Sleep is one of the most important paths to good health. It is a fundamental aspect to all sorts of physiological and cognitive functions. Good sleep lends itself to emotional well- being and positive mental health. It leads to better physical health and stronger immunity. Sleep enhances productivity and performance. Good sleep produces better attitudes and improved productivity. Studies have also suggested that sleep may contribute to longevity and overall better health. Dr. Matthew Walker, a renowned sleep scientist and author of “Why We Sleep,” has extensively researched the connection between sleep and memory. Walker’s studies suggest that during sleep, the brain performs memory consolidation, whereby information is transferred from short-term to long-term memory. This enhances learning and problem-solving abilities. A landmark study published in the journal “Sleep” found a direct correlation between sleep and mental health. It is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep to emotional well-being. The Mayo Clinic has demonstrated that inadequate sleep can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Proper sleep helps regulate hormones that affect appetite and metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated the relationship of sufficient sleep to enhanced workplace performance. Adequate rest contributes to improved focus, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance. Dr. Kristen L. Knutson of the University of Chicago, Sleep Medicine, has found that both short and excessively long sleep durations are associated with increased mortality risks. Obviously, the importance of not just sleep, but balanced sleep is a precious commodity which is why Mobility Solutions offers the Flex-a-Bed sleep system to our customers.
  

Imagine a day full of activity, running children (or grandchildren) back and forth, lunch with friends, business engagements, some exercise (hopefully), dinner and finally, some rest. Flex-a-Bed is not just for those aging that need the rest, it is for anyone and everyone to rest better. It is the luxury alternative bed for the home. The back lifted up position allows for relaxing and soothing full back support while reading or watching television. The raised foot section gets your feet above your heart, allowing for improved circulation, reduced swelling, and less foot pain. Whatever position you choose to be in – feet up, back up, or cradle, the bed supports every inch of your body. This is unlike a lot of hospital beds that raise your legs at the knees and tend to let your feet droop. This is counterproductive to good blood circulation. The Hi-Lo bed is the only bed in the Flex-a-Bed family that allows for vertical rise and drop. This not only assists in safely getting out of the bed but also rises to a height that care takers do not have to bend in order to care for the patient or client. If you have no need for the Hi-Lo function the Premier bed offers both split queen and California king. These two sizes are not available in the Hi-Lo series.

   
 
Flex-a-Bed has been around since 1969. Originally started in Gardena, CA, the business grew steadily. In 1979, the company broke ground on a new plant in Lafayette, GA. Ever since that time Flex-a-Bed has continued to innovate, build on expertise, and manufacture some of the finest adjustable beds on the market. Still wholly manufactured in the U.S.A., today there are three categories of Flex-a-Bed products – The Premier, the Hi-Low, and the Value Flex. As a Durable Medical Equipment dealer, we focus primarily on the Hi-Low since it delivers hospital-like adjustments but with many more options and a ‘homey,’ comfortable, and appealing look. There are so many amenities to the HI-Lo Flex-a-Bed that you will find useful -

  • A lifetime limited warranty

  • Your choice of one-touch, wired controls, or hands-free control.

  • Wireless and wired USB charging.

  • Whisper-quiet motors with optional, dual-timed massage

  • A mattress retainer cover for the foot of the bed.

  • Locking casters

  • Optional side rails

  • A choice of soft, medium, or firm mattress construction

  • Lots of mattress styles are available to meet any health or comfort need. Mattresses are available in low profile, gel-infused memory foam, memory foam, latex, or combination innerspring/memory foam.

  • Mattresses are available in twin, full, queen and split king.

  • Length options are 74, 80 and 84 inch.

  • The height of the bed (frame) is 13.25 inches to 20.75 inches

  • With casters removed the bed frame height can be 11 inches to 18.5 inches.

  • New innovative features.

