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With the cost of care homes rapidly rising and limited local authority places, it's expected that families will care for their own in old age and/or disablement.
Well, as much as I don't want to be ditched once I've served my use, we must be realistic and come to realise just what this care will entail from our children and how it would affect the rest of the family if we are able to move in with our children or other family members.
Most of our children would not have the space for an extra long term resident.
Being able to create that space with an extension, annex or moving into larger premises etc may not be an option for many.
Those of us that can pay will have to pay one way or the other.
Whether we choose, or have to opt, for a Residential Care Home, move in with our family or we are able to 'Live Independently' in our own homes, we as individuals are now able to exercise a lot more choice on where we buy the services and equipment that are required.
Standards have now risen to where we can all have the choice of adopting a 'best value' approach rather than just the 'Lowest Priced' option.
A less expensive option to a Care Home For those of us that are able to either stay in our own home or move in with our family there are many products available that will make life a lot more comfortable and safer for us, our carers and make us much more independently competent.
Electrically Adjustable Beds/Euro Design Bed A Home Caring Bed (Profiling Bed) may be the answer to many people's needs.
An Electrical Profiling Bed comes in many different guises and has a spectrum of uses.
Whether you suffer from Chronic Back Pain, are Disabled or just getting Older and feeling more 'Fragile', there will be a bed to suit your condition.
For many kinds of disabilities, Back Pain, Age Related Ailments such as sleeping in a comfortable raised position, normal aches and pains associated with arthritis in the earlier stages, then an Electric adjustable bed such as the Euro Design Bed will allow independent adjustment of the sleeping platform to any of the three sections allowing for comfortable positioning of your back, shoulders, neck, calves and feet.
This in turn means that you can achieve the right amount of support and comfort for watching TV, reading, writing, eating a meal or just relaxing.
With the ability to be able to remotely adjust the sleeping platform yourself whilst still lying in bed will benefit those of us that have to spend some longer periods in bed.
People who suffer from back and joint pain, as well as circulatory problems will find these beds beneficial.
The beds are also ideal for people with certain types of disabilities, especially in the early stages.
Beds such as these, The Euro Design Bed for instance do not have any safety rails or height adjustment in most cases so before opting for this type of bed you must consider the amount of care, help and attention that may be needed as well as time likely to be spent in bed, if not now but at a later date.
These beds come in a variety of sizes including a double and King size with two separately adjustable mattress platforms.
As with any purchase of this kind I would recommend that you or a family member (who may well become your carer later) consult with your GP, Consultant, Case Worker or Occupational Therapist before purchasing these products so as to ensure that the correct one is bought...
Medical Beds for Home Care.
There are many beds on the market that are more highly specified than the normal Electrical Adjustable bed.
These beds Home Care Nursing Beds are suited to an individual within their own home, or indeed a residential home and, as with most of these beds, offer independence to those with limited mobility.
Most beds within this range come with fully adjustable three section mattress platform adjustable via a cordless infra-red handset, allowing for comfortable positioning of your back, shoulders, neck, calves and feet.
All of these types of Home Care Beds have the option of fitting various styles of head and foot boards in various colour ways.
As well as this they can all accommodate side rails for safety, stability and easier movement.
Lifting poles are available so that various accessories can be fitted.
A lifting pole with the additional grab handle gives you or those within your care the added independence of being able to help them when manoeuvring within the bed.
There are fitments for IV Poles, bag and jar holders; in fact these beds can be used by people with the majority of disabilities as well as the elderly and frail.
It is worth remembering that some of these beds also come in various widths and lengths, including a double size so that that a person's carer/spouse can also sleep close along side.
Low Beds and Ultra Low Beds Ultra low beds are available which can go as low as 7 inches from the floor.
These Ultra Low Profiling Beds are used for patients with server confusion who are restless in bed.
Also someone who may suffer from Alzheimer's, Dementia or Parkinson's Disease would often benefit from one of these beds.
The Ultra Low Bed means that the person is so close to the floor that a fall would not injure them.
It also means that the care giver can raise the patient up to a suitable height when in-bed care is necessary, which means they do not have to work at floor level as often used to be the case.
Adjustable height models make it easier for caregivers to change bedding and provide patient care without straining their backs.
However, if the person has been known to become confused, it is best to use a non-adjustable low bed or ultra low bed, or to just remove the remote so as to avoid injuries.
Low beds for medical use in the home are available in a variety of lengths and sizes to suit children and adults of varying heights and sizes.
Most low beds use standard Hospital type Mattresses.
There are many kinds of special Mattresses for Medical use including, Low-Air-Loss Mattresses available to Prevent Pressure Sores.
Sit and Rise Beds, Multi-positional Rotoflex Bed The uses for a sit and rise multi-positional bed applies to all illnesses and disabilities where a person does not have freedom of movement to stand up from a lying or sitting position either with or without help.
This could be because of suffering from joint problems, decreasing muscle strength or pain and persons mobilisation needs may not only over tax the patient but also may physically harm the carers own health.
It can be used for the following conditions: Rheumatic Symptoms, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, Hemi, Para and Tetraplegia.
Apallic Syndrome.
Four powerful, reliable motors lift you gently to the edge of the bed at the press of a button.
Sitting up and sitting on the edge of the bed can be difficult and painful if you have limited mobility.
This bed moves you from the reclining position to a sitting position on the edge of the bed totally un-aided.
You are now ready to stand up or to move, for example to wheelchair.
The benefits of this type of bed are many, again these beds come in many differing sizes and finishes to fit around home decor, patients weight and also again, as a double bed.
Cots for Disabled Children There are many products for the younger, handicapped and disabled population, with special cots just the tip of the ice berg.
There are cots available to suit children from the infant stages up to, and through the teenage years.
All cots and beds should be able to the meet the needs of the child and carer as well.
Most will now come in attractive and contemporary designs so as to compliment the surroundings.
Many safety elements are built in to prevent falls and injury.
There are cots with high sides for taller or more active children.
Special Therapeutic beds which are specially designed for children who benefit from having their head in a raised or lowered position.
There are cots for adults with special needs as well as children.
Every conceivable accessory from bumpers, loose or integrated, crash mats, to nursing couches.
Virtually all cots on the market are now wooden panelled and doweled with many able to be customised to accommodate any requirements.
It is always advisable to ask for advice from an Occupational Therapist, GP, Case Worker or Consultant before purchasing any of these products to ensure that the correct one is purchased.
As with all products now available for adults as well as children, they all Must comply with the relevant EU standards regulations and will carry the appropriate certified markings.
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