Our high low beds have been designed to benefit users vulnerable to falls from bed through the use of ultra-low undercarriages, meaning the user can sleep at a very low surface height. Low beds are often recommended where the user is to sleep without the use of side rails.

The Evolution 400 low bed is a highly specified low bed, offering configurable wood finishes and side rail arrangements. The Evolution 400 uses intelligent motor control systems to ensure excellent comfort and positioning assistance for the user, whilst offering the carer time saving and safety features during moving and handling operations. The concealed braking system offers increased stability whilst retaining its aesthetics.

Why Use Low Beds?

Low beds are useful as part of a multi-faceted approach to reduce the risk of injuries from falls from bed.

For dementia patients where they are assessed as being of high risk of injury of falls, we often recommend the use of a low bed with head end assist / side rails with protective padding.

BaKare’s low beds will adjust as low as 25cm above the ground and will rise to 82cm high. Many other low beds suffer from overly large footboards due to their design, making the user feel ‘boxed in’. Our design is unique because they retain the standard footboard and appearance whilst offering true low bed and high bed range of height adjustment.

When transferring into bed, raising legs and feet up onto the bed can be difficult for both carers and users. Motorised, mechanical leg-lifters are one way of acheiving this, however users often compain that they are bulky, expensive devices retro fitted to the bed.

An often overlooked benefit of our low beds is that instead of using a mechanical leg lifter to raise the feet, the bed may be lowered closer to the ground with the user sat on the bed and feet on the floor, effectively raising the feet nearer to the mattress height. For partially independent users of our beds, we find that this can mean transferring into bed without assistance, thus increasing independence & well being, whilst reducing costs and demand on care.

For more information please visit our high low profiling beds section

A profiling bed has a ‘flexible’ lying surface and allows you to sit up in bed or raise your feet at the touch of a button on the handset. This greatly improves mobility and comfort.

To find out about how a profiling bed may benefit you, please visit our profiling bed benefits page.

To view Volker 3082 nursing care bed specifications, please click here.

For more information, please contact us.

The Volker 3082 double is a height adjustable profiling d0uble bed with independent operation of each side. Boasting features from a professional care bed in an attractive looking package, the 3080 is available in a range of wooden finishes.

Features

• independent operation of each side
• cylindrical legs with internal telescopic mechanism
• electronic retractable wheels
• 2 x four-section mattress platform
• 4 motors
• full comfort position
• dual handheld controls on lead
• side rails

For pricing and availability of Volker 3082 profiling double bed, please click here.

This guide is designed to summarise the main benefits and features that should be considered when selecting an electric bed for disabled persons within the community or care environment.

What is an Electric Bed?

Electric beds typically use low voltage motors to control and elevate the profiling lying surface of the bed and adjust the height of bed. This is done by a small handset which is used to control independent low voltage motors integrated into the bed’s undercarriage.

The choice in electric beds for people with disabilities in homecare and community use has grown considerably over the last two decades, having previously only been used for medical care.

An electric bed can be adjusted to a number of different positions using a profiling lying surface, which can commonly incline the upper body and raise the lower body independently of each other.

What are the benefits of Profiling?

For users with restricted mobility or disabilities which impair movement, the electrically controlled profiling facilitates independent positioning in order to sit up in bed to read or watch TV, which can help to maximise comfort & assist relaxation.

Profiling can also be used to sit-up the user prior to transfer into or out of bed. Some adjustable beds offer a chair or comfort position which is perfect for those that want to eat, read or relax in bed.

Our beds have separate head, centre & foot sections which are all independently moveable. The handset controls low voltage electric motors which change the profile of the bed.

Powered by a motor underneath the mattress surface, each section of the bed can be positioned independently.

The back section on BaKare’s beds is automatically withdrawn when raising, in order to reduce stomach compression.

Height Adjustment

A height adjustable bed can be raised & lowered at the touch of a button on the handset. The handset controls low voltage electric motors which raise and lower the bed.

Lowering the height of the bed is beneficial for those with a limited mobility when getting into and out of bed. The variable height also aids those that transfer from a wheelchair to set the bed at the correct level to assist the manoeuvre into or out of bed.

