Name: Jon Beck
Client challenges: Brain injury
Solution: Rotoflex 200 Mk2 with RoHo mattress
Ex-soldier Jon with brain injury discovers remarkable rehabilitation value of award-winning Rotoflex rotating bed from Theraposture
Jon finds his Rotoflex extremely comfortable and supportive.
Retired soldier Jon Beck, 32 from Redhill, Surrey, has been able to leave QEF care and return home through the physiotherapeutic benefits of a leading Theraposture turning bed.
Lance Corporal Jon served in the Army for 12 years with active service around the world including Afghanistan, following which he set up his own tree surgery business. Jon maintained his fitness and army training so that he could remain a soldier reservist. Jon made a success of his new career until five
years later when he experienced a fall which resulted in a life changing brain injury. He was in a coma for 18 months after falling from a tree and now lives with limited mobility and reduced cognitive abilities. Jon’s Rotoflex bed has played a major part in his rehabilitation and ongoing comfort.
His care pathway following discharge from Kings College Hospital involved residential care at the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) in Carshalton, South London.
Our Rotoflex demonstrates therapeutic qualities with its multi-purpose capabilities – empowering Jon to learn and improve to the best of his ability
Jon was cared for by a specialist team that focused on rebuilding Jon’s abilities with a view to returning him back to the community.
This therapy plan aimed to increase his mobility through enablement however it was more challenging than anticipated with a three-year programme ensuing. The introduction of a power-assisted rotating Rotoflex bed proved a turning point in Jon’s road to recovery.
At the QEF, Jon received full time care however he was determined to return back to his family home as soon as possible. His mother Sheila had purchased a new spacious house which was suitable for Jon’s needs and the family began the process of installing assistive equipment and adaptations.
Once Jon had achieved a specific level of mobility and co-ordination he would be able to leave the QEF with the knowledge that support workers and his family could care for him. Improvements in his abilities were given a significant boost when his mother and Occupational Therapist suggested the use of a turning bed.
Previously the process of getting in and out of bed was a complex task which involved full manual assistance from carers. Jon was unable to assist himself and required powered hoisting from bed-to-chair or wheelchair. He did not like being transferred in a sling and every process became stressful for him.
This situation needed to be addressed and following discussions with his care team, Sheila sourced a Rotoflex bed for his room at the QEF. The award-winning Theraposture Rotoflex is an electrically operated specialist bed which provides powered profiling, height adjustment and rotation.
Users can independently adjust their position within the bed by using the powered profiling. To provide a safe working height, the whole sleeping platform can be raised and to independently transfer in and out of the bed, the powered rotation can be used.
From the chair position users can lift the bed vertically so a safe and controlled sitto-stand transfer can be achieved intentionally without being tipped forward. The vertical lift is more controlled and better suited to the vast majority of rotating bed users.
“This other company’s approach to assessment and selling was quite frankly disappointing and off putting, especially when I visited their showroom. Their understanding wasn’t there and the product was clearly not as well engineered as a Rotoflex.
Although it looked similar, it was very different on closer inspection as was the company and the way they went about things. Theraposture by comparison have a great product and it has been designed to help people like me. Theraposture are professional, knowledgeable and completely reassuring to deal with.
Owning a Rotoflex double combination bed has meant that Alan and his wife can benefit from a life that doesn’t rely on asking others for help.
Alan’s two sons have peace of mind their parents are safer at home and have not been called upon as much to help. Alan misses his career and the sense of achievement it delivered, however he is able to relax at home and continue playing his favourite game, Bridge, online with his friends twice a week.
By introducing the Rotoflex at a key stage in his rehab, Jon was encouraged to help himself and demonstrated to the care team a new level of ability
Jon owns a Rotoflex 200 Mk2 with a Unique Powered Rising Foot Support which is only available on rotating bed from Theraposture. This provides fully elevated leg support and its associated comfort and well-being benefits.
As nominated by a panel of senior independent Occupational Therapists, the Rotoflex won the prestigious Excellence in Caring Award at the OT Show.
Through powered adjustment Jon was able to his regain his ability to stand using an aid and position himself in bed to perform strengthening exercises.
Enablement became more pronounced as soon as the bed was introduced as Sheila explains: “We had spent time assessing Jon’s development at the QEF and all felt he needed extra support to achieve greater mobility. He has always been a determined individual and we knew Jon had far more potential in him if the right equipment was available. The Rotoflex and Theraposture were recommended to me so I arranged for one of their Trusted Assessors, Nick, to come to the QEF to demonstrate the bed and assess Jon’s needs. We were all really impressed and felt this could be the answer to faster rehab…
it was.”
Sheila continues: “I knew how much Jon hated being hoisted, the Rotoflex was the clear alternative and offered the chance for him to become active with daily transfers. Our compensation settlement helped fund the bed which we believe was fundamental to getting Jon home.
By introducing it at a key stage in his rehab, Jon was encouraged to help himself and demonstrated to the care team a new level of ability.
We saw Jon’s capabilities grow from requiring full assistance to independent control of the bed’s functionality and active standing.
He now doesn’t need the powered rotation to move himself to a seated position… all he requires is his support worker and a Molift Raiser standing aid to lift himself up. If he is unwell, however, the rotation is still vital for all of us as Jon’s strength can be reduced at times.”
With the planned relocation of his Rotoflex to the new family home, a high dependency care package was not deemed necessary in the community which meant Jon left the QEF in December 2019. Three years after his accident Jon has been reunited with his family and lives with them in a contemporary, technology-enabled house in Redhill. This spacious adapted home allows Jon to independently move between rooms using a powerchair and a through-floor lift provides access upstairs.
His first-floor bedroom and en-suite wet room are both modern and practical with his Rotoflex taking centre stage.
The Beck family regard the attractive, domestic look of the Rotoflex as another major benefit with its aesthetic oak surround which matches the decor of Jon’s room.
Sheila says: “I read an article once by a disabled person who said, when they were in bed, with their eyes closed, they forgot they had limited mobility. Once they opened their eyes they saw all their equipment and it immediately reminded them of the challenges they faced… this was depressing for them. Hence we purposely make sure all of Jon’s equipment is out of sight at night plus his bed helps as it does not look like a medical device.
Its design resembles a normal quality bed as all the mechanisms are hidden so the feel of Jon’s room is not compromised. He can independently sit up in bed to watch TV or use his tablet and sleeps so well with minimal need for readjustment.
Both the Rotoflex bed and the RoHo mattress (high risk (grade 4) bespoke) are both extremely comfortable. I have a video monitor and can see that Jon moves very little right through from 10pm until 7am. When he’s awake, Jon benefits from the flexible nature of his bed to exercise his legs and feet which would not be possible in a chair.”
As Jon improves his mental and physical abilities the Rotoflex will continue to play an integral part within rehabilitation.
Sheila concludes: “Overall my family and Housing OT think the Rotoflex is fantastic. We have proven that these beds are not just for older people they are ideal for younger guys such as Jon. My OT says that commonly these specialist beds are bought to aid carers so they have reduced risk of back injury. Plus people with conditions such as Parkinson’s or MS have more independence. Our Rotoflex demonstrates a different angle with its multi-purpose, therapeutic capabilities, empowering Jon to learn and improve to the best of his ability.”
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