How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

hospital bed

Adjustable Beds Are Not Just for Hospitals Anymore

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CC Flickr photo courtesy of soschilds. Adjustable beds aren't just for hospitals anymore!

When most people think of adjustable beds, they instantly think of hospital beds. And while a few years ago many of them resembled hospital beds, today’s adjustable beds are more aesthetically pleasing. There are more younger people using adjustable beds today than in the past for a variety of reasons, most commonly because they get a better night’s sleep.

Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed

Before running out and buying one of the many mattresses on the market, you will need to consider the mattress especially made to fit on an adjustable bed, as not all mattresses will work on them so you will need to research how to choose the right mattress. Remember, when you buy an adjustable bed, you are buying the foundation and it is the mattress you are going to be sleeping on. It is important for your sleep comfort to choose your adjustable bed mattress carefully.

Knowing how these beds work will teach you how to choose a mattress for this type of bed. In most instances the traditional inner spring mattresses will not be a good choice for an adjustable bed as they don’t “give” when the bed folds and could slide out of position on the foundation. This will reduce the sleep quality of the mattress.

You should buy an adjustable bed from a reputable manufacturer with experience in the industry. Many will help you know how to choose a mattress for their style of foundation. You will also want the adjustable foundation that is easily assembled and moved and doesn’t require an engineering degree just to use it. The adjustable bed mattress should provide the same comfort regardless of the position the bed is in.

Tempurpedic now makes an adjustable bed that you might have seen on TV commercials.

Craftmatic is another adjustable bed brand that you are probably familiar with.

And the big name in mattresses, Sealy, also has an adjustable bed line.

Simmons also makes an adjustable bed.

Adjustable Beds: Things to Keep in Mind

Adjustable beds may not be for everyone. If you sleep on your side the bed will likely remain in the flat position, but if you watch television or read a lot in bed, finding the right adjustable bed mattress during your waking hours can make it a good investment provided you know how to decide on the right mattress for this type of bed.

There are many different types of adjustable bed mattresses such as the air filled mattresses, memory foam and adjustable mattresses made especially for them. The key thing to remember when you think about choosing a mattress is that it is going to be on an adjustable base. If the mattress is too rigid, it may not adjust to the same levels as the foundation. Even some of the best mattresses that do adjust properly may not be suited for your individual comfort needs.

When you go the store talk to someone who knows how to choose a mattress for the specific foundation you’re looking to buy, then spend some time lying on the mattress to make sure it’s comfortable for you. Another point when considering how to choose the right mattress should be the warranty.

Regardless of what the sales person may tell you about the bed and the adjustable bed mattress, if the promises are not in writing, it is not part of the warranty. The foundation warranty will typically be different from that of the mattress and probably provided by a separate manufacturer.

Do you own an adjustable bed? If so, tell us about the brand and what you think about it. Did we miss anything important with this post? Leave a comment!

Hospital Beds Help Recovery at Home

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CC Flickr photo courtesy of soschilds.

Many patients with lingering illnesses or the ones recovering from an accident with the prognosis of long-term recovery may consider having a hospital bed in the home to improve their comfort. Depending on the patient’s needs, there are essentially three types of hospital bed mattresses to choose from, each having specific functions.

The standard rented bed typically comes with a hospital bed mattress made with inner coil springs. This type of mattress is the most economical and usually the type approved by Medicare. However, there are some conditions that warrant different hospital bed mattresses, such as obesity, or pressure relieving mattresses for wound care or air mattresses offering alternating pressure to aid in recovery.

Of the three basic types, foam mattresses provide comfort similar to the inner spring type and are not that much more expensive. Therapy foam mattresses or multiple layer foam mattresses provide greater comfort, especially for patients with a long-term recovery outlook. Regardless of the type of mattress being used, mattress covers are recommended to protect the mattress.

Hospital Bed: Keeping the Patients Safe

When using a hospital bed, care must be taken to prevent injury. Between 1995 and 2010 there were reports of over 800 accidents, almost 500 resulted in death from being caught in the bed, trapped or otherwise entangled in a hospital bed. Guidelines have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration based on studies by the Hospital Safety Work Group, determining how patients can be kept safe.

Some patients have been tangled up in bedding and get caught between mattress and the side rails, as well as getting entangled in mattress covers that may not have been designed for the specific bed. Additionally, other covers on the mattress may slip off if used with the wrong type of covers making the patient uncomfortable.

Medicare will also pay for hospital mattresses and beds provided that the patients meet the established criteria. They must be a Medicare B participant and have a certificate of medical necessity signed by their doctor. The need can be established if the patient needs to sleep in positions not possible in a regular bad or has medical issues requiring them to sleep with their head up at as mush as a 30-degree angle or has a need for traction equipment that is unable to be attached to a regular bed.

In any event, hospital bed mattresses will generally be provided whether they are rented or purchased, and should be used with covers to protect the investment. In most instances a bed paid for by Medicare will also include standard maintenance to keep it functioning properly, but rarely will this pay for a hospital bed mattress or for the mattress covers.

There are many different types of hospital beds as well as mattresses that it is likely anyone can find the one that fits their comfort and budget. Insuring the use of mattress covers, and changing them each time it is needed, will extend the life of the mattress and the bed, as well as make the patient more comfortable.

Hospital Bed Resources:

Transfer Master is a manufacturer of hospital beds designed for the home.

Electro Ease is a business that sells at least 50 different brands of electric assist products, including hospital beds.

The FDA has this comprehensive page about hospital bed safety.