First idea would be to see if the person could use their feet to operate the bed controls? Could the pendant be mounted in such a way to allow for foot control? If they are membrane switches and not large toggle buttons, you can make them easier to press by using clear bumpers (the things you put on a coaster to stop them from moving).

There are a couple commercial products out there, but they are all very expensive - well over $1000 (up to $6-7000 depending on the product) and very dependent on the bed type. If it is a fancy bed with controls on the handrail, then a custom solution would need to be done. If it is a more home care style bed, then there are commercial products that would work.

I do know of some people who can make custom mods, if they want to go that route.

These are my suggestions. I wish it were a simpler answer, but the bed manufacturers do not make it easy for liability reasons (I am sure).

Sincerely,

Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP

Owner, Rehabilitation Engineer

ImproveAbility, LLC

Office: 512-522-1705

Cell: 512-497-6026

Email: xxxxxx@improveability.com

Web: www.improveability.com

Fax: 888-501-1009

NEW ADDRESS: 3310 W Braker Lane, Suite 300-424, Austin TX 78758

DARS Provider# 1-274278960-0-000

"One cannot consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar" -- Helen Keller

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: FW: adaptive equipment
From: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org>
Date: Tue, September 08, 2015 10:07 am
To: National ALS Association AT Listserv <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>

Passing this along to inquire if anyone has any ideas.

Thanks,

Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CAPS

Manager, Assistive Technology Services

ALS Association National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Cell: 610-812-0361

Follow me on Twitter: alsassistivetec

or

Facebook: Alisa Brownlee ALS

From: Suchomelly, Amanda [mailto:xxxxxx@GenesisHCC.com]
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2015 7:01 AM
To: Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org>
Subject: adaptive equipment

Hello,

I am an Occupational Therapist who works at a SNF in PA. We currently have a patient who was diagnosed with ALS a few months back. Upon admission to our facility, she had very limited use of both arms/hands and therefore requires assist for all aspects of self cares and feeding. She recently requested an adapted bed controller for her hospital bed as she is not able to adjust the head of the bed. Due to lack of ability to grasp/hold items or elevate arms, I am at a loss as to how to adapt her controller. I was hoping to find any suggestions you may have or resources to which I can utilize. Thank you so much!

Amanda Suchomelly, OTRL

This e-mail and any attachments may contain information which is confidential, proprietary, privileged or otherwise protected by law. The information is solely intended for the named addressee (or a person responsible for delivering it to the addressee). If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message or any part of it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete it from your computer.