Pressure care is about redistribution, not just softness
A common misconception is that a softer mattress automatically means better pressure care. In practice, effective pressure redistribution is about how well a surface spreads body weight across a wider area, particularly at bony prominences like heels, hips, and the sacrum — which is a function of foam density, air cell design, or alternating pressure technology, not just softness.
Matching mattress to risk level
Foam and high-density mattresses suit lower-risk clients who are still reasonably mobile in bed. Alternating air mattresses, which cyclically inflate and deflate different zones, are generally reserved for higher-risk clients with limited mobility or existing skin integrity concerns, and are usually recommended following an OT or nursing assessment.
The bed base does real work too
An adjustable bed base isn't just about comfort — head and knee elevation assists with repositioning, reduces shear force on skin during movement, and can support safer transfers in and out of bed. Pairing a pressure-care mattress with a fixed, non-adjustable base often undermines the benefit of the mattress itself.
Sizing and compatibility matter
Not every mattress is compatible with every adjustable base — foam density and construction affect how well a mattress flexes with the base rather than resisting it. Always check manufacturer compatibility before pairing a new mattress with an existing base, or ask us to confirm compatibility before ordering.
Review regularly, not just at setup
Pressure care needs change over time as mobility and health change. What was right at initial assessment may need revisiting six or twelve months later — particularly after a hospital stay or a change in mobility.