Pressure Care Mattresses

Who May Need a Pressure Care Mattress?

A pressure care surface may be considered for people who:

• have limited mobility or spend extended time in bed;
• cannot change position without assistance;
• use a wheelchair for much of the day;
• have reduced sensation or difficulty noticing discomfort;
• are at risk of pressure injuries;
• have an existing pressure injury being managed by a clinician;
• need greater pressure redistribution than a standard sleep surface provides;
• require a specialised option for an adjustable or Hi-Lo bed.

Pressure injuries can develop when sustained pressure reduces local blood flow to tissue. Friction, sliding, stretching, heat and moisture may add to the risk of skin damage.

A suitable product can assist with reducing pressure across vulnerable parts of the body. However, it should not be treated as a standalone way to prevent or treat pressure injuries. Selection should form part of an individual care plan.

How Pressure Redistribution Works

A standard sleep surface may concentrate body weight around areas such as the heels, hips, shoulders, elbows and tailbone. These areas can become uncomfortable or vulnerable when a person remains in one position for a long time.

Pressure care products use foam, air cells or a combination of materials to spread weight more evenly. This can reduce peak interface pressure, which is the pressure measured where the body meets the sleep surface.

Different designs manage pressure in different ways:

• Specialised foam responds to the person’s shape and distributes weight through its material properties.
• Pumpless air systems use air cells without a continuously powered pump.
• Active air systems use a pump to inflate and deflate groups of cells over time, changing where the body is supported.
• Hybrid systems combine foam, air or other materials to balance redistribution, stability and comfort.

The potential benefits depend on the exact product, the person and how the system is used. No surface can guarantee improved circulation, pain relief, skin protection or pressure injury prevention.

How to Choose the Right Mattress

There is no single best option for every person. The right mattress should be chosen according to the individual rather than a diagnosis or pressure injury stage alone.

Consider the following factors before buying:

Mobility and Repositioning

A person who can move and change position independently may have different needs from someone who requires regular assistance.

Consider how much time the person spends in bed, whether they can reposition and what their existing care plan requires.

Skin Condition

Existing skin damage or a changing pressure injury risk requires appropriate clinical review.

If a pressure injury is already present, ask the treating clinician or occupational therapist whether the proposed product is suitable for the wider management plan.

Body Size and Load

The surface needs to accommodate the person safely and work as designed.

Check the exact product dimensions, user-weight guidance and safe working load. Safe working load means the maximum load permitted under the manufacturer’s stated conditions. It should not be inferred from body weight alone.

Comfort and Sensation

Firmness, heat, movement and pump sound may affect sleep and the person’s ability to tolerate a product.

Where possible, combine product specifications with a showroom trial and the person’s own feedback.

Transfers and Edge Support

Soft or air-based surfaces can behave differently when the person sits on the edge or transfers between the bed and a wheelchair.

Consider the transfer method, bed height, stability and edge behaviour before ordering.

Bed Compatibility

Not every specialised surface can be used with every bed.

Confirm the mattress depth, width, flexibility and manufacturer-approved pairing, especially when using an adjustable or Hi-Lo base.

Hygiene and Moisture

Heat, sweat, continence needs and fluid exposure may affect the person’s skin and the condition of the product.

Compare the cover construction, cleaning instructions and maintenance requirements for the exact model.

Need help finding a suitable option?

Bring the person’s measurements, current bed details and any clinical recommendations to a consultation. Our team can help narrow the relevant products and provide information for the treating professional.

Book a Mattress Consultation

Compare Foam, Pumpless and Active Air Systems

Specialised Foam

Foam options redistribute pressure through their density, shape, depth and internal construction. They do not require a powered pump and may provide a quiet, stable surface.

The quality and intended use of foam products vary. Do not assume that every high-density foam model provides the same level of pressure management. Check the manufacturer’s intended use, cover, edge support, load guidance and bed compatibility.

Pumpless Air and Hybrid Designs

A pumpless air surface may suit someone who needs air-cell redistribution without a continuously powered pump.

Hybrid products combine different support materials. One hybrid design may work very differently from another, so compare the internal construction, stability, maintenance and intended use rather than choosing by the category name alone.

Active Air Systems

An active or alternating system uses a powered control unit to change support across groups of air cells. These systems may be considered when their manufacturer-supported intended use and the person’s assessment indicate that powered pressure redistribution is appropriate.

Before choosing an active system, check:

• operating modes and controls;
• pump sound and surface movement;
• alarm functions;
• power-failure instructions;
• hose and cable placement;
• filter and servicing requirements;
• the person’s tolerance of movement;
• bed and accessory compatibility.

An active system may support a clinical pressure injury management plan when appropriate. It does not heal pressure injuries by itself or remove the need for wound care, repositioning and clinical monitoring.

Pressure Mapping and Guided Comparison

Life Changing Beds uses Reveal Compare by XSENSOR at its Hawthorn East showroom to compare interface-pressure patterns across selected sleep surfaces.