A height adjustable bed can be raised to a high height, which means that carers don’t have to bend dangerously when assisting a user. Height adjustability reduces the risk of back injury to the carer and is a requirement by many social services authorities which provide home care.

Some adjustable electric beds can lower themselves very close to the floor, meaning that if you were to fall out of bed, there would be a reduced risk of injury. For extra low beds, please visit our low electric bed section.

Demonstration of Electric Bed

Shown below is a video of one of our Volker 3080 electric beds demonstrating how its electric motors are controlled via a handset in order to provide height adjustment, profiling and trend/anti-trend (tilt).

Further Reading

Recommended further reading to view would be:

• BaKare Residential electric bed
• Volker 3082 electric bed
• BaKare Evolution 400 low electric bed
• View electric bed prices and comparison.
• For further information, please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts

• Social Services
• Charities
• Disabled Facilities Grants
• Loans
• Insurance
• VAT Relief
• Further Information

Social Services

Your local social services department may be able to assist in providing specialised mobility equipment such as beds after assessing your circumstances. It’s worth contacting them to see if they can help you, especially if your situation is affecting your whole life. Other local authorities may also be able to help with various purchases or home adaptations.

Normally a member of their occupational therapy team will assess your needs & may recommend equipment to help you with mobility in and around your home.

BaKare have vast experience of dealing with equipment funded in part or full by social services and encourage the use of an occupational therapist to ensure the product is correctly assessed against the users needs – in fact, many occupational therapists recommend our products to clients. If you would like further information on options for funding via social services, our trained advisers may be able to help.

Further links on social care from Dept of Health.

Charities

Some charities can offer financial help towards buying mobility equipment. Some of these will only be able to offer some of the funding, but others will be able to provide full funding.

Your best bet is to contact them and ask about their funding policies. Before they will accept your funding request, most charities will ask for a letter or report from a healthcare professional that outlines your personal circumstances and mobility requirements.

If this is the case for you, you can ask someone like an occupational therapist, as he or she should be able to provide you with this. If your situation involves a medical condition rather than a disability, you can contact the head office of the condition’s Society (for example, the Multiple Sclerosis Society) to see if they can provide some funding for you.

BaKare have traditionally been suggested or recommended by charities such as the MS Society and commonly have clients products funded in full or part by these. If you would like further information on charities which may be in a position to assist, our trained advisers may be able to help.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Your local authority is obliged to give you this if your circumstances fit the criteria. You can get an application form from your local authority.

Further information on Disabled Facilities Grants.

Loans

Sometimes, a loan may be the only option, but please don’t take one out unless you have the means to repay it (plus the interest). You will also need be vigilant of high interest rates (typically in excess of 20% a.p.r.)  sometimes quoted to people in need of specialist disability / mobility equipment. If in doubt, please consult independent advice.

BaKare do not offer finance on our products, but are licensed under the Consumer Credit Act and have experience of purchases financed by third party lenders.

Insurance

Occasionally, the requirement for mobility equipment may be as a result of an accident or work or traffic accident and insurance companies will often cover these costs whilst using an private occupational therapist to recommend suitable products.

BaKare have a high reputation for the provision and maintenance of long term care products and are often recommended by legal bodies, insurance companies and private occupational therapists and case managers.

VAT Relief

People with disabilities don’t have to pay VAT on equipment which has been designed solely for disabled people.

Products which are eligible for this VAT relief are referred to as ‘zero rated’. All of BaKare’s beds are zero rated for VAT and qualify for VAT relief. You will have to sign a form confirming that you are disabled and that the item is for your personal use, rather than for commercial or business purposes and the VAT is deducted at the point of purchase.

Further reading from HM Revenue & Customs Guidance.

Further Information

BaKare products & services are often recommended by occupational therapists, charities and insurance companies & have vast experience of dealing with equipment funded in part or full by one or a combination of different sources.