   
 

So, what is new with Flex-a-Bed? How about voice activation and smart bed features! Flex-a-Bed now boasts voice activation for hands-free control. Talk about ease of use! No more worries about losing the remote! The bed has wireless and wired USB charging. Underbed lights are activated with motion sensors (NEW!). There is even a smart bed app to control your bed from your mobile device with bed alarms. Flex-a-Bed has always been committed to making customers’ lives easier through high-quality sleep solutions. As times change and technology progresses, Flex-a-Bed continues to push the boundaries and make advancements that help customers get a better night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for the day. Now innovative features have been designed to transform your nightly routine into a luxurious and personalized experience. As the leader in adjustable bed technology, Flex-a-Bed understands the importance of innovation, comfort, and convenience.

 

These days, everyone is talking to their phones, cars, security systems, home and garden systems and indoor appliances. Innovators have come a long way with voice-activated devices and have benefited many lives as a result. For those with joint issues like arthritis or medical conditions that limit mobility, voice activation technology can mean the difference between pain and comfort.

So, Flex-a-Bed has rolled out a voice activation system for adjustable beds. Voice activation allows for hands-free control of the bed’s adjustability while allowing the customer to remain in a comfortable position, setting the position exactly as they like. The voice control device, shaped like a hockey puck (see above), is connected to the Flex-a-Bed frame at the factory. After an easy setup, “Max” or “Susan” understand the following commands:

  • Head up

  • Head down

  • Foot up

  • Foot down

  • Lift up

  • Lift down

  • Flat position

  • Position 1,2, 3 or 4 (memory)

  • Massage start

  • Massage stop

  • Wave 1, 2, 3 or 4 (memory). This is for massage intensity

  • Timer 10, 20 or 30 minutes

  • Lights on

  • Lights off

  • Volume up/down

  • Silent mode (turns Max’s voice off)

  • Switch name to Susan

  • Wired or wireless charging of phone

 

The next big “ah-ha” is the voice activated, motion-sensor under bed lighting. It has happened to all of us – you wake in the middle of the night and stumble across the dark bedroom floor to try and find our way around. Half awake but still asleep, moving around a dark room without lighting can become challenging or even dangerous in the case of falls. For those with chronic pain, mobility issues and challenges, falls are not an option. In fact, falls are to be avoided whenever and however possible. That is why the brand-new motion- sensor underbed lighting feature for the Hi-Lo and Premier beds is so important. The underbed lights (optional) are installed at the factory and equipped with motion-sensing that detects movement. If the sensors detect any motion, the lights will turn on automatically for a 2-minute period before shutting off automatically. The underbed lights are also customizable – available in blue, red, green, or white to suit the ambiance of your bedroom.

You cannot call your bed ‘smart’ if there is not an app for it, right? Introducing the Okin Smart Bed app that pairs your phone with your bed. It works with both Android and iPhone and allows for position adjustment, massage, and alarm. This is an awesome improvement for a couple of reasons. Reason number one: It allows children of aging parents to assist when mom calls and says, “my bed is not working!” And if you have an aging parent that you care for then you know this is going to happen. Now it is as easy as going to the app on your phone and ensuring proper operation or setting the position for mom or dad. Reason number two: Should you choose, you can have an alarm go off on your phone when mom or dad moves the bed.

  

The new remotes have a more ergonomic style and have new features and settings. There are now four memory reprogrammable buttons to automatically adjust your Flex-a-Bed to your saved preferred positions. It has a wonderful flashlight button to help you see clearly at night. There is a button to control underbed motion-sensor lighting (if purchased) and massage control buttons (optional).

Overall, Flex-a-Bed remains at the top of their game, and we are proud to represent them. We have sold and installed dozens of Flex-a-Bed Hi-Lo beds over the years, locally and nationally. Customers are consistently impressed with the bed system, quality mattress systems, and factory support. Mobility Solutions/Affordable Medical Equipment consistently strives to discover and present the best products we can find for our customers. We are not going to present fly-by-night wonders or miracle solutions but only those products that have met standards that we set, knowing what our customers expect.

Affordable Medical Equipment is in West Columbia, SC. Our phone number is 803-926-2224 and we operate M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Locally grown, nationally known. We are ready to assist you in your mobility challenges and adventures.