The new trend in hotel bed height

[cass]

so i don't know if anybody has noticed but many hotels are switching to what i call european style beds, which are several inches taller than standard wheelchair seat height, making my transfer impossible. anybody else running into this?
lex and i just got back from a stay at a resort. she fell twice and i couldn't make the transfer independently at all. still have bruises from my 15 yr old's help.
yes, i have been communicating with the resort, but do we have any real recourse to this issue other than complaining? the bed height cannot be changed on a per need basis as it is a tall mattress on a pedestal at these hotels.

[sjean423]

That is my concern when I travel as well. My hubby had to basically throw me in bed on a recent trip. I hate the lack of independence, and risking his back!

[SCI-Nurse]

We always ask about bed height and type before booking a hotel. Some are too high, and because we use a lift, we cannot use a platform bed. Request that the bed platform be removed and the mattress and box spring be put on the floor if you don't use a lift. If we can't get the bed type we need, we tell them why we are booking elsewhere (and we always speak to the manager, not to a clerk or reservation agent about this).

Many cruise lines are also changing to the extra-high beds as well. A bad choice. Easier for falls for older guests, and a disaster in an accessible cabin for many.

Unfortunately, furniture is not addressed at all in ADA standards for lodging establishments...only the size of doors, turning radius, etc.

(KLD)

[darty]

I live in Vegas and spend nights on the strip quite often. Bed height is a huge problem for me and there is no regulation in the ADA that dictates bed height. Most times we end up putting my legs in first then rolling my upper half and butt in the bed. Sure is easy to get back in the chair, down hill all the way, kind of a controlled crash.

LOL

[kenf]

not to highjack this thread. when i had my back cut open , in reheb they put me in a regular hospital bed. i had to wear this turtle shell contraption and it was tuff to move around. i told them i need a lower bed, they said ok. after falling 3 times with help from a aid they finally got the lower bed. f-in idiots.

[Liz321]

We stayed near Chatham, Massachusetts. Someone recommended a hotel up there that was accessible. They had a beautiful accessible bathroom with a wonderful role in shower, a gas fireplace and all the other amenities that people go to the Cape for.

Unfortunately they actually had a set of steps to go to the bed!

Of course I had called before and they confirmed everything was very accessible.......

[cass]

Request that the bed platform be removed and the mattress and box spring be put on the floor if you don't use a lift.

Many cruise lines are also changing to the extra-high beds as well. A bad choice. Easier for falls for older guests, and a disaster in an accessible cabin for many.


(KLD)

Yeah, I have tried that. Some of the platforms can't be removed. And when one actually was once, the bed was way too low!

I was thinking older folks might not like this trend either.

Liz, sure hope you called the front desk!

Darty, that's the method I use, too!

The resort tried to charge me $500 for a damaged nightstand (I never saw any damage) but when I said Lex's FA hit it when she fell trying to get in bed, they changed their minds. I also pointed out a few other issues, like microwave on above counter shelf (out of reach), 90% of the bathroom counter is inaccessible, employees parking their golf carts in the access aisles, etc.

[Tiger Racing]

so i don't know if anybody has noticed but many hotels are switching to what i call european style beds, which are several inches taller than standard wheelchair seat height, making my transfer impossible. anybody else running into this?

Yeah, this is an annoying trend. They seem to just get taller and taller. It's definitely a concern.

C.

[RoJo]

Change is possible

My wife and I travel to Idaho regularly to visit her family. Last October we stayed at the Hampton Inn in Nampa. The handicap suite was very accessible and we were surprised by some of the features we typically don't experience.

-Very large bathroom with a proper height roll under sink and a great roll in shower.
-Extended length wands for the drapes with large rings at the bottom for easy grip.
-An easily accessible microwave and a great lap board.

PROBLEM: The bed was too high, much too high. My wife had to stand on the edge of the bed to compress the mattress while I inched my way up the sliding board. She is more coordinated than she will admit.

Hampton sent me a satisfaction survey after our stay. I took the opportunity to praise them for the great accessibility details. I also let them know that the current trend toward high beds has no place in a handicap room where people in wheelchairs have to get onto the bed without standing up. The high bed caused great inconvenience a created the potential for injury.

Don't know if my survey response was the catalyst but when we returned in April and stayed in the same room the bed had been lowered to a much better height for transfers. People at the desk had no clue when I expressed my appreciation for the change but said they would pass it on to management.

-And I didn't even have to bitch about it. Way to go Hampton! I am not affiliated with Hampton Inn in any way, just impressed.

[Bookjunky]

Just got back from a trip and the beds were way too high. After finally managing to get into the bed it turned out to be a sleep number mattress. When it was all the way on soft it was nearly impossible to move around in. Turning the number up to firm solved the bed mobility problem and sliding down into the chair was way easier than getting in was.

[CiscoNJenn]

We used to go to Atlantic City all the time but the Trop has made really bad changes. First they changed the only elevater from on open marble floor to a carpeted opening into the crowded casino. Now they changed all the beds to really high ones. I asked why they changed them in the handicap rooms and they said they are to specs. I took a picture of me on the bed and me feet hung off about a foot off the floor. I weigh 125lbs and had to throw my husband on to the bed.

[Geoffrey]

Each time I book a hotel I get a hold of the housekeeping manager or the maintenance manager. I let them know that I need the bed at 19" or close to it.
In one hotel in Vancouver BC they actually removed the frame from the bed and put wood blocks under the - now to low bed - to raise it up to the 19". I was going to be there for a week so I guess they figured it was worth the effort.
On the way there I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express and basically had to throw myself up the sliding board and on to the bed. Getting off was a little scary.
Geoffrey

[Tweetybird]

Here is a trick that might help some. When there is some difference between the bed and your chair, move your chair so it is facing the side of the bed. Carefully slide the sliding board under you so it is facing out directly in front of you. It will be sticking out between your legs, so be VERY careful if you have a foley or condom cath. scooch your chair closer to the bed so it makes a bridge between your chair and the bed. Have your attendant, or significant other lift your legs onto the bed. Your legs will be out somewhat in front of you on the bed. Now carefully scooch yourself onto the bed with your hands, kind of butwalking up the board. Be sure you have someone with their hand on your back to help balance you. This helps for those with fairly good trunk stability and strong arms, and good balance. If the bed is to high it won't work, but if there is some difference it can work. I would not do it this way without someone to help, and to spot you. I hope this helps. Sometimes this can be done without a board if you have really good upper body strength.

[MotoRacer598]

The hotels i've dealt with remove the boxsprings for us. then its easy

[rdf]

I agree with Hampton Inns. I stayed at one a week or so ago in Iowa and the bed was way high. But I was able to transfer, being a para, but it was more difficult than usual for sure.

Also, they didn't even have a shower bench. I talked to the manager, she said the other handicap room had a roll-in shower, but it was rented. I said then why do you call this room a handicap room when you don't even have a shower bench? She said because the bathroom is large and there are rails around the toilet. It was late at night and I was worn out, the room was reserved, so I just stayed there and skipped a shower the next day.

Won't be staying at a Hampton Inn again. AmericaInn Hotels are better for the disabled in the midwest, least that's what I've found.