Choosing The Right Mattress For Post-Stroke Recovery

Stroke patients often experience muscle weakness or paralysis, which can make it difficult to get in and out of bed and increase the risk of falling. To improve their quality of life and independence, it is essential to choose a suitable mattress that provides comfort, support, and ease of movement. This can include adjustable beds, pressure-relieving mattresses, and bed accessories that aid in mobility and reduce the need for caregiver intervention. The right mattress can also help prevent and heal pressure sores, which are common in patients who spend a significant amount of time in bed.

Adjustable beds can help with getting in and out of bed

Stroke patients often experience muscle weakness or paralysis, commonly on one side of the body, which can make getting in and out of bed difficult and unsafe. Adjustable beds can help with this transition by raising and lowering the bed ends, allowing the user to choose from an infinite number of sleeping positions. For example, the Rotoflex bed uses a rotational movement to move a user from lying down to a seated position. The user can then wait in this position for their blood pressure to normalise before standing up. The Rotoflex can also be adjusted to a higher position, providing extra support when standing up or sitting down.

Bed rails are another option to help stroke patients get in and out of bed. The Standers EZ Adjust Bed Rail is a cost-effective, versatile, and easy-to-install option that can be used on virtually any home or hospital bed. It can also be used to help patients stand up and can be folded down when not needed. The BedCane Bed Rail and Smart Rail System Bed Rail are also good choices for getting in and out of bed. The BedCane is a cane-shaped device that attaches to a board placed between the mattress and box spring. It can be folded down for storage and comes with a storage pouch. The Smart Rail System is similar but slightly longer, and it can be rotated to any preferred angle to make standing up easier.

Adjustable beds can also improve sleep quality and reduce pain associated with immobility. Sleep studies have shown that people tend to turn over in their sleep every 10-12 minutes to stimulate tissue and the movement of bodily fluids, which promotes good circulation. Adjustable beds allow for this movement, helping to relieve pain and improve overall behaviour and mood. They can also reduce the need for caregiver intervention, giving patients a sense of independence and dignity.

Mattress type: water, air, foam, or gel

Waterbeds were once very popular, but they are no longer a major category of mattress. Waterbeds work on the principle that water supports the body evenly, pushing back with equal force to the force of the person's body when lying down. This results in a delightful freedom from pressure points, and people with back problems found them very beneficial. However, waterbeds were often inconvenient and of poor quality. They were also heavy, and landlords did not allow them in rented properties due to the possibility of water damage.

Today, waterbeds are hard to find, and there are alternative solutions, such as latex mattresses, which can provide a similar softness.

Air mattresses are designed to give a range of pressure care relief for those who suffer from back pain or other ailments. They are also useful for elderly people who require extra care. They work by varying the amount of pressure applied to the skin, and they can help prevent pressure ulcers caused by prolonged pressure. They are also lightweight, portable, and easy to operate.

Foam mattresses are recommended for patients with bone problems.

Gel mattresses are not mentioned in the sources provided.

Pressure relief mattresses can help prevent bedsores

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are a common issue for people who spend a lot of time in bed, especially those with limited mobility. The constant pressure on certain body parts, such as the hips, heels, and spine, can reduce blood flow to the tissues, leading to skin breakdown. This can have serious complications, including cellulitis, bone infections, and even sepsis.

Pressure relief mattresses are specifically designed to prevent and treat these bedsores by redistributing body weight and reducing pressure on vulnerable areas. This can be achieved through various designs, including:

• Water mattresses, which distribute pressure evenly and conform to the patient's body.
• Air mattresses, which can be adjusted by inflating and deflating different zones to optimise comfort and pressure relief.
• Foam mattresses, which are cross-cut to shift with the patient's weight and minimise the risk of skin tears.
• Gel mattresses, which conform to the body and provide a cooling, responsive feel.

Lateral rotation mattresses are another option, as they turn the patient from side to side to improve circulation and relieve pressure. This style of mattress can help turn a patient without a caregiver's assistance, but it requires bed rails to prevent falls.

Solace Prevention Therapeutic Foam Mattress by Invacare

This mattress features zoned layers of high-density foam that distribute weight and relieve pressure. It also promotes airflow to keep the mattress cool and moisture-free. The fluid-resistant, nylon-covered mattress complies with fire regulations and includes a non-skid bottom for added safety.

