Low bed recommendations, maybe adjustable as hard to know what's needed

[Scrapeagle]

I'd really welcome some help with MIL. She's not that old (late 70s) but has sort of ... disintegrated recently. She's not looking after herself, medication taking is erratic, not eating, sleeping on the sofa, basically it's all gone wrong. Mood and confidence rock bottom. She's lived alone for 10 years.

There is a carer coming in daily but we are 300 miles away. The issue I'm seeking your help on is the sleep thing as oh so many other things (medication review etc) are also in train.

Her bed is too high to get in and out of with a bad knee, so she's sleeping on the sofa. Probably badly. Does anyone have a recommendation for a bed which is height adjustable and starts very low? She's too frail to go trying beds in a shop and would not like the upheaval of getting one which was wrong. Money not too much of an issue.

DH and SIL are doing lots and I thought I could help with this one aspect. If she slept well maybe things would improve, or at least stabilise. Possibly a forlorn hope and sheltered housing etc is being explored.

Anyway, all thoughts welcome. It's hard and we're not sure what to do. The care agency are good but no social care assessment so far, although I think that may have to change. It's so hard to know what the right things to do are!

I would ask GP to refer to NHS community occupational therapists for an assessment. You'd probably get an OT assessment as part of the social care assessment but no harm being on both lists.

If the OT doesnt come through with a suitable bed, look on Facebook market place etc for a profiling bed. These are like hospital beds. We got a really nice Opera brand one that doesn’t look too much like a hospital bed for £200. Often these get bought very late and then little usage. They are incredibly heavy to move even in parts.

An OT assessment sounds like a great idea, thanks!

Does a hospital bed go low? It's a long time since I was in hospital ( a looong time) but my memory is of them being very high. But Gumtree is my favourite place so I'll scout about. Thank you!

The Opera beds have a vast range of heights - certainly the one we got for my mum goes to knee height. She puts if very low to get in and then raises it up to sleep and get out.

Low hospital bed. Goes down really low so a person can sit at normal height take the bed down to put legs onto.
Physio may be worth a go there could be knee exercises or brace which may help. OT can also assess bed transfers. Sometimes a small step can help but depends on risks etc (trip hazard). There are also leg lifters manual and electric.

Does anyone have any good recommendations on adjustable beds? I’m on the lookout but don’t know where to start.