Re: Help getting out of bed

Jackie

I agree with Barrie that you should consider speaking to an occupational therapist. You should have access to an ‘independent living centre’, where you can drop in for advice, and I suggest that you google this phrase for your area or search the site for your local council. The solution may not be technological, but an example that does not involve getting a new bed is,

http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/view_product.php?prodID=6859

regards

Jeremy

Jackie

I’d recommend seeing an Occupational Therapist first, as there are lots of low tech strategies that might help, before going down this road.  Apologies if you are an OT or you’ve done that already.

A recent client was singing the praises of IKEA electrical beds which enabled them to have one side electrical & one side standard & at what they thought was a good price.  I couldn’t give any recommendation.

Don’t forget that you need two separate mattresses.  If you put a lifter under one half of a double mattress it tips the other occupant out of bed.

-----Original Message-----
From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:ASSISTECH@...] On Behalf Of Jackie Champion
Sent: 30 June 2009 09:44
To: ASSISTECH@...
Subject: Help getting out of bed

Hi

My mother has osteoarthritis in her spine and is suddenly finding that on occasion she is unable to get out of bed without help from my father. Occasionally they sleep separately due to her back problems which keep them both awake. This can cause problems for her in the middle of the night if she needs to get up and is alone.

I’m pretty sure there are beds/adaptations to beds out there with remote controls which will ‘sit you up’. Ideally I want to find one that will fit a double bed but do only her side (or both sides independently).

This is my first foray into this area and so I haven’t visited Disability North yet although I intend to. However, some direction would be greatly received.

Many thanks