Reduced Mobility Can Lead to Prolonged Periods in Bed

Many medical conditions lead to people having to spend long periods in bed. While this may be necessary for recovery, it presents practical problems requiring solutions.

Equipment to Consider

If going to and from the bathroom is difficult and incontinence is an issue, products like bed pads, bed pans and portable urinals come into their own.

Pads of various types are available and offer different degrees of absorbency. They work by absorbing liquid away from the skin, protecting the user and the mattress. Many modern bed pads are disposable, but washable versions are still available. These are an economic option for long-term use.

Disability aids like bed pans are available, some with a ‘slipper’ design. These slide beneath the user’s body while they remain in bed. These are wedge shaped, making them relatively easy to position. While still somewhat uncomfortable to use, they provide an option if it is impossible to get out of bed at all.

Other more bulky designs of pan require more mobility to use. Realistically, all bed pans require someone’s help in order to dispose of their contents and keep clean for reuse.

Portable urinals are available with special openings designed for either a man or a woman. They usually have lids, make it easier to dispose of the contents of without spills. It is important to clean them thoroughly when in regular use.

Commodes are another option, but these require the user to have the capacity to move from bed into a chair. Various types are available, including those will look like regular pieces of furniture and blend in with the room.

Others have wheels, so the user can travel to the bathroom, if necessary. These models tend to look less like regular pieces of furniture but are practical and robust.

The impact of staying in bed for long periods with little movement can also stretch to pressure ulcers. Also knows as bed sores, these can be painful and difficult to treat.

Special pressure mattresses, cushions and pads are available to help limit any damage to the skin. Fleece bed socks, elbow pads and knee pads may also make a positive difference. They protect the skin in bony parts of the body, reducing the chance of sores developing.

Other handy disability aids for the bedroom are over-bed tables. These slide across the bed, providing a stable platform for plates, drinks or any other item the person needs. These tables are usually height adjustable and easy to wipe clean. Most models have wheels, while some have legs which slide under the bed. This type is useful for divan beds, if there is only a small clearance gap at floor level.

Many conditions which leave one bed-bound for long periods also have their effect in the bathroom. If the individual is mobile enough to reach the bathroom, it is important to correctly equip it for their use.

Getting in and out of the bath might be impossible, so a shower might be the only option. Even then it may become hard to stand up for its duration without support.

If this is the case, a shower seat might be the answer. They are available in fold-down or free-standing models with three or four legs.

A shower seat with four legs is usually much more stable. This makes them safer to use in a cubicle or a wet room. Non-slip feet on the base of each leg make the stool less likely to slip. Models which fold up against the wall are useful for saving space. They are ideal if the shower are is relatively small or used by other people.

It is important to select a shower seat designed specifically for use in the wet. These will have non-slip feet as well as non-rust parts, ensure stains do not become a problem. Most have easy-drain patterns on the seat itself, ensuring water rapidly runs away. This means the user is less likely to slip.

Derry has been working in the mobility aids industry since 2003, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Before Essential Aids, Derry's background was in engineering. In his spare time he is a devotee of yoga and rare reggae vinyl.