and perfect this technique, you would have to practice it. That goes for the caregiver as well as those who are receiving the care. It makes getting a person out of and into the bed a lot easier.
Getting Someone Back Into Bed
If someone has been out of bed for a while, just reverse the technique to get an elderly person into bed. 1)Have them sit on the side of the bed, 2) have them “lay on their ear” while you lift the feet on to the bed, 3) pause in sidelying (have them scoot their hips and feet back a few inches), 4) then perform a “reverse log roll” onto their backs, 5) straighten out their legs.
Once a person is actually sitting on the edge of the bed, it’s a lot easier for them to transfer to a chair or stand and walk. Its the getting to the sitting position that is most strenuous and has the potential to lead to injuries because many use an improper technique.
Useful equipment
It can be challenging for older people to get into and out of bed as it requires flexibility and strength in different parts of the body. If you’re experiencing difficulty, here are some options that may help.
Check the bed is the right height
To ensure your bed is at a good height, check that your knees are reasonably bent when sitting on the bed. When a bed is too low to the ground, it will be more difficult to stand when getting out of it.
If necessary, raise the bed slightly using bed raisers (see above). However, it’s important not to raise the bed too high, as it's important that your feet will touch the floor when you get out of bed to ensure you can get your balance quickly. If the bed is too high, it also makes it difficult to get into, as well as it being less safe to sit on while getting dressed. Wearing silk nightwear can also increase the risk of slipping off the bed.
We’ve also moved my mother’s bed downstairs for now, with a commode in that room.
Getting dressed and undressed
If you are finding you have less flexibility in your fingers, making a few changes, such as buying more suitable clothing or using aids such as button hooks, putting on or taking off clothes doesn’t need to be such a difficult task.
Bedroom chair
Keeping a chair in the bedroom will allow you to sit down while you dress and undress. This can help with any balance problems and makes it easier to put on socks and shoes, while also easing any discomfort and reducing potential pain.
A chair with a firm seat and arms will be easier to manage than sitting on the side of the bed, and the arms will help you stand up after you have got dressed. To make the routine as smooth as possible, try to ensure that all clothes are within easy reach of the chair.
Keeping a chair in the bedroom will allow you to sit down while you dress and undress.
Clothing adaptations
Many aspects of getting dressed can be made easier by choosing suitable clothes and footwear. For example, zips and Velcro are both easier to fasten than small buttons or shoelaces; easier still are clothes that don’t require fastening at all. You might like to consider the following ideas:
Clothing aids
There is also a large range of clothing aids available to help make it easier to put your clothes on, including:
If you have problems with your eyesight, it may be worth considering items that can help you identify different clothes, such as:
If you’re handy with sewing (or know someone else who could help you), you may be able to make adaptations to some of your favourite garments so you can still put them on or take them off.
Our guide to online retailers has links to websites where you can buy adapted clothes and clothing aids.
Assisting Elderly To Get Into Bed And BreakfastClothes storage
Think about how your clothing is being stored and whether it’s appropriate for your needs.
Tall wardrobes with high rails and low drawers may no longer be suitable, for example, if you have a physical disability or a mobility problem. Wardrobes with sliding doors are easier to open, particularly if you use a walking aid.
It might also be useful to have a light fitted in the wardrobe if you have problems with your eyesight.
Even making small changes to clothing storage systems, such as labelling drawers, can make a big difference, and in some cases it may be all that is required for you to stay independent in your dressing routine.
However, if you require a bit more help there are other options, such as having drop-down rails in wardrobes or replacing chests of drawer units with wire baskets or clear drawers.
Helping your loved one
If you have to physically help a family member or friend to get dressed, allow them to do as much as possible themselves.
Often it’s easier for people with physical problems to take clothes off, so maybe your loved one only needs help putting clothes on. Some people are also able to dress their upper body and just need help with trousers or skirts.
If you’re caring for someone who is partially sighted or living with dementia, see our dressing tips for people with special requirements guide to find out the best ways you can help them.
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Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 19, 2019.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:What are bed transfers?
When you perform a bed transfer, you help a bedridden person move from the bed to a chair or wheelchair. You also may help move him back into bed. You can use the pivot transfer, scoot transfer, or slide board transfer. A gait belt can be used with any of these transfers.
Why is it important to do bed transfers correctly?
How do I prepare a person for a transfer?
A bedridden person may be independent (needing minimal help) or totally dependent. An independent person should be encouraged to move himself as much as possible. A totally dependent person cannot move out of bed without your help. Consider the following as you plan the bed transfer:
How do I prevent injury to myself and to others?
What do I need to know about what to do before all transfers?
What do I need to know about what to do after all transfers?
How do I transfer a person using the pivot transfer with a gait belt?
To use this method, the person must be able to sit with help and to bear some weight on his legs. Stand toe-to-toe with the seated person. Bend your knees slightly and keep your back straight. Ask him to put his hands on the edge of the bed if he can. Put your arms under his arms. Ask him to help by using his arms to move his body to the edge of the bed. The person will stand briefly before he sits in the chair or wheelchair. You can help him stand using a gait belt:
How do I transfer a person using the pivot transfer without a gait belt?
How do I transfer a person using a slide board?
Slide boards are stiff, smooth, and slippery. They act like a bridge between the bed and chair or wheelchair. The person being transferred must be able to sit up when using this method. Use a gait belt with the slide board.
How do I transfer a person using the scoot transfer?
For this transfer method, the height of the bed and chair should be within 2 inches of each other. The person must be able to sit with help and to bear some weight on his legs. Use a towel to cushion the edge of the seat. A gait belt can help move the person. Use the rock-and-pull method:
Care AgreementYou have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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