Drive Medical Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Mattress

The Drive Medical mattress features a convoluted top layer with five distinct zones to distribute weight and reduce pressure. It has a firm foam core for added stability and a deluxe nylon cover that is water-resistant, anti-microbial, and reduces skin friction.

Proex Pressure Relief Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress

The Proex mattress is designed with a built-in heel slope to provide targeted pressure relief for the heels, preventing pressure sores. Its three-tiered construction prevents "bottoming out", ensuring durability and consistent support. The removable, hospital-grade cover is water-resistant, anti-microbial, and flame-retardant.

Advantage Homecare Pressure Relief Foam Mattress by Medline

This mattress by Medline is a lightweight, easy-to-transport foam mattress with multi-layered foam construction. It evenly distributes body weight to reduce pressure points and provides a comfortable sleeping surface. The water-resistant nylon cover minimises friction and protects the skin.

United Plus Bariatric Pressure Relief Mattress

The United Plus mattress combines air cells and memory foam to provide a weightless sensation, enhancing comfort and reducing pressure points. It supports patients up to 700 pounds and features a durable, machine-washable cover. The mattress is divided into three adjustable sections for personalised pressure relief.

Air mattresses can be adjusted for comfort and to address bedsores

Air mattresses are a great option for post-stroke patients. They are filled with air, water, foam, or gel and work to distribute a patient's weight across the mattress, reducing the amount of pressure on areas of the body that are susceptible to bedsores.

Additionally, air mattresses can be programmed to automatically adjust, freeing up caregivers from having to regularly inflate, deflate, or turn the patient. This can be particularly beneficial for post-stroke patients who may have limited mobility and require assistance with repositioning.

The adjustability of air mattresses also allows users to find their preferred sleeping positions, maximising comfort and promoting undisturbed sleep. This is important for post-stroke patients, as a good night's rest can aid in their recovery and overall health.

Furthermore, air mattresses provide a weightless sensation, enhancing comfort and reducing pressure points. This feature can be especially beneficial for bariatric patients, as it can help support their weight while providing a comfortable sleeping experience.

Overall, air mattresses offer a high level of adjustability, comfort, and pressure relief, making them a great option for post-stroke patients to address bedsores and improve their sleep quality.

Foam mattresses can be cross-cut to minimise the risk of shearing

For post-stroke patients, maintaining an independent and safe lifestyle can be challenging, especially when left with limited dexterity or partial paralysis. Recovery and rehabilitation can take months or even years, and the lasting effects can make a stroke the number one cause of adult disability. Therefore, it is important to choose a mattress that can aid in the recovery process and provide comfort and support.

One option to consider is a foam mattress, which can be beneficial for post-stroke patients in several ways. Firstly, foam mattresses can be cross-cut to minimise the risk of shearing. Shearing occurs when the skin pulls as a person shifts their position in bed, leading to skin tears. By cross-cutting the foam, the mattress can shift with the patient's weight, reducing the friction between the skin and the mattress surface. This not only helps prevent skin tears but also provides a more comfortable sleeping experience for the patient.

Additionally, foam mattresses are designed to distribute the patient's weight across the mattress, reducing the amount of pressure on areas of the body that are susceptible to bedsores. Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, can develop due to constant pressure that decreases blood flow to tissues, leading to tissue and skin breakdown. The pressure on bony areas, such as the hips, spine, and heels, makes them particularly vulnerable to bedsores. By distributing the weight evenly, foam mattresses can help prevent and alleviate bedsores, providing a more comfortable and healthy sleeping environment for post-stroke patients.

Foam mattresses also offer a range of firmness levels, with softer sections for comfort and firmer sections for support. This allows for targeted pressure relief, providing extra support to areas of the body that need it. The multi-layered foam construction enhances comfort and support, ensuring a restful night's sleep, which is crucial for the recovery process.

Furthermore, foam mattresses are often lightweight and easy to transport, making them versatile for different settings. They are compatible with most hospital bed frames and can be adjusted to fit various sleeping positions. The adjustable height feature of some foam mattresses also makes it easier for patients to get in and out of bed, promoting independence and reducing the need for caregiver assistance.

Overall, foam mattresses, especially those with cross-cut technology, can be an excellent choice for post-stroke patients by minimising the risk of shearing, preventing bedsores, and providing targeted pressure relief, comfort, and support during the recovery journey.

Frequently asked questions