How To Choose The Right Air Mattress

Choosing the right air mattress for your elderly loved ones can be confusing given that there are so many different models available. In this article, we have created a simple guide to help you out.

1. Prevention or Treatment of bed sores: Does the user have existing bed sores?

• For users with no bed sores, select an air mattress designed for 'Prevention' of bed sores.
• HappyHome Basic Alternating Pressure Air Mattress
• 2.8" Bubble Pad Mattress
• Arise B Bubble Pad w/ Alternating Pressure Relief System 2.75"

• For users with existing bed sores, select an air mattress designed for 'Treatment and Prevention' of bed sores
• Deluxe Alternating Pressure Air Mattress
• Arise Alternating Pressure Relief System 4" (comes in 2 models: circular cells or rectangular cells)

2. Types of cells: Bubble Pad or Tubes, What's the difference?

• Bubble Pad: Affordable, but if one cell punctures, the entire air mattress will not work
• 2.8" Bubble Pad Mattress
• Arise B Bubble Pad w/ Alternating Pressure Relief System 2.75"

• Tubes: In the case of a puncture, individual tubes can be replaced without having to replace the entire mattress.
• Round type
• HappyHome Basic Alternating Pressure Air Mattress
• Deluxe Alternating Pressure Air Mattress
• Arise Alternating Pressure Relief System 4" (Standard, 18 cells)
• Rectangular type
• Arise Alternating Pressure Relief System 4" (Premium, 24 cells)

3. Mattress alternating system: Air mattresses operate on an alternating cycle of either A/B or A/B/C.

• A/B Alternating system: Inflation cycle means that 1 in 2 cells will take turns to inflate. (Refer to figure 1 below for illustration)

(Figure 1: HappyHome Basic Alternating Pressure Air Mattress)

• A/B/C Alternating system: Inflation cycle means that 2 in 3 cells will take turns to inflate. This means that there are more cells supporting the user at all times. It provides the best comfort and relief for pressure sores. (Refer to figure 2 below for illustration)

(Figure 2: Deluxe Alternating Pressure Air Mattress)

Summary

Other related Q&A:

Q. How do bed sores occur?

It can occur during prolonged periods of bed rest and/or on the wheelchair.

Q. What are the stages of bed sores?

Stage 1: No open wounds but the sore is painful on the skin & it can feel more firm/soft than other areas.

Stage 2: Skin breaks open and expands deeper into the skin. It can look like an abrasion or a blister.