Selecting the Best Mattresses for Seniors

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses are best for preventing pressure ulcers in Long Term Care facilities and may be considered for up to Stage III wounds.

• Provide varying levels of static pressure redistribution for prevention and treatment
• Often feature enhanced scapular, sacral and heel sections to further reduce pressure in these vulnerable areas

Dynamic Mattresses

Dynamic mattresses are best for wound treatment and may be considered for use on Stage III and IV wounds.

• Utilize air to change load distribution, moving areas of pressure and often achieving greater levels of pressure redistribution
• Often utilize airflow – called low air loss – to prevent and treat maceration by reducing moisture

Standard Urethane

The more common of the three, standard urethane can be constructed of varying density and softness levels to answer the diverse support needs of your resident population.

Viscoelastic

Also known as memory foam, viscoelastic conforms to a resident’s body shape. It is often used with ambulatory residents and rehabilitation residents. However, to some residents, viscoelastic may feel uncomfortably warm, and turning may be difficult for some because of the cradling effect.

Foam With Gel

Gel infused into any kind of foam can improve heat dissipation for greater comfort and a cooler sleep surface, while also helping reduce shear.

Nonpowered Convertible Mattresses

Relying on foam and air sectors and valve release technology, covertible mattresses provide pressure management by automatically directing air to different sectors as a resident moves. These mattresses are ideal for residents who do not require moisture control.

They can be operated as nonpowered dynamic mattresses or converted to a powered surface with the addition of an alternating pressure pump. The alternating pressure pump will automatically inflate over a timed period to load and offload pressure across a resident’s body.

Alternating Pressure Mattresses

Alternating pressure mattresses provide pressure redistribution by loading and unloading through inflation and deflation – alternating pressure – of air sectors. Residents with multiple wounds, full thickness skin loss or even Stage I wounds may benefit from alternating pressure, which is often combined with low air loss.

Low Air Loss Mattresses

The air sectors in these mattresses allow air to flow toward the resident to control temperature and moisture. Residents who sweat or have maceration may benefit from low air loss mattresses. Low air loss is often combined with alternating pressure or lateral rotation.

Lateral Rotation Mattresses

With an ability to laterally rotate a resident up to 40 degrees, lateral rotation mattresses may be appropriate for residents with pulmonary or circulatory ailments. Others can be used as an adjunct to turning – each manufacturer may have a different indication for use. Lateral rotation is often combined with low air loss or alternating pressure.

Raised side perimeters provide extra protection against falls, while also reducing the need for bedrails. For the most effective fall protection, look for one-piece raised perimeters rather than glued-on extensions.

Standard Heel Surface : Look for heel sections with super-soft or memory foam, which provide better pressure reduction for vulnerable heels than the standard foam in the rest of the mattress.

Heel Slope : A sloped heel section redirects pressure to residents’ calves, where there is more fatty tissue and muscle to absorb pressure. Heel slopes may be an ideal feature for residents who require a higher level of pressure management.

Mattresses without firm side perimeters may compress under a resident’s weight and may result in falls during ingress/egress or sleep. They may put residents at increased risk of entrapment.

Mattresses with firm side perimeters provide improved safe transfer support, remind the resident he or she is near the mattress edge, and may help reduce the risk of entrapment.