| Getting Out of Bed - Bed Handle Offers Mild to Moderate Assistance | |
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| 5 Questions to Ask |
- Does the bed handle securely attached to the bed frame? The type of bed handle you choose is important, as certain types are safer than others.
- Some models clamp on or bolt to a metal bed frame.
- Others attach to a wooden board that is sandwiched between the mattress and box spring and strapped to the bed frame. We do not recommend this type as it relies solely on the person's weight to keep the handle in place and could pull away or be pulled out by the care receiver if agitated.
- Can the handle support your care receiver's weight? Many are rated for a maximum weight of 150 to 250 pounds, but they're not designed to support the full weight of an individual.
- Does the person enters or exit the bed from either side? For safety, consider installing two handles, one for each side of the bed.
- Are any openings big enough for a person to mistakenly put his/her head through? If so, do not purchase, as entrapment can be serious.
- Is there someone to monitor the bed handle on an ongoing basis?
- The handle should be against the side of the mattress, without any gaps. Regularly check to see that the mattress hasn't shifted during usage because the person could become wedged in between the mattress and the handle.
- The handle should be securely attached to the bed. Regularly check to make sure it hasn't loosened or, if it was temporarily removed for some reason, that it has been securely put back on.
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