Inflatable mattresses for home use to prevent bed sores

[mikethern]

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?

[medsurgnurse, RN]

Your friend should be eligible for hospice. Even if he doesn't have insurance medicare will cover it. And if he doesn't have that, his doctor can recommend a hospice that will take him anyway. Hospice will supply him with an appropriate bed and a whole lot more. please check into it.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Airobed overtop mattress will make getting in and out of bed impossible.

Mattress that recirculates air pressure best bet if lives alone and minimal help / lack desire to turn and shift weight. They can be rented through DME company if doen't qualify via health insurance. Item linked is great product, waffle mattress comes second, 4# foam mattress if other mattress not desired by pt.

Hospice = comfort care and symptom management, just not pain mgmt along with making the most out of every day. Nothing shoved down anyone's throat and offer tons of caring options. Highly recommmend program so they can LIVE their remaining life.

PM me if more info desired.

[mikethern]

>>

Actually, the mattress has a hand-held control that inflates and deflates electrically. I told him to deflate to make getting in and out of bed easier. Then inflate when he is on the mattress.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Easier said than done. If he doesn't want to turn on side, most likely won't use controls.....20 years homecare talking here.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Airobed overtop mattress will make getting in and out of bed impossible.

Mattress that recirculates air pressure best bet if lives alone and minimal help / lack desire to turn and shift weight.

I second that!

We get some patients on these Bariatric-II beds and they are so completely awesome! I had one who had MRSA, a decub-pressure ulcer on buttocks with wound vac - and her back was in so much better shape than the ones we had one air-mattresses alone....