Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking to enhance patient care or an individual navigating the complexities of medical equipment, this guide aims to provide you with everything you need to know about profiling beds, allowing you to make informed decisions and improve the quality of care delivery.
Profiling beds typically offer several features designed to enhance patient comfort, assist caregivers, and accommodate medical needs. Here are some of the main features:
A key feature found on profiling beds is height adjustment, enabling smoother transfers to and from the bed. This feature means that the bed’s height can be raised or lowered to the floor to accommodate the needs of patients and caregivers.
For patients, profiling beds are lowered to reduce the risk of injury for the patient if they accidentally fall off the bed. And for carers, the adjustable height enables them to raise the bed to a comfortable height to allow them to, for example, provide care for the patient or change bedding, without needing to over-exert their back, reducing the risk of hurting or injuring themselves.
Height adjustment mechanisms on profiling beds also often include safety features such as locking mechanisms to secure the bed at the desired height and sensors to detect obstructions or uneven surfaces.
Another key component of a profiling bed is the adjustable backrest, which allows the patient to comfortably sit up in bed at the ideal angle. By this we mean, the backrest of a profiling bed can be adjusted to various angles, allowing patients to sit up or recline according to their comfort and medical needs.
Electric profiling bed models feature an auto-regression backrest that prevents the back mattress segment from sliding down the bed, keeping the patient in place and comfortable at all times.
If the individual using the profiling bed will be spending a large portion of their time in the same bed, then it’s a good idea to opt for a bed that features the Fowler (chair) position.
This feature means that the bed can adjust the leg and foot section to tilt below a horizontal line, (similarly to a chair), allowing the patient to sit up comfortably with their upper body at a 45 to 60-degree angle relative to the bed’s surface.
From respiratory support to easier eating and digestion to improved social interaction, chair functions in profiling beds, adds total versatility to the bed.
As an additional safety precaution, many profiling beds often come with adjustable side rails to prevent patients from accidentally rolling out of bed. These rails can be raised for safety and lowered for ease of access.
If required, you can also opt to include additional bed bumpers for peace of mind.
When shopping around and scouring the internet for profiling beds, you will most likely also come across ‘adjustable beds’. But what’s the difference, and how can you determine which is right for you?
At a glance, adjustable beds and profiling beds might seem similar, but they serve a number of different purposes and are in fact very different.
When it comes to the design and look of the bed, adjustable beds are a little more like a standard bed, and are commonly used in residential settings. They are also often available in a variety of designs to fit in with your existing décor. Our Opera Motion Divan Adjustable Bed is available in both linen and anthracite, allowing you to choose the material and colour to suit your individual taste.
A profiling bed on the other hand can appear more purpose-built for a care environment, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centres. They are specifically engineered to address the needs of patients with mobility issues, chronic illnesses, or those who require assistance with daily activities.
Another key difference is the variety of different positions. While adjustable beds allow users to electronically or manually adjust various sections of the bed, including the head and foot sections, profiling beds offer a wider range of adjustments and functionalities.
Not only do profiling beds allow you to adjust the head and foot sections, they also feature functions such as height adjustment and knee break adjustment. Our Opera Solo Comfort Floor Bed has an auto-regression backrest to prevent stomach compression when sitting up in bed and has an electric foot/leg raiser for comfort and support.
As mentioned previously in the blog, profiling beds are equipped with various safety features such as adjustable side rails to prevent falls, battery backup systems to ensure continued operation during power outages, and pressure-relieving mattresses to prevent pressure ulcers. As adjustable beds are commonly used in residential bedrooms to enhance comfort, safety features are unneeded.
Whether you’re looking for an adjustable bed for your own home or 20 profiling beds for your care home, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with our friendly team today on +0800 933 0389.
Profiling beds offer an abundance of benefits, particularly in healthcare settings, due to their specialised design and versatility.
With so many profiling beds on the market, it can be a little overwhelming when choosing the right one for your patients. To help you with your decision, we have compiled a list of our top 4 profiling beds from reputable manufacturers and models which are known for their quality, durability, and advanced features.
The Cadence Premium bed is a luxurious and elegant bed frame that boasts a curved headboard and low curved footboard, both accented with stylish side skirts.
The bed is designed to be used with split side rails, which can be added as optional extras, providing enhanced support and customisation options to meet individual needs.
The Apollo Saturn Rotate is an electrically powered rotating profiling chair bed that offers greater independence and mobility to a person who is weight bearing but struggles to transfer unassisted between standing and sitting.
For those needing extra assistance getting in and out of bed, this is perfect. Its thoughtful design takes the difficulty and anxiety out of standing up, sitting down, and repositioning throughout the day or night.
Additional key features include:
Learn more about the Apollo Saturn Rotate Bed in this YouTube video:
Ideal for children and small adults, the Lisclare Junior Profiling Bed is a safe sleeping space which conforms to the latest paediatric bed standard BS EN 50637:2017.
Key features include:
The Opera Signature Profiling Bed is an elegantly styled and functional bed, ideal for comfort and support at home. The Signature is pleasantly designed to look unobtrusive and homely, and the fully-wooden surround can be specified in either an Oak or Walnut finish, depending on your design preferences.
The Signature makes it easier to get on and off the bed by having an extensive height range. The whole bed raises up to your preferred height and lowers close to ground level. The Signature has a profiling mattress platform for you to find the perfect position by elevating the back and leg rest sections.
Shop our complete range of bespoke profiling beds here.
We are HWB Mobility – an independent family run business specialising in bespoke motion furniture, pressure care & disability equipment. All our riser recliner chair and adjustable bed prices include delivery, installation and a demonstration, ensuring you’re delighted with everything about your purchase.
Whether you’re looking to find out more about a particular product range, or if you’re simply in need of some friendly advice, get in touch via info@hwbmobility.co.uk or +0800 933 0389.
For more tips and industry insights, check out our mobility blog.
