Being bedridden comes with a range of physical and emotional difficulties – not the least being that the patient is more susceptible to developing bedsores.

Bedsores can greatly increase a bedridden patient’s pain and discomfort, as well as being a great source of misery during the time and treatment needed to heal them.

One good thing, however, is that bedsores are preventable. One of the most effective ways to do this is via the use of a low air loss mattress. Here are five great ways a bedridden patient can benefit from using one:

1. Pressure relief

Low air loss mattresses are inflatable mattresses comprised of air-filled cells. They are designed in a way to reduce constant pressure being placed on the body of a patient when lying down on it. Instead, this pressure is well distributed so that bedsores – also known as pressure sores – do not form. This pressure relief is also a benefit for patients with existing sores which need healing.

2. Prevents moisture build-up

Bedsores are more likely to develop on weakened areas of skin. Areas that are constantly exposed to moisture can become easily damaged and, therefore, weakened. Low air loss mattresses provide a constant airstream circulation between the mattress and the patient’s skin. This stream prevents moisture and humidity from building up, e.g., from sweat. It also means the skin’s temperature can be kept at a constant level – again preventing perspiration.

3. Comfort

Since low air loss mattresses are inflatable and made up of air cells, many patients find it to be a far more comfortable alternative to a normal hospital or domestic mattress. A priority for any bedridden patient, especially those with existing sores, is maintaining a feeling of comfort. Low air loss mattresses offer this important element to a patient – almost helping them feel as if they are sleeping on a bed of air.

4. Portable

If a bedridden patient needs to have frequent hospital visits or even desires to stay at a different location on occasions, one benefit of a low air loss mattress is that it is portable. The mattress can be deflated for travel and then re-inflated again when needed. Most will fit easily onto an existing bed frame. Many bedridden patients appreciate this convenience.

If you are considering investing in a good low air loss mattress for a bedridden patient, find a store that is reputable at selling reliable and effective mattress systems. One good option is Volkner.com. Here you’ll find low air loss mattresses which have a unique feature called the Volkner System. This special system is a turning system which means the patient is gently turned every 4, 5 or 6 minutes, as preferred, so that they don’t have to be moved manually to prevent them becoming uncomfortable in bed, and also as an extra measure against the development of bedsores. Visit the website to also view other mattresses such as the alternating pressure mattress and bariatric mattress which are also effective products for the prevention of bedsores and for the comfort of the bedridden patient.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

If you’re taking care of a sick and bedridden loved-one, you’ll want to help them avoid the misery of developing bedsores. Sadly, every bedridden patient is susceptible to these sores.

In particular, it’s wise to note these 8 risk factors:

1. Elderly

In the elderly, skin is generally thinner and more vulnerable to developing sores. The reduced quality of skin and the blood vessels supplying it, can also mean they are more difficult to heal. If the elderly patient is in a nursing home, this risk factor also increases.

2. In a coma

Since a patient in a coma cannot move without help – and they are also not alert to respond to any feelings of pain and discomfort caused by pressure on their skin – they are more likely to develop bedsores. Similarly, other patients who are alert but still unable to feel pain in certain areas of their bodies, will not be aware if pressure sores are developing or