Hi all. Mom has advanced dementia, is in her own home with full time care and myself and brother with her 24/7. She is still able to transfer with assistance, but spends a ton of time in bed.
She has an alternating pressure mattress topper, but she recently pulled a muscle in her lower back and my bro thinks she needs a new mattress.
I am not sure, but see a bunch of options on line. I assume those expensive ones could be more comfortable than what hospice provides? Maybe?
Anyone have any experience with this and could you suggest the super best most comfortable supportive mattress EVER for my dear Mom?
Thank you in advance for your help during this sucky hard time :(
Check with your hospuce nurse. It makes a bug difference on the comfort level.
I have a blow up mattress pad like the ones used in the Hospital in our that keeps the pressure evenly distributed, I can pump it up or decrease the air.
it works wonders, as well as the Honey Comb gel Seat covers for his Wheelchairs seat and his walker, the car and kitchen chair when he can get up.
Your Brother says a new mattress? Then let him pay for it.
Meanwhile, get some Flexeril for Mom's pulled muscle in her back, it works great! What I used recently.
A hospital bed can make a huge difference! Because the back can be raised, the legs can be raised, and get one with adjustable bed height, which makes it easier for care providers as well as setting just the right height for mom to get in and out.
Also, just changing the position a little bit a few times a day, to shift the pressure points.
I feel like mattress choices are subjective. A firm mattress is best for some, while others will benefit from something softer, with more give.
Unless she has a really bad mattress now, I don't think a change in mattress will make much difference. If she says this mattress is uncomfortable, then I would try getting the opposite. For instance, if she is uncomfortable with an overly soft mattress, try something firmer, or with spring support. If it is too hard, then try something softer.
A pulled muscle in her back is going to take some time to heal. Just finding different positions for her body, moving her gently, and taking some ibuprofen will help.
We have a king sized Select Comfort mattress where each side's firmness is separately controlled. My husband has his at 50 (which feels like sleeping on concrete to me) and mine is 25 (and he says it feels like sleeping on a marshmallow but not in a good way).
Your Mom pulling a muscle in her lower back probably has nothing to do with her mattress. And healing the pulled muscle (or preventing future pulls) will also probably have nothing to do with a new expensive mattress.
Has she actually complained about the mattress? Maybe some PT or a gentle massage would be a better solution.
If I had stupid amounts of money I would buy one of those electronic adjustable beds so I raise the head, sit up, bend at the knee and raise/low it vertically. I looked into one for my Mom and they cost a ton. My Mom prefers to sleep in her recliner because it conforms to her body better.