Our trained advisers may be able to help put you in touch with organisations who may be able to offer financial assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Bed side rails, also referred to as cot-sides, safety sides, and bed guards, are used extensively in the health and social care sectors to protect vulnerable people from falling out of bed and injuring themselves. They usually achieve this very successfully. However, there continues to be reports of entrapment of bed occupants, which have included fatalities of children and adults.

Main contents

• Why Use Bed Side Rails?
• Who is affected?
• Statistics
• Common Risks / Causes of Injuries from using Bed Side Rails
• Legal Considerations
• Mattress Overlays / Air Mattresses – Considerations
• Maintenance
• Assessments
• Selecting a Safe Bed Side Rail
• Side Rails supplied with BaKare’s Beds
• How We Can Help
• Further Information

Why Use Bed Side Rails?

Bed side rails are used in hospitals, nursing homes, residential homes, hospices and in the community to reduce the risk of falls from the bed. They are not intended to limit the freedom of movement or to be used to restrain patients in bed. Bed side rails should not be used as a maintenance form of managing residents.

Who is Affected?

Legally, the health and safety of people who use care services is covered. “People who use care services” is a term used by the HSE to describe patients, residents and any others in health and social care premises.

Users who use bed side rails but not in health or social care premises such as in their own homes and not receiving professional care, are not covered by this legislation, however following the guidelines and advice given (where relevant) allow for practical safety considerations to be adhered to. Occasionally, some people choose to use their own bed when receiving care, which will require their equipment to meet relevant guidelines for safe use.

Statistics

Between April 2001 & March 2005 HSE statistics identified at least 10 fatal accidents and a number of major injury incidents in which the use of bed rails was implicated.

Common Risks / Causes of Injuries from using Bed Side Rails

There are a number of failings associated with bed rail use that may result in an accident, with the most common type of incident reported involving care home residents becoming entrapped in divan type bed rails or when using a metal framed bed fitted with bed rails from a third party supplier. Common causes of accidents involving bed rails are:

• Poorly fitting bed rails that may result in parts of the body becoming trapped, e.g. between the mattress and the bedrail. This could arise from using a third party bed rail that is not designed for use with a particular bed type.
• Poor bed rail design, for example very large spacing between the rails that may result in parts of the body becoming trapped
• Movement of the bed rail away from the side of a divan mattress
• Use of mattress overlay which reduces the effective height of the bed rail that may result in the person falling over the top of the bed rail and out of bed.
• Use of an air mattress which is too light to keep the bed rail assembly in position on a divan bed
• Bed rails in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance
• User unlatching or violently shaking and dislodging bed side rails

Legal Considerations

A company responsible for running a large number of nursing homes was fined £175,000 following a fatality involving bedrails. HSE recommend that “Strong enforcement action should be considered where failings of risk management give rise to significant risk to vulnerable people.”

Mattress Overlays / Air Mattresses – Considerations

• A pressure sore overlay system is used on a bed which had a bed side rail fitted. The extra combined height of the mattress would make the bed side rail less effective as it is easier for the occupant to fall from the bed over the bedside rail. A higher rail or side rail extensions would need to be considered in combination with a lower profile air mattress.
• A newer, thinner replacement mattress is used (sometimes as a replacement for mattress overlay and air mattress), this could be too low, creating increased gaps between the top of the mattress and bed side rails, meaning increased chance of entrapment.
• If the standard mattress is replaced with a lightweight foam mattress, the whole bedside rail assembly, including the mattress and occupant can tip off the bed when the occupant rolls against the bedside rail. This is because many divan bed side rails rely on the weight of a standard traditional divan mattress to hold the assembly securely in place.
• The hazard of entrapment between the side face of the mattress and the bed side rail may be exacerbated due to the soft, easily compressible nature of the mattress edge. If an air mattress is intended to be used with a bed rail then the mattress supplier should be contacted for advice.

Maintenance

Many incidents are caused by a lack of maintenance. Bed side rail assemblies should be included on a planned preventative maintenance schedule and records should be kept of inspections and maintenance.

