For elderly patients, getting out of bed every morning can be an onerous task. Much the same can be said about middle-aged people, even children, who have suffered injury that rendered them physically crippled or left them in a weakened state. In any case, they need an ever-present attendant or nurse to help them up every time they awake, every time they need to relieve themselves, every time they eat and, well, practically every time they want something. Unfortunately, caregivers can't always be there. In those instances when help isn't around, having medical beds grips is the next best alternative.
Medical beds grips are crutch-sized handrails attached to the side of the bed, near the arm, that serve as support sticks for patients attempting to get up. The larger part, the handle portion, is often made of sturdy metal that is able to support the weight of an average-sized person. The handle is attached to two other parts: a padding that is placed beneath the bedding and an extension that reaches down to the floor for further support. Medical bed grips, if installed correctly, provide complete support for patients.
Installing medical beds grips
Setting up the bed grips is surprisingly easy. There is no need for extra tools and equipment, and no need for complex instructions, for that matter. The grip is attached to a flat padding—sometimes made of bent steel rods to form a flat plane—that is inserted between the bed and the mattress. The weight of the mattress and the person lying on top of it keeps the padding in place. Therefore, the hand grip gets all the support it needs to be steady.
Additionally, an adjustable extension of the hand grip reaches to the floor to counter the downward force when the patient leans on the hand grip. As the patient tries to get up, the weight of the body pushes against the mattress, against the padding, thereby applying more restraint to the hand grip's movement. Given that restraint, the grip will not sway or tumble when the patient presses against it.
Benefits of medical beds grips
Medical beds grips are very useful for elderly patients who require constant attention. But besides that, there are also other instances when bed grips can help other patients. The following is a list of some of the situations where the patients can benefit from bed grips:
- Every morning, for elderly people at home who can't employ the services of private caregivers
- Elderly people at home who live alone, but are now suffering the effects of aging
- Elderly patients in hospitals who are still strong enough to be actively moving around
- Elderly hospital "residents" who don't really require constant watch from nurses
- Patients of all ages who have just recently undergone medical operations
- Patients of all ages that have been crippled after an accident, and are presently recovering
- Patients with bone injuries, and are currently undergoing therapy
- Patients with minor injuries, but are advised to rest in bed for awhile