My husband who is 7 years into MSA condition is spending large amounts of time in bed now and he cannot change his position without assistance. I am thinking an airflow mattress would be beneficial as feel he is going to be at risk of getting bed sores and may promote better sleep. I understand that we cannot be provided with such a mattress until he is actually developing bed sores, how crazy is this! Surely prevention is better than cure.
My question is has anyone got any advice about purchasing an air mattress? I feel we shall have to buy one privately.
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Jud11
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My mum needed an air mattress however she really struggled with the noise they made and it didn't aid restful sleep so we went with her comfort and timed her being moved with the help of a slide sheet. It may be worth trying your local hospice to see if they can help you get hold of one, they can often be great advocates. It's mad that you have to suffer before you can have what you need to prevent suffering!
Hi. Can't advise on mattresses but our OT was able to supply us with a Repose Mattress Overlay. It comes in a cylindrical device which is a pump (Think, pump for balloons, but bigger). The OT also supplied a small one; just for the wheelchair seat. They seem to be helping.
Take care. Sure there will be others on here who can give more help.
The local authority should supply you with an air mattress if your husband spends a lot of time in bed. However what they supply is pretty uncomfortable and noisy.
I bought my wife an Opera Impulse mattress and pump which is first class if a little expensive
You really shouldn’t need to buy one. The OT provided my husband with an air mattress which is a bit noisy but not bad at all, and a Toto mattress which turns him from side to side, both are excellent
Thank you for your response, our OT told me to contact District Nurse, who informed that unless my husband had skin trauma, he would not be eligible! I am taking it further.🙈🙈
My wife can spend up to 18 hours in bed some days. Our OT provided an air sprung mattress and pump. We don't notice the noise of the pump now, it's not a problem.
Surely it's to prevent skin trauma, you don't wait until you have bed sores which is likely if you spend a lot of time in bed !
In the early stages of MSA we purchased a lot of equipment ourselves, commodes and wheelchairs etc and were told by the OT a lot of things could have been provided.
It is so frustrating to say the least. As you say surely prevention is better than cure. I sometimes feel it is a lottery depending on whether you have supportive OT’s or not.
We too have bought a lot of equipment in the early stages of the condition and were then told OT could have provided it.
I have looked at purchasing a mattress and likely to cost £1,500. I intend taking it further before I go down this avenue though, my husband should be eligible for a NHS funded one.
As if we have not got enough to deal with living with this terrible condition, could do without added stress.
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