Assessments

Bed side rails should not be used before a risk assessment is carried out and recorded in the patient’s records. Risk assessment includes the combination of the occupant, proposed bed rail, the bed and the mattress (or mattresses where overlays are used). Existing combinations should also be reviewed to ensure that they are compatible with the user and the bed.

The risk assessment is to be repeated if the bed, mattress, bed rail or condition of the occupant changes. Purchasing procedures should ensure that only appropriate equipment is obtained. These procedures should include experience and knowledge gained from previous risk assessments and use.

Selecting a Safe Bed Side Rail

Before selecting a bed side rail you should ask if the relevant standards and guidance (including the BS EN) available. Do the manufacturers provide guidance about when the use of bedside rails may be inappropriate? Is it to be used with a small person or does the person have an abnormally large or small head?

Side Rails supplied with BaKare’s Beds

Beds supplied by BaKare have side-rails integrated into the bed and address these issues in a number of different ways:

• All BaKare & Volker beds’ side rails are designed to conform to the standard BS EN 60601-2-38 Particular Requirements for the Safety of Electrically Operated Hospital Beds & BS EN 1970:2000 ’Adjustable Beds for Disabled Persons’ (when used appropriately) which specifies requirements and dimensions for bed rails intended for use by people over 12 years old.
• Volker beds’ side rails are integrated into the bed and have a load bearing capacity of 80kg (176lbs).
• Full length side-rails, as used on Volker 2082 & S280 adjustable beds may be supplied with optional side rail height extension which would effectively allow a combined mattress height of nearly 7″, allowing mattress overlays or air mattresses below this height to be used safely
• Split, 2-part side-rails, as used on Volker 3082, 5380 & S380 adjustable beds may be ordered with extra maximum height (40cm above lying surface) which would effectively allow a combined mattress height of nearly 7″, allowing mattress overlays or air mattresses below this height to be used safely

How We Can Help

Due to our close contacts within MHRA and HSE, BaKare Beds are well placed to provide advice on constraints and regulations that care providers must operate within. Our trained staff can conduct an audit of your premises and provide a report outlining recommendations with regards to safe use of side rails – in many instances we have actually saved the care homes money! BaKare operate with discretion and are happy to comply with NDA’s (Non-Disclosure Agreements) when auditing. Please contact us if you would like to speak to an expert who will be able to advise or arrange an audit.

BaKare Beds have a nationwide service team providing audit, training, service, maintenance and inspection services to many care homes and hospices across the UK. If you would like to arrange for our staff to provide an audit on your equipment and provide recommendations please contact us.

Selecting the correct adjustable bed can be a difficult decision in terms of features, functions and of course finance. This guide is designed to summarise the main points that should be considered when selecting a bed for use within a care environment.

Main Contents

• Who Are BaKare?
• What is the role of an Occupational Therapist?
• Who Are the Medical Devices Agency?
• What is an Adjustable Bed?
• Adjustable Beds – Do they make people feel better?
• What does profiling mean?
• Height Adjustability
• Wheelchair Transfers
• Improved Accessibility
• Do Adjustable Beds Assist Mobility?
• Side Rails
• Side Rails – Padding
• Side Rails – Air Mattresses
• Side Rails Profiling

Who are Bakare?

BaKare Beds’ ethos is about demonstrating responsibility & fairness to our clients & others we come into contact with, and in doing so, we try to provide high quality products and service to those in need whilst keeping prices & service levels as fair as possible. Our staff are highly trained and have excellent knowledge of different conditions and requirements where an electric height adjustable bed may be needed.

BaKare Beds are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). Implementing BHTA’s OFT approved (Office of Fair Trading) code of practice demonstrates a desire to run a business in the most ethical and professional way.

What is the role of an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists are trained to identify the most suitable and appropriate medical equipment for specific clients and take into consideration their condition and requirements. An Occupational therapists advice, guidance and support is invaluable and they will often be able to arrange a product to be evaluated prior to purchase.

Who Are the Medical Devices Agency?

The Medical Devices Agency is an executive agency of the Department Of Health. The MDA oversee the safety and quality of medical devices in the U.K. Some adjustable beds are classed as medical devices. The MDA offers exceptional advice in this area.

