My husband has progressed to where bed mobility on his own is no longer an option. Pressure sores were looming in his future, unless I did something to prevent it. I tried an alternating pressure air mattress topper, but that never stayed in place.
He also began having issues with being over heated in the bed, creating moisture and new possibilities for pressure sores. The need for a new mattress was paramount to protect his skin. Enter First Class Mobility!
I told them all my 'must have' features, including "fowler seating" that keeps him from bottoming out while sitting up. They recommended an Obbomed bed. After a bit of refining, we went with the OB-3600. It has inflatable side rails built into it, as that was also one of my 'must have' features, alternating pressure, lateral rotation, fowler seating setting, and adjustable bedpan area and shampoo area.
These last two areas are not that great of a feature for me. We have tried the bedpan feature, but it is uncomfortable for him. We simply do a side lying position and material to catch 'whatever comes out'.
The fowler seating is perfect for him as he is on a feeding tube and must maintain at least a 30 degree angle at all times. He never bottoms out because of this feature.
The inflatable side rails are wonderful, almost. They take up space on the surface of the bed that would be used for rolling him from side to side. They also have a manuel deflation, disconnect a hose, that isn't the easiest to put back together when I want to reinflate them. BUT they keep him safely in bed, even when he throws a leg over the side. NO entrapment or sliding off. Their plusses outweigh their negatives to me.
The lateral rotation and alternating air pressure work together in this unique design. Being able to set it to several different speeds makes it possible to find a rhythm that doesn't disturb his sleep, make him feel like he is 'on the high seas', or leave him too long in one position. Thirty minute rotation works great for us. We have not tried the increased rotation angle, as it isn't needed at present.
This bed is able to keep him comfortable, NOT over heated. The low pressure air loss built into it is able to cool the bedding I have on the bed and prevent him from getting sweaty. It doesn't cool him so much that he is cold. As we say, he is "Baby Bear; just right".
As for my sales team, I can't say enough good things about Daniel. He listened to my needs and found what not only fits now, but can grow with my husband's needs. We did run into one problem in the beginning with choosing a bed that didn't actually fit my frame, but Daniel noticed the problem early on. When I changed models, there was a price difference, leaving me with a balance to pay, but Daniel was able to get that waved, due to the original recommendation not being appropriate.
Our bed arrived quickly and was fairly easy to set up all by myself. I'm 62 and not in perfect shape. I was tired afterwards, but I DID IT!
After the sale was completed, I was offered an extended warranty on my purchase, which I always take advantage of. Daniel helped me through the registration process, as they wanted information I didn’t have.
I hope this bed last the rest of my husband’s life. It is sturdy and even strong enough for me to stand on it and pull him up.
Thanks First Class Mobility, Daniel, and Obbomed. I have hope for no skin breakdown and comfort for my husband and myself.