Pressure mapping uses sensors to show how pressure is distributed between the body and surface while the person is lying in a particular position. It can provide another source of information when comparing options.

A consultation may include:

1. discussing the person’s mobility, comfort and care needs;
2. checking the current bed, room and transfer requirements;
3. comparing relevant products in the showroom;
4. using pressure mapping where appropriate;
5. confirming the size, configuration and bed compatibility;
6. preparing a quote and product information for the buyer, occupational therapist or provider.

Pressure mapping is a comparison and decision-support tool. It does not diagnose a condition, prescribe treatment or guarantee a health outcome.

Learn About Pressure Mapping

Book a Showroom Consultation

Compatibility With Adjustable and Hi-Lo Beds

A product used with an adjustable or Hi-Lo base must flex safely as the head and leg sections move. It also needs to remain within the manufacturer’s dimensions and load guidance.

Before placing an order, confirm:

• platform and mattress dimensions;
• approved base compatibility;
• mattress depth and flexibility;
• combined load limits;
• transfer height;
• edge support;
• rail, pole and hoist requirements;
• possible gaps or entrapment risks;
• pump, hose and power positioning.

Raising the head section can cause the body to slide towards the foot of the bed. This may increase friction and shear. Shear occurs when the skin stays against the bedding while deeper tissue moves.

A compatible surface and cover may assist with pressure and shear management, but positioning should continue to follow the individual care plan.

Covers, Sheets and Moisture Management

A moisture-resistant cover can help protect the internal materials from fluid exposure. Some covers are also designed to stretch with the surface and allow heat and moisture vapour to escape.

For each product, check:

• whether the cover is removable or replaceable;
• supported moisture-resistance claims;
• supported vapour-permeability claims;
• seam and zip construction;
• approved cleaning products;
• pump filter or air-cell maintenance;
• instructions for tears or suspected fluid ingress.

Use sheets and protectors recommended by the manufacturer. Thick toppers, tightly fitted bedding or extra layers may change how the surface responds to body weight or how air cells move.

Follow the product manual rather than applying one cleaning or bedding rule across the full range.

NDIS and Other Funding Pathways

An eligible pressure care mattress may be funded through the NDIS when it relates to the participant’s disability support needs and meets the applicable funding criteria.

The NDIS does not approve every product by category, and a standard household mattress is not automatically funded.

Life Changing Beds works with participants, families, occupational therapists and plan stakeholders to prepare quotes and product information. The process may involve:

1. discussing the need with an occupational therapist or assistive technology advisor;
2. confirming the required assessment, trial and evidence;
3. selecting the exact product and configuration;
4. obtaining a detailed quote;
5. securing approval or payment authority before ordering.

A product may also be considered through Support at Home or another funding pathway. Ask the relevant assessor, provider or funding body to confirm current eligibility, contributions and approval requirements.

Request an NDIS or Provider Quote

Delivery, Installation and Consumer Rights

Delivery and installation are quoted according to the selected product, location and property access.

Depending on the written quote, the service may include:

• delivery to the property;
• room placement;
• setup and operational checks;
• product handover;
• packaging removal.

Tell our team about stairs, lifts, doorway widths, parking restrictions, room clearance and any existing bed that may need to be moved.

Lead time and price vary by model, size, customisation and current availability. Request written details for the exact configuration before ordering.

Manufacturer warranties also vary by product. Any additional warranty or comfort policy operates alongside your rights under Australian Consumer Law and does not replace those rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Pressure Care Mattress Prevent Pressure Injuries?

It may help reduce one risk factor by redistributing body weight, but it cannot guarantee prevention. Mobility, repositioning, skin checks, nutrition, moisture management and clinical care may also be important.

Can It Treat Pressure Injuries?

A specialised surface may be used as part of a clinical plan to treat pressure injuries, but it does not treat or heal them by itself. Existing wounds require assessment and ongoing management by an appropriate health professional.

Does It Improve Circulation?

Reducing sustained pressure may help avoid restricting local blood flow in vulnerable tissue. However, claims about improving circulation require evidence for the exact product and user. Seek medical advice about circulation concerns.

Can It Reduce Pain Around Sensitive Areas?

Reducing concentrated pressure may improve comfort for some people, including around the hips, shoulders or heels. It should not be assumed to relieve pain because pain has many possible causes and individual experiences differ.

Does It Replace Repositioning?

No. A specialised surface does not remove the need for an individual repositioning plan. Follow the advice of the treating team.

Can It Go on a Standard Bed Frame?

Some products may suit a compatible flat platform, while others are intended for adjustable or profiling bases. Check the exact product and bed pairing before use.

Can I Trial Different Options?

Selected showroom trials and pressure mapping may be available. In-home hire trials may also be available in some circumstances. Confirm the product, location, fee, duration, cleaning requirements and any purchase rebate before relying on a trial arrangement.

Find the Right Pressure Care Solution

The right choice needs to work for the person, their bed, their care plan and their home.

Visit Life Changing Beds at 624 Burwood Road, Hawthorn East, or contact our team for help comparing the available options.