Inflatable mattresses for home use to prevent bed sores

Nurses General Nursing

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My friend has terminal cancer. He spends all day at home in bed. He is not able to lay on his sides so he lays flat all day. I am thinking of buying him one of those $100 inflatable air mattresses because I think they would be less likely to cause bed sores. Would you agree?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

that or memory foam

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I stayed at a friends house in a neighboring state weekdays during the summer on one and loved it. The one I got was the Intex brand rising Comfort- half as much and twice as good as the aerobed brand! It is raised off the floor- the highest I could find and almost as high as my regular bed and very comfortable.

I had bought this and also 2 aero beds over a year ago when we were displaced during floods and the aero beds are flat every morning but this one will stay inflated for weeks! My daughter loves to use it when she has sleepovers now.

They also now make air mattresses which have the memory foam top.

To alleviate the sweatys, I put a blanket or bedpad under the sheet and it was as good as sleeping in my bed at home.

The site myairbeds.com has a huge selection.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Mike,

Even with soft care/air mattress - he needs movement.

Air mattresses only help "distribute the pressure" somewhat - they don't make 'em go away.

Even a quarter-to-half hour every four-six hours off his 'resting surface' will do wonders to prevent sores.

My humble opinion, of course.

cheers,

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I find them very uncomfortable and very hard to get out of if you have it on the floor. Have seen some on tv where it looks like a bed and doesn't sit so low.

Air mattresses do leak and like I said, you will feel the effects in the morning.

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Bethin- The Intex one I had never leaked and I didn't have to fill it for several weeks. It sits about 2 feet off the ground and I loved it! There is no way I would be able to get up from a low one, lol! At first I was waking up sweaty from the plastic but once I put a pad under it it was perfect!

The Aerobeds- they leaked!! Both of them and also a third that a friend bought. You do feel it on those!

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I did in home care for a 35 year old with MS, he had the air mattress with a pump that circulated fresh air, inflated and deflated under the patient every 10 minutes. It says that it adjusts the patients position. They are about 5" thick, and the patient doesn't notice them alot, but the pump does make a whirring noise. We rented it from a health supply store (one you can get oxygen, etc. from) for about $12 a month. Definitely worth it, and he NEVER got bedsores. They cost a fortune to buy, but renting is worth it.

Here is a link to the one we rented...they are costly to buy, but renting is an option through most hospitals and home health supply stores.

http://home-health-care.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/product/PPF/ID/15889/new_prod_full.asp

Claire

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One of the better inexpensive products out there is the waffle mattress by EHOB. They run about $85 and last about six-nine months. We use these at the VA and have had great luck with them in a preventative sense. I do agree though that repositioning and off-loading are the most important way to prevent any decubs. Even with a specialty mattress we try to turn patients side to side every hour or so.

*One thing about these mattresses is that you don't want a patient to lay directly on them. We cover with a flat sheet becouse the fitted are tight over these and cause alot of surface tension.

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as roy stated, nothing can take the place of old-fashioned repositioning...even if it's just a weight shift.

even if he can't lay on his sides, you can turn him as little as 10 degrees and it will still be enough to prevent decubs.

you're a good friend to have.

leslie

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Thanks for all the replies. My plan is to buy an aerobed mattress and put it on top of his current regular mattress. I don't live with him and he is stubborn. He won't turn on his side if he doesn't want to.

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Bethin- The Intex one I had never leaked and I didn't have to fill it for several weeks. It sits about 2 feet off the ground and I loved it! There is no way I would be able to get up from a low one, lol! At first I was waking up sweaty from the plastic but once I put a pad under it it was perfect!

You should have seen me try to get out of it! OMG, I felt like an old lady. When I moved out, I took my mattress and box springs but I go home every weekend to work. Decided it wasn't worth it to buy another mattress. Mom told me she couldn't listen to me cuss again trying to get out of the darn thing so she bought a mattress and box springs.

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Bethin I KNOW EXACTLY what you mean, lol!! Waking up on the floor sucks! A friend has a big new years party every year and the guests will use the aerobeds- like being hung over isn't enough!!

I know it's too late, but if you are ever in need of one, those intex ones are half the price and they rock! I had no problems sleeping on it all week long and I am one of those if I don't have MY pillow and MY blanket and MY bed, I toss and turn all night long.

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