Long-term care beds are designed for use in care homes, nursing homes, long-term care centers, and similar settings. Compared to homecare beds, they are used more frequently and under more demanding conditions—with dozens of lifting operations per day, year-round operation without interruption, and multiple caregivers working in shifts—all of which place more stringent demands on the durability of the drive system. Depending on the bed design and care standards, the system can be configured with a dual actuator or multiple independent linear actuators, providing comprehensive coverage ranging from basic position adjustment to advanced care functions such as repositioning and tilting.
System configuration
● Medical-grade drive unit (linear actuator or dual actuator)
● Control box
● Controls
● Accessory system
Key features and benefits
High-frequency durability design — effortlessly withstands intensive use
The core challenge in long-term care settings lies in high-frequency usage. The medical-grade drive uses a high-strength transmission structure and wear-resistant materials, validated through tens of thousands of load cycle tests. The maintenance-free design eliminates the need for regular lubrication or replacement of wear parts, effectively reducing maintenance costs and the risk of downtime for the facility.
Dual actuator — meeting basic care requirements
The dual actuator integrates two drive motors — one for the back and one for the legs — into a single unit, allowing independent control of back and leg elevation. With its simple structure and convenient installation, it is suitable for care scenarios where basic position adjustment is the primary requirement.
Linear actuator solution — enabling advanced care functions such as turning and tilting
The linear actuator solution uses multiple independent actuators to control different sections of the bed, enabling a wider range of care functions such as automatic turning, sitting up, head-high/foot-low tilt (Trendelenburg), and full-bed fore-aft tilt. The turning function allows for scheduled patient repositioning to redistribute pressure points, effectively preventing the development of pressure ulcers. Both solutions feature built-in Hall effect sensors for integration with the customer's control system.
Extensive range of accessories — enhancing the quality of care
Long-term care beds can be fitted with a patient weighing system for precise weighing while the patient is in a lying position; a bed exit alarm system to monitor in real time whether the patient has left the bed; a wetness detection function to promptly detect when the patient is wet; and an anti-pinch mechanism to prevent pinching injuries. The systematic integration of these accessories transforms the long-term care bed into a comprehensive smart care platform.
Smooth and quiet operation — creating a peaceful environment conducive to recovery
Care wards or units shared by multiple patients place extremely high demands on noise control. Medical-grade actuators maintain low noise levels during operation, ensuring they do not disturb the rest and recovery of other patients in the same room.
Richmat's engineers provide end-to-end technical support—from needs assessment and solution design through to product delivery—safeguarding every moment of long-term care and peaceful recovery with reliable, medical-grade linear drive systems.