When doctors advise bed rest, patients are confined to their beds. Making patients feel cozy and relaxed can help them heal faster. However, extended use of even high-quality mattresses can lead to bedsores, backaches, insomnia, and pressure ulcers if the mattresses are ordinary.
Ordinary mattresses may not maintain the pressure, friction, and shear that qualifies a bedridden patient’s needs. Not all produce mattresses with bedridden patients in mind, or ones that may substitute for a .
The continuous contact of the body with the surface of the reduces blood flow, especially if lying upon a that pushes against . Prolonged laying on the bed causes friction against the skin that can lead to soreness.
These bedsores and pressure ulcers can be painful and cause skin irritation. An escalated problem can emerge in the form of tissue or skin damage. Thus, it is not advisable to compromise with the comfort and quality of the mattress.
An alternating pressure mattress is a good choice for such patients because it can redistribute pressure across the body, thereby helping to eliminate the risk of a pressure bed sore[1][2]. So without further ado, let us look at the best mattress for bedridden patients.
In this article, we review some of the best mattresses for bedridden patients. The table below gives a quick snapshot of our top selections, and we go into more details and discussions further down.
Contents
Best Recommended Mattresses for Bedridden Patients
#1 – Vive Pressure Pad Mattress
The Vive Alternating Pressure Pad Mattress is a great choice when it comes to seeking a good mattress for bedridden people. Bedridden patients are generally more prone to face back issues like lower back pain, bedsores, and postural problems. They may face trouble maintaining posture and dealing with numbing of the body. However, the Viva mattress has been designed purposefully to offer pressure relief to such patients.
Features and Benefits
- Relieves ulcer pain and bedsores: With the pressure alteration in the mattress, the air is distributed evenly to provide support to the back and to prevent numbness.
- Quiet pressure pump: The pressure pump that comes with this mattress has variable degrees of pressure, and the multiple levels and degrees of applied pressure give a customizable experience to the patient.
- Turgid construction: It has a strong construction that can support the weight of 300 lbs.
- Guarantee: The product enjoys a one year guarantee to provide the consumer with confidence about the quality of the product.
Why should you buy it?
The application of a variable pressure pump and 130 bubble cells makes this mattress very comfortable and customizable as per the patient’s requirement. This mattress is waterproof and has an easy installation. These features make the mattress comfortable to use.
Why It’s Our Top Choice
The Vive Alternating Air Pressure Mattress Pad - The Original Bed Sore Prevention Solution - Hospital & Home Mattress Topper - Includes Waterproof, Heat Resistant Ulcer Cushion Pad & Whisper Quiet Pump is our top choice for the following reasons among others:
- It relieves ulcer pain as well as bedsores.
- It has a turgid construction.
- The pressure pump comes with various levels of pressure.
#2 – MARNUR Mattress
A good mattress is essential for the patient’s better healing and comfort, and this is where the MARNUR mattress comes into the picture. A comfortable mattress will prevent body sores, and the patient will be able to lie down in a supine position with proper alignment of neck and back muscles.
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Features and Benefits
- Materials used: It is made of high-quality PVC material and is non-slippery with border extensions to avoid slipping and readjustments.
- Alternate Inflation and Deflation: The pump inflates and deflates the air cells in the mattress, redistributing the user’s weight at all times, which does not allow pressure sores to form.
- Ulcer Pain and Pressure Relief: The pressure alterations of this mattress will stimulate blood flow and maintain proper muscle contraction. Hence, ulcers can be better avoided. It can prevent the pain caused due to lying down to a large extent.
- Size of the bed: The bed has dimensions of 79″ x 35″ x 3″.
- Low sound pump: The air pump makes very little noise when used. Hence, it will not disturb the sleep of the patient and provide them comfort and good quality rest.
Why should you buy it?
This mattress has a high-quality PVC material which makes it comfortable as well as durable. The efficient bubble cells and pressure alteration stimulate the blood flow, maintain proper muscle contraction, and makes it easy to use. All these factors make this product an excellent choice.
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#3 – Vaunn Medical Mattress
The size of the mattress should be in compliance with the dimensions of the bed to provide proper fitting and comfort. This is what makes Vaunn medical mattress a suitable option for bedridden patients.
