Pressure care mattresses

Your therapist or nurse will look at your mobility, weight, continence, medical history and current skin condition, then recommend a suitable mattress type. This might be a high-specification foam mattress, a static air mattress or an alternating air mattress with a pump. The right choice depends on pressure injury risk and how much you can move yourself in bed. It is important to follow clinical advice rather than choosing based on comfort alone.

Some pressure care mattresses must be used on hospital or homecare bed bases to work safely, especially alternating air systems that move with electric bed functions. Others may be compatible with standard bed bases. Always check compatibility and safety with your therapist and our team, and review the technical information in our product catalogues before setting up a mattress on a non-hospital frame.

Yes, they often feel different. Many pressure care mattresses are designed so you “immerse” more into the surface, which spreads pressure more evenly. Alternating air mattresses may have a gentle cycling sensation as cells inflate and deflate. Most people adjust over time and find them comfortable, but it is normal for the mattress to feel different to a standard inner-spring bed.

Replacement time depends on the mattress material, the user’s weight, how often it is used and how well it is cared for. All pressure care mattresses should be checked regularly for sagging, cracks, cover damage or loss of support. Your nurse or therapist can advise when a mattress is no longer performing well enough and should be replaced as part of the pressure injury prevention plan.

Most pressure care mattresses have waterproof, wipeable covers that should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It is important to avoid sharp objects, minimise “sagging” from poorly fitting bases and use suitable sheets and mattress protectors that do not interfere with pressure redistribution. Regular visual checks and cleaning are part of good pressure care, along with turning, skin checks and medical review.

In many cases, pressure care mattresses are funded as assistive technology under the NDIS when they are prescribed or recommended by an allied health professional and linked to goals such as staying at home safely, reducing pressure injury risk and improving sleep. The funding pathway and evidence needed depend on risk level and mattress type. For more information on assistive technology, you can visit the NDIS page on assistive technology explained . Our team can provide quotes, product specifications and invoices for participants, support coordinators and plan managers.

Some pressure care mattresses may be available for short-term hire through our dedicated hire service, especially for post-surgical recovery or while funding is being arranged. Current hire options are listed at https://hire.shhc.com.au/ . From our Bentleigh showroom in Melbourne, Victoria, we supply pressure care mattresses and bed systems across Melbourne, including the Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine Peninsula, with shipping to many locations Australia wide. If you are unsure which mattress is right for you, please contact our team with details from your therapist so we can help narrow down suitable options.