Charlotte Walker, BOT

How do I know which high-sided bed is most suitable?

A question Medifab often hears from families and therapists is: ‘What are the key differences between the Safe Surround and Safespaces products? At first glance, the beds in each range might look quite similar, but there are some important differences in their design and functionality. Understanding these differences is essential to make sure you’re choosing the right model for your family member or client.

To make this process a little easier, we’ve put together a simple table below that highlights the key features of each range, so you and your AT prescriber can confidently decide which option is best suited to your needs.

High-Sided Bed Comparison Chart:

Safe Surround Genie Bed Safe Surround Plus Bed Safespace Safespace Hi-Lo Voyager Cosyfit Cosyfit Hi-Lo
Type of bed Height adjustable bed Height adjustable bed Soft, flexible room Height adjustable bed Travel bed High-sided bed Height adjustable bed
How tall are the sides on the bed/room? 98cm 135 or 170cm 169 cm 113 cm 161 cm 107, 122 or 147 cm 107, 122 or 147 cm
Is the bed/room full enclosed? No No Yes Yes Yes No No
Does the bed have clearance underneath? Yes No No Yes No No Yes
Does the bed have hi-lo functionality? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes
Does the sleep surface have profiling functionality? (e.g. head raise, knee break) Yes Yes No No No No Yes
Can the panels open on both sides of the bed? Yes No Custom specification at time of Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can you add padding to the panels and the rails? Yes Yes All Safespaces beds come standard with soft sides – no sharp edges or solid surfaces are within of the user.

 

The assessment process is super helpful for figuring out which features are important, and which aren’t as necessary. Setting clear goals can make it easier to narrow down your options and find the perfect bed for family member’s needs.

Height – Adjustable Genie Bed. 

Who might be suitable for each type of bed?

Safe Surround Genie Bed:

  • People with higher physical support needs, where caregivers may need easy access to both sides of the bed for personal care.
  • Parents who use wheelchairs or caregivers who need mobile transfer equipment, thanks to the Genie Bed’s under-bed clearance for easier access.

Safe Surround Plus Bed:

  • Individuals who may be at risk of climbing over high bed railings, as the bed can be customised with doors up to 170 cm for added safety.

Safespace:

  • People with complex needs including autism, epilepsy and behaviours of concern.

Safespace Hi-Lo:

  • Individuals with complex needs and limited mobility. Its durable design accommodates individuals who may engage in thrashing, pushing, kicking, or self-injurious behaviours.
  • Sealed, waterproof edges provide protection against incontinence and smearing.
  • Those at risk of climbing over the sides can benefit from the added safety of the mesh ceiling.

Cosyfit:

  • People with mobility and complex needs including autism, epilepsy, behaviours of concern and learning difficulties. Its robust design makes it suitable for those who rock, thrash, push or kick.

Cosyfit Hi-Lo:

  • Individuals with limited mobility who require personal or nursing care. It provides a safe sleep environment with the flexibility of a height adjustable platform providing a comfortable working height for carers.

Voyager:

  • People with complex needs including autism, epilepsy, behaviours of concern and learning difficulties. This can include those who are uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings or those are used to a Safespace at home

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always here to listen and help guide you and your AT advisor in selecting the bed that best fits your needs, goals, and requirements.

 

What international standards do the beds meet?

Safe Surround beds:

  • DIN EN 32623:2002 – Children’s hospital beds made of metal and plastics
  • DIN EN 1970:2000 – Adjustable beds for disabled persons
  • DIN EN 60601-2-28:2001 – Medical electrical equipment, Section 2-38: specific safety regulations for electrically operated hospital beds
  • DIN EN 60601-1:1996 – Medical electrical equipment, Section 1 General safety regulations

Safespaces beds:

  • Each SafeSpace product compiles with various standards and regulations that differs between each SafeSpaces product. Refer to technical specifications on the SafeSpaces website to find out the specific standards compliance for each product.

The Safespace Hi-Lo

Preparing Your Environment for a Perfect Fit

Along with choosing a solution that meets the person’s needs or goals, it’s just as important to think about the space where it will be used. We want to make sure it fits perfectly and works smoothly in the environment when it’s delivered or set up!

Some things to think about are:

 

  • The Ceiling Height: Standard ceilings are 2.4m, but many homes have lower ceilings. Air conditioners, ceiling fans or pendant lights may need to be moved before delivery and set up. A laser measure is the easiest way to get an accurate ceiling height – these are available in hardware stores.
  • Overall Footprint: Think about how the bed will be used day-to-day. For instance, will both sides need to be accessible? For example, the overall footprint of the Genie Bed when its doors are open, so it’s not suitable to use against a wall. It’s a good idea to check for obstacles that may prevent the door from fully opening, like wardrobe doors. Ensure there’s enough room for caregivers to easily access both sides for personal care or transfers.
  • Minimum Clearance Requirements: For Safespace beds, it’s essential to meet the minimum clearance requirements for the front/back panels and head/foot panels. These vary depending on the option selected. You can find all the details on our website or the Safespaces website.
  • Clearing the Room Ahead of Delivery: Safe Surround and SafeSpace beds (except the SafeSpaces Voyager) are assembled in the room where they’ll be used. Ensure the existing bed is removed beforehand; scheduling delivery in the afternoon can give you time to clear the room in the morning. Check for tight hallways or corners that might obstruct moving large bed parts into the room. If your home has stairs or a lift, it’s best to let us know ahead of delivery so we can get the information we need to ensure a smooth delivery.

Mattress and Linen: If you’re considering a Safe Surround bed, it’s important to note that the mattress dimensions are non-standard since they are imported from overseas. This means they’re slightly between an Australian single and king single size. To ensure the best fit, we provide a mattress option tailored to the bed’s dimensions. We also recommend using king single bed linen to guarantee a perfect match.

 

Missed Part One of this series? Read it here. 

Read Part Three to learn some tips for completing NDIS Assistive Technology applications for High-Sided beds.

 

Download this article!
Medifab Guide - Navigating Funding & Choosing the Right High-Sided Bed 0.71 MB
Disclaimer: This information is provided for professional use only, and as a general resource for clinicians and suppliers. It is not intended to be used as, or as a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Clinicians should rely on their own professional medical training when providing medical advice or treatment, and should consult a range of different information sources before making decisions about the diagnosis or treatment of any person. Your use or reliance on this information is at your own risk.