This might be a daft answer but why not just raise the chair to a more
suitable height. I am guessing he has a hoist, he will need one if he has a
bed!
If you are worried about stability, bolt the chair to the "packing piece"
and give it outriggers or bolt it down to the floor. Alternatively an
electromechanical or hydraulic lifting platform would allow it to go up and
down.
Best regards,
Geoff
G.J.Harbach I.Eng MIED IIPEM RegBHTA
Clinical Technologist
Department of Health Care Science
West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre
91 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak
Birmingham, B29 6JA
Tel 0121 627 1627 Ext 53245
-----Original Message-----
From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Taylor, Barry
Sent: 10 December 2007 10:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: profiling beds
Dear all
Please excuse the cross posting.
I am dealing with a long term Motor Neurone Disease patient living at home.
His only movement is slight lateral movement of the head, with which he
operates a jelly bean on a multi-adjustable mount or an IST proximity switch
to operate environmental control & computer. He is also using eyegaze.
The switches are mounted on to the wing of a recliner chair which was
specially constructed with built in ripple mattress & is used 24/7.
We now have the problem that carers are finding the chair too low and would
like to move him into a profiling bed. He is very resistant to this, being
worried about slipping down the bed and losing contact with the switches
(his lifeline). I have also found problems when attaching a head switch to
a bed in that it is difficult to keep the switch at the same position
relative to the head, when the bed is adjusted.
1. Is there a definitive paper, which says "if you use head raise
with knee raise, you don't slip down"?
2. Does anyone have ideas about why the switches move relative to
the head in a bed but not a chair? Is it something to do with the hinge
mechanics, or thickness of mattress?
3. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Barry
Barry Taylor, Clinical Scientist
Medical Physics Department
Tulley Medical Physics Building, Hull Royal Infirmary
Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ
Tel 01482 675928, fax 01482 675750
[log in to unmask]
NHS Innovations Competition Yorkshire and Humber 2007 finalist
***************************
|