Features and Benefits
- Effective Uses: This mattress can efficiently prevent bedsores and ulcers. It helps the bedridden patients to rest comfortably in a supine position and enhances the quality of sleep.
- Airlift technology: This technology of this mattress redistributes the air uniformly around the mattress, making it very light and fluffy to use. This air pressure also stimulates blood flow, creates pressure at certain spots, and prevent sore body formation.
- Sleep wave therapy: The mattress has bubble that inflate and deflate depending on the air pressure. This creates a sleep wave, which relaxes the back and enhance sleep quality.
- Waterproof materials: The mattress has waterproof air cells, which are preheated and sealed to provide a good quality mattress. The mattress can support a weight of around 300 lbs.
Why should you buy it?
This mattress has airlift technology, which makes it super light and comfortable to use. The air pump which comes with the mattress is super quiet and whispery, which will not disturb the patient’s sleep. The mattress has a waterproof vinyl mattress topper that makes it easy to clean. This mattress is recommended by doctors hence making it a quality product in the market.
#4 – Meridian Mattress
The material used for a mattress for bedridden patients should be soft, non-slippery, smooth and waterproof. This was kept in mind when designing the Meridian mattress, and it shows with the materials used and the construction of the product.
Features and Benefits
- Materials used: The mattress is made of heavy gauge polyvinyl polymer, making it super soft and comfortable for patient compliance.
- Pressure alteration: The mattress has an alternating pressure pad that is attached to the bed. This produces pressure changes throughout the mattress to stimulate blood flow and keeps the back healthy.
- Bubble cells: This acts in coherence with the pressure alteration mechanism to stimulate blood flow. The bubble cells also act as pressure nodules and help to give you a good night’s sleep.
- Self-Installation: This mattress is easy to use and install. It is just like a medical hospital mattress having the pumps for up and down movement with the added comfort of pressure alteration.
- Support: It can support a person weighing up to 300 lbs.
Why should you buy it?
This mattress has the feature of pressure alteration and is similar to a hospital bed air mattress. It will prevent back numbness and bedsores and can help stimulate blood flow. It comes with a one-year guarantee making it one of the best options in the market.
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#5 – Drive Medical Mattress
Bedridden patients need to be comfortable in order to promote proper healing. Comfortable mattresses with airlift technology and pressure alterations will enhance healing and prevent issues like bedsores, numbness, ulcers, and more. The Drive Medical Mattress is another option in our list that takes these into consideration.
Features and Benefits
- Materials: The mattress is made of a Nylon cover that is sturdy and waterproof. It has zips all around for proper fitting to the bed. It also consists of 8″ high air cells made of 40% Nylon and 60% PVC.
- Support: It can support a weight of up to 350 lbs.
- Pillow: It has a pillow function built in to maintain the head portion of the bed in a static mode to provide patient compliance.
- Modes: An alternative shifting mode is available to shift between static pressure for changing pressure mode.
Why should you buy it?
This mattress has variable pressure applications like alternating pressure and static pressure, which gives the patient a customizable feeling. The mattress is easily adjustable as per the patient’s comfort and hence makes it another top mattress choice.
#6 – Medical King Mattress
This is a Low air loss mattress designed to reduce pressure ulcers and bedsores. It has 130 air pockets that help to distribute the users weight all across.
Features and Benefits
- Durable: It can support up to 350 pounds of weight.
- Low Air Loss: 130 air-filled cells that do not lose air (unlike normal air beds). The cells help distribute pressure to prevent bedsores.
- Alternating Pressure Mode: It can also act as an alternating pressure mattress.
- Low Noise: The pump produces very little noise, giving a restful sleep to the user.
Why should you buy it?
The mattress works in both low air loss and alternating pressure modes to reduce pressure on the users body thereby making it comfortable for rest and recovery.
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Buyer’s Guide: Best Mattress for Bedridden Patients
Patients who are bedridden can benefit from a good quality mattress, but not just any mattress would do. Here is a list of types of mattresses that are suitable to help promote restful sleep and accelerate physical well-being for a bedridden patient.
Air-Fluidized Beds
Air-fluidized mattresses are good for patients who frequently complain of pressure ulcers. Pressure-reducing air technology is highly effective in providing specialized support to bedridden patients. Air ventilation prevents night sweats.
The mattresses are designed to reduce shear forces on bedsores. You can place the mattress over any bed frame, whether at home or at the hospital.