What is an Adjustable Bed?

The choice in adjustable beds for homecare has grown considerably over the last two decades, although they have been in used in hospital & medical care for much longer. Now widely used in homes, an adjustable bed can be adjusted to a number of different positions using a profiling lying surface, which can commonly incline the upper body and raise the lower body independently of each other.

For users with restricted mobility, the electrically controlled profiling allows them to independently position themselves in order to sit up in bed to read or watch TV, and when used with height adjustment, aids transfer into or out of the bed with less reliance on carers.

Adjustable Beds – Do they make people feel better?

Many of us, following a bad or uncomfortable nights sleep have awoken with either backache, headache, feeling tired or groggy. With conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy or Cerebral Palsy, it is easy to attribute all aches and pains to the respective condition.

However, we are equally convinced that some people, with these or similar conditions also suffer posture related pains like everyone else and it is possible to diminish or eliminate posture related pain. We cannot promise that an adjustable bed will make you feel better. It of course depends on the individual, but the best advice is to try one and see for yourself. Bakare currently run a try before you buy scheme, allowing you to sleep on one of their beds for seven days prior to purchase.

What does profiling mean?

A profiling adjustable bed allows you to sit up in bed or raise your legs at a touch of a button. Each section can be positioned independently to enable you to find your perfect position to achieve comfort, relaxation and a great nights sleep.

Profiling beds can assist with a variety of medical conditions and have been found to provide relief from arthritis, rheumatism and traditional back complaints. Some adjustable beds offer a chair or comfort position which is perfect for those that want to eat, read or relax in bed.

For illustration of profiling, please refer to the adjustable beds demonstration.

Height Adjustability

A height adjustable bed can be raised to a high height, which means that carers don’t have to bend dangerously when assisting a user. Height adjustability reduces the risk of back injury and IS now a requirement by which many social services provide home care. It also allows positioning the bed at the correct height in order to assist transfer into and out of bed with less reliance on carers. Some adjustable beds can lower themselves very close to the floor and are suitable for users at risk or falls. For extra low beds, please visit our low bed section.

Wheelchair Transfers

Adjustable height beds mean that the bed can be positioned at the correct height for wheelchair transfers. Many users find that positioning the bed at the least the same height as the wheelchair seat assists transfers, whilst others prefer to position the bed so that they drop down slightly onto it when transferring into bed, and drop down off it when transferring out of bed, especially if upper body strength is an issue.

Improved Accessibility

It is often possible to use the bed to lift you from a sitting to a standing position and vice versa, by utilising the height adjustability of an adjustable bed. This is achieved by pressing the appropriate button on the electronic handset which gently lifts you from a sitting to a standing position with the minimum of effort.

Do Adjustable Beds Assist Mobility?

Bakare Beds are designed primarily to assist mobility and offer orthopaedic comfort to those that find sleeping on a standard bed difficult, strenuous or painful. A multitude of profiling positions enables you to find the perfect position to achieve comfort and relaxation.

Side Rails

Side rails can provide safety for users from falling from bed involuntarily. Unfortunately some types of rails can prove dangerous and should be considered with the guidance of either an Occupational Therapist or the mda guide ” Safe Use Of Side Rails”.

Side Rails – Padding

Our side rails are designed to take protective padding that can be left on permanently, even when the rails are not being used. This is useful to protect users from impact injuires against hard surfaces caused for example by involuntary muscle spasms.

Side Rails – Air Mattresses

Side rails are often not high enough to cope with the depth of some air mattress, and that can obviously be a potential danger, caused by insufficient height of side rail above the mattress. This can increase the risk of the user falling over the top of the side rail and out of the bed with sometime fatal results.

We can offer triple full length side rails or extended height side split / quad rails for safe usage of deeper mattresses, compliant with HSE guidelines.

Side Rails Profiling

Some beds, such as the Volker 3082 utilise four independent side rail sections that profile in line with the lying surface of the bed frame. This means that a person who is sat up in bed will still retain protection at all times, should they be susceptible to rolling to safety frames the side.