Would you please share your pressure ulcer prevention (mattress, pads, etc.) experiences?

My mother is 97 and has dementia. She is currently mobile; but, 2 years ago she fell and fractured her pelvis. At that time, we brought in a hospital bed with the standard mattress. On top of the mattress, we placed an adjustable/electric air mattress that looks like the bottom of an egg crate. It can be set from soft (80 lbs.) to firm (280 lbs.). She did NOT get any bed sores for the 6-9 months that she was bed-ridden (I've forgotten how long). We are still using, and absolutely love this product! It is by Proactive! While there may be newer products, the info on the "pressure device" says, "Protekt Aire 1500, Alternating Pressure Mattress & Pump Systems." Look into this. I hope this helps you. Let us know.
BTW, I've heard that Manuka honey is good for healing bed sores. The family of my mother's now deceased neighbor used it and had some great results. However, I can NOT vouch for its healing.

Prevention is the key since they are difficult to heal. The key is to keep moving them till them from side to side every few hours. ( so I have been told) but if find at least 4 or more times a day is good. Try to prop limbs on pillows to keep the weight off. Creams like chloroseptine also work when they first start to look red

Anabanana: I have an almost pressure sore on my heel and my podiatrist has rx'd a device allowing the heel to float when seated or lying.

Hospice provided my husband with a variable pressure pad to put on his regular mattress. He never got a bedsore. It was a little noisy but we adapted to it. He also had dementia. A&D ointment also helped.

I am an RN in a hospital. Air fluidized beds are not noisy and provide added relief since it simulates floating in water. Ask about rental costs - since those are always rented and not purchased. Staff should be turning her every 2 hours and keeping her off any areas that are troublesome (usually the sacrum). They can use pillows or foam wedges to help her keep in position. In addition, she should get air to her bottom areas so she doesn't have problems associated with wetness. Some places may have canister suction devices and can use a Purewick device to gently suction away urine when she voids.

Hi Annabanana, My mother is 97 living with me at home (severe dementia). Yes we have the air bed. It is noisy but only because the mechanism hangs on the back of the bed. This noise does not affect my mam because she is severely deaf. but I could hear it, so I put a cushion alongside it to stop the vibration and it worked, can’t hear it at all. The bed has ridges so the air goes up and down the body periodically. You can set it to move every 10, 15 20 minutes. I use a jersey fitted sheet as nothing else fits properly or stay on and I put a fleece soft blanket underneath for warmth although this is probably not recommended but it would be too cold if I didn’t do that. She wears warm pjs and socks to keep her warm. My mams pressure sores are on her feet from kicking the bed and I have a foot cushion also which I got on Amazon. I hope this helps in your decision and if you have more questions I will gladly help if I can.

Research I found (although not directly related to a person 98. Consult your mother's medical provider.

What can I put on elderly bed sores? ___________________
Clean open sores with water or a saltwater (saline) solution each time the dressing is changed. Putting on a bandage. A bandage speeds healing by keeping the wound moist. It also creates a barrier against infection and keeps skin around it dry.

What is the best thing to prevent bed sores?
Relieve the Pressure__________________________________________________

Turning a patient who is bed-bound is the most important thing you can do to prevent pressure ulcers from occurring. Frequent turning alternates areas of pressure on bony areas, such as the lower back, hips, elbows, and heels.

Causes of pressure sores____________________________________________

Pressure sores happen if you can’t move around and so stay in one position for a long time. We normally move about constantly, even in our sleep. This stops pressure sores developing.

People who are unable to move around tend to put pressure on the same areas of the body for a long time. If you are ill, bedridden or in a wheelchair, you are at risk of getting pressure sores.

THIS INCREASES RISK of pressure sores:

being unable to move around easily due to old age or illness
weight loss - you may have less padding over bony areas
sliding down in a bed or chair - pressure on the skin cuts off blood supply because the skin is being pulled in different directions (called shearing)
friction or rubbing of the skin, for example against sheets
a poor diet
lack of fluid (dehydration)
moist skin - for example, due to sweating or incontinence
other medical conditions, such as diabetes 
having a previous pressure ulcer
Preventing pressure sores

It is much better to prevent pressure sores than to treat them. 
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) have guidelines on pressure sores.

