Falling and staying asleep at night can be difficult for anyone, but it can become especially challenging for adults dealing with any sort of disorder, including autism, Down syndrome, Angelman’s syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, and cerebral palsy. That’s why special needs beds for adults, like our fully enclosed beds, are so important.
By offering a safe, secure, and soothing sleep environment, a special needs bed can improve the quality of life for your loved one by:
- Preventing nighttime wandering
- Preventing dangerous falls from the bed
- Preventing picking and eating caused by pica
- Promoting restful, restorative sleep
- Reducing distracting stimulation from the rest of the room, house, or outside
More importantly, a special needs bed is designed to provide the unique blend of comfort and durability your loved one requires, and they’re available with a variety of special features. Better yet, many of these special needs beds can be covered by insurance.
Considerations When Picking A Special Needs Bed for An Adult
When browsing special needs beds for adults, consider these factors to ensure you pick the perfect model:
1. How sturdy is the bed’s design?
It’s not just the weight of the adult to consider. Their strength is also a factor. If they self-harm, manage pica, or attempt to shake or tip the bed while they’re alone, they could seriously injure themselves. Finding a sturdy bed that can withstand heavy use from an adult and straps into place can protect your loved one from harm.
2. Are the bed and its accessories easily washable?
Special needs beds become dirty from regular use, but they’re also more likely to be soiled from bodily waste. Some special needs bed manufacturers promote their beds as washable, but they often require a technician’s assistance or complete disassembly of the bed. Beds like The Safety Sleeper®, however, are designed so that the mattress can be quickly removed and the enclosure and over surfaces can be slipped into the washing machine. While selecting a bed, ensure it’s made of a durable, washable material to simplify cleaning and sterilization.
3. Is the bed mobile?
Mobility is important on two different levels. First, consider whether you need a bed that can be easily transported from one room to another within a single home or living facility. Second, consider whether the bed should also accommodate long trips to homes, hotels, or hospitals in other cities. If the ability to travel is important, pick a bed that folds away easily for transportation.
4. Can the bed be electronically manipulated?
Electric beds can simplify moving the mattress to help your loved one achieve greater comfort before bedtime, throughout the night, and even during the day. By moving the head or feet up or down, you can account for different physical ailments to deliver enhanced care.
5. Is the bed height adjustable?
Bed height is important for two reasons:
- It dictates how easily your loved one can get in and out, especially if they use a wheelchair or lift. A bed that is low to the ground or on the floor, for example, is an excellent choice for individuals with an unsteady gait or young children.
- It dictates how easily you can offer support when they’re in the bed. If the bed is close to the ground, you may have to bend over or kneel, both of which can be damaging to your body over time and prevent you from offering the level of care you want to provide.
Finding a bed that is equally supportive for your loved one and any caregivers is critical in the bed’s long-term use.
6. Does the special needs bed offer an enclosure?
Many special needs safety beds come with sidewalls to discourage wandering and prevent falls from rolling out, but some also offer a breathable roof to prevent climbing while offering a greater sense of security. This can be extra beneficial to adults with autism. An exclosure can also reduce the inherent dangers in high-sided beds, which adventurous individuals can climb and potentially fall from.
7. What is the mattress made from?
As an adult, your loved one isn’t as malleable as a child, so a comfortable mattress is even more important! Many special needs beds come with memory foam mattresses featuring pressure-relieving designs that are comfortable all night long, and some even offer companion air mattresses to assist in travel.
8. Are there any entrapment points that could harm your loved one?
If your loved one likes to roll around or shift while sleeping, beware of entrapment points—physical barriers that could trap your loved one while in bed. In a traditional hospital bed, for example, a patient could become trapped between a railing and the bed itself, rendering them unable to move until help arrives.
9. How many points of entry are available for entering and exiting the bed?
Many standard special needs beds are accessible from only one side of the bed, but you may desire multiple points of entry, especially if multiple people administer medical care to your loved one at the same time. To help, some special needs beds for adults offer access from two or more sides of the bed.
10. How many access points are available for medical intervention?
If your loved one requires a special feeding tube, an IV drip, or any other sort of wires or tubing, small access points within the structure of the bed can prevent tangling and simplify medical treatment.
Find a Special Needs Bed Perfect For Your Loved One
We offer a variety of fully enclosed beds, like the 200 Model of The Safety Sleeper®, for adults. Each bed is carefully assembled by hand to meet your exact specifications, all to ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy a full night of sleep.
If you have questions about the designs or payment options, contact us. We offer a variety of payment options and plans, and we can even help you coordinate with your insurance company for additional financial assistance.
