When Should a Bed Be Extended?
A bed should be extended when the person lying in it is too tall for a standard bed— if their feet touch the end or they cannot lie comfortably. Bed extensions are typically used for very tall individuals. Since the internal length of a Harvest bed is 2 metres (6.56 feet), a person up to approximately 1.9 metres (6.3 feet) should fit comfortably, depending on the proportions of their legs to torso.
When assessing a person for a bed extension, ensure their hips are aligned with the bed’s bending point (where it adjusts into a seated position), and raise the backrest. If their feet reach the end of the bed in this position, the bed is too short, and an extension is required. If the bed has been previously extended for another resident but an extension is no longer needed, it should be returned to standard length.
Harvest Healthcare offers beds with a built-in mattress extension, allowing for easy adjustment between lengths.
Where Should a Mattress Extension Be Positioned?
There is often confusion about where to place a mattress extension— some believe it belongs at the foot end, others at the head. In fact, the correct position is at the head end of the bed. Mattress extensions do not offer pressure relief and can pose a pressure risk to the heels if placed at the foot end.
To ensure full support for the pillow, the depth of the mattress extension must match the depth of the mattress. At Harvest Healthcare, all our mattresses and mattress extensions are 20 cm deep to provide consistent support.
The most common reason for incorrect placement at the foot of the bed is that mattress extensions tend to shift or fall off when the backrest is raised. To solve this, Harvest Healthcare now offers a strapped mattress extension that secures directly to the mattress platform, preventing movement during repositioning.
For orders and further advice, please contact our customer service team.
| Product Code | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| HFIM2016S | 900mm x 200mm x 160mm |
| HFIM2016.12S | 1200mm x 200mm x 160mm |