Water and Gel Mattresses
If you share your bed with your restless partner, his or her movements can keep you up all night. Water and gel technology mattresses are designed to provide a good night’s sleep to bedridden patients since they are resistant to motion-transfer.
These gel absorb the shock transferred by your partner’s movement so you can have a restful sleep. Moreover, water and gel mattresses distribute pressure evenly to avoid bedsores.
Foam-based Mattress
Doctors recommend foam-based mattresses that are accompanied by a support surface with pressure pads. Unlike spring mattresses, the padding will not be compressed over prolonged usage.
Thus, it prevents the progression of pressure ulcers that result due to pressure, friction, and shear forces. Moreover, the classic foam-based mattress facilitates patients with chronic back pain. These latex-free foam mattresses will not aggravate body aches.
Combination Therapy Mattresses
If you are looking for optimal comfort, you can opt for mattresses with more than one technology. A combination of air and foam technology can be effective in preventing ulcers, bedsores, skin irritation, and more.
Moreover, a gel-foam memory mattress is good for your back, limits motion-transfer, and offers a cooler surface. The gel-based technology evaporates body heat and maintains the desired temperature as you sleep. Restful sleep is critical for good health, promoting faster recovery, and rejuvenating tissues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What type of mattress is best for bedridden patients?
Any conventional mattress may not provide the comfort that a bedridden patient needs. Patients should not compromise on a mattress’s quality and comfort.
Doctors recommend alternating pressure mattresses apart from water, gel, or foam-based technology mattresses that promote physical well-being and do not cause bedsores or pressure ulcers.
Q. Can a bedridden patient’s mattress prevent bedsores?
Yes it can if a suitable one is selected. Superior-quality mattresses designed specifically for bedridden patients are suitable for preventing bedsores.
Prolonged bed rest contributes to constant pressure, reduced blood circulation, friction, and shear. However, patients can prevent bedsores with mattresses that distribute body pressure evenly.
Q. How can mattresses for bedridden patients promote health?
Mattresses for patients restricted to bed alleviate stress, reduce body aches, and promote sleep. Water and gel technology mattresses are designed to provide comfort to patients. They dissipate heat faster, and the visco-polymer technology distributes body pressure evenly.
Q. Where can I find more information about mattresses suitable for seniors and recovering patients?
On Help and Wellness, we have a number of articles with further discussions and recommendations on quality mattresses that are designed to suit the needs of elderly folks or patients who require more bedrest. Click to read more about Is Memory Foam Mattress Good for the Elderly, Best Alternating Pressure Mattresses for Bed Sores, and Best Mattress For Seniors With Arthritis.
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Parting Words – An All-Day Mattress Deserves an All-Day Careful Selection
Prolonged use of a conventional mattress can add pressure on the bony areas of the body leading to pressure ulcers, skin infection, and bedsores. Their inability to accommodate shifting pressures can inhibit blood circulation, among other potential complications.
Depending upon your health condition, you can choose from a number of suitable mattress materials and technologies, including memory foam mattresses, gel-based mattresses, foam-based mattresses, hybrid pressure mattresses, or combined technology mattresses.
In our opinion, the Vive Alternating Air Pressure Mattress Pad - The Original Bed Sore Prevention Solution - Hospital & Home Mattress Topper - Includes Waterproof, Heat Resistant Ulcer Cushion Pad & Whisper Quiet Pump is the best mattress for bedridden patients among the various options that we have considered because it is designed with the materials and construction intended to relieve ulcer pain and bedsores in bedridden patients.
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If you are looking for a value-for-money option, you may consider the Drive Medical 14027 Med-Aire Low Air Loss Mattress Replacement System with Alternating Pressure, Dark Purple, which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
While we make every effort to provide updated and correct information, the advice given in this article and website should not be construed as “medical advice.” Please consult with your physician or medical practitioner before using any mattress. Each individual may have his or her unique issues, and your medical practitioner is the best person to help recommend best mattress for bedridden patients for your case.
We have also covered various essential products for bedridden patients. If interested, you should read best bed for bedridden patients, best pillow for bedridden patients, and best diapers for bedridden patients.
References:
[1] Pressure ulcers: Current understanding and newer modalities of treatment (nih.gov)
[2] Preventing pressure ulcers – InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf