In my earlier post Bedsore Prevention Part 1, I mentioned the importance of a good bed, and I used Hill-Rom as an example. The main reason beds like these are so helpful for preventing bedsores is that they can be set to gently roll your patient from side to side at regular intervals. The timing, speed, and amount of the roll can be preset, and can be set to be more gentle than...
you could do it yourself. You can reposition the patient yourself, of course, but it is difficult to monitor that consistently around the clock, and you might need a second person to help. These beds can do the shifting so gradually that it won't wake or disturb the patient.
Some models of these beds also can have a percussion setting. For someone with respiratory problems, this acts like a regular pat on the back to help loosen any accumulation in the lungs. Some also have temperature controls to prevent sweat buildup, since sweating increases the chances of skin problems.
As I said before, these beds are expensive and the full featured models are not even available for home. The mattresses and controls, which are still expensive, are available for home use.
It is frustrating that you can't usually get these beds under most insurance unless unless there already is a sore.
Even the better nursing facilities won't have these, so you need to ask the physician if this would be appropriate. I was surprised that at a better known nursing facility in South Florida, the staff wasn't familiar with beds like these and needed to be trained to use the one we had them get.
More than the beds, the important point is proper positioning. You can still get that with your existing bed by using wedge pillows, which are available at medical supply stores. You just have to be attentive and reposition regularly.
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