Tips to prevent pressure sores /
Tips can help to prevent pressure sores_________________________________
Relieving direct pressure 
change position and keep moving as much as possible
stand up to relieve pressure if you can
ask your carer to reposition you regularly if you can't move
change position at least every 2 hours
use special pressure relieving mattresses and cushions
don't drag your heels or elbows when moving in your bed or chair
Skincare 
keep your skin clean and dry
avoid scented soaps as they can be more drying
moisturise your skin thoroughly after washing
avoid using talcum powder as this dries the skins natural oils
keep your skin well moisturized

General tip________________________________________________________ 
make sure the bedsheets are smooth and not wrinkled when you are lying in bed
sheets should be cotton or silk like fabric
eat a well balanced diet
have at least 2 litres of fluid a day
tell med provider if you notice skin changes or discomfort as soon as possible

I just bought this for my mom because medicare does not supply one unless they have 2 or more bed sores. If they are on hospice they also qualify. It is only $69.99 on Amazon and it is very quiet and I researched heavily into an affordable quiet mattress topper. (Vaunn Medical Cloud Air Whisper Quiet Alternating Air Pressure Mattress Topper with Pump Twin Size 36" x 78" x 3")
It is amazing. I recommend along with everything else mentioned here: rotating every 2 hours, transfers to seating, and keeping dry. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W9HK237/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

She needs to be turned every two hours she is in bed.

My wife was almost 3 years in bed on hospice. Had only one minor bed sore in the beginning. Bedsores need pressure and moisture to form. If one or the other can be eliminated the sore will either heal or not begin. Calmoseptine is an excellent preventive cream. It contains zinc which moisture proofs. I kept it on her tailbone area 24/7. I also put 2 small memory foam pads on either side fo her tailbone to reduce pressure.. So air mattress, pads, turning if possible and CALMOSEPTINE will heal bedsores.

ok this was some time ago but I cared for my father in law after a dense stroke and at first he was bed bound. 0ur physio advised 100 % natural sheepskin and that is what he had. He never suffered bed sores but did not have pyjama bottoms at that stage nothing to crease that he lay on. Eventually he stood and could walk and he lived about 15 years after the stroke passing away aged 82

I suggest an alternating pressure mattress pad. They have ultra quiet models.
I agree with others, that she will adjust.
I also suggest asking the doctor for a prescription for it to be covered by insurance, as it should be covered under equipment.
It sounds the they are on top of the issue, so take comfort in that.

Thank you all for your input.

Yes, she is bed bound. The staff is good about coaxing her into a wheelchair. She requires full support so she doesn’t slump or fall out. Nice to change her scenery and get her outdoors but she is mostly asleep, in bed.

She had pain and reddening of a spot 2nd last time I visited, but staff really stays on top of things and it is now gone.

The air matresses are really not loud at all. I had a couple of clients who used them and they do help, but they do not eliminate the need for regular repositioning (every 2 hours) along with excellent maintenance of personal hygiene and skin care.
The air matress is a good idea. Let your mother freak out. She'll freak out a lot more if she's in pain from a pressure sore. She'll get used to the air matress.

I'm not sure if your mother is bed bound. If not, then I can chime in on what has worked for my mom. My mom tends to get pressure sores on her buttocks and tailbone area. Her aides in board&care focus on keeping her mobile, moving every hour or so during the day. Even just standing up, changing chairs, moving rooms for her meals, TV, bathroom, so that she isn't in the same position all day. A ROHO inflatable pad has been good for her favorite chair, and her wheelchair. She is encouraged to use her walker throughout the day, instead of wheelchair. In fact I requested the wheelchair go in the garage unless absolutely needed for transport to an appointment or the like. A few inflatable waffle pads on other chairs are working too. I wish you success in finding a mattress that works. But don't forget about the rest of the day if she's mobile. I hope you find a combination that works.

Anabanana...do not "purchase" unless you have to. The bed may be covered by her insurance as DME (durable medical equipment)
Ask the doctor, if it is indicated he/she can write an order for it.

Ana...I could change the amount of airflow on my Husbands bed. The first one he had though had very little movement, it was just airflow. The last bed he got was when he was in bed for upwards of 10 to 12 hours then as he declined he was sleeping 23 hours.
If your mom is on Hospice ask about the types and it can always be changed if she does not like it.

My Husband had a Alternating Pressure mattress ordered by Hospice.
It was a bit noisy to begin with but I got used to the noise. It became more like "white noise" in the background. (I will say when he died and the bed was shut off I could not sleep that night because I missed the noise so I plugged the bed back in.)
When you turn the bed off the mattress deflated so if you were to get back into bed you have to turn it on first. It did not take long to inflate. Made, the bed looked like any other hospital bed.
With many of the air mattresses that either move, or inflate you can not use a lot of extra layers on them as it inhibits airflow. So no waterproof mattress pads, probably no thicker sheepskin and no extra gel pads. (If you can not blow air through it the airflow will not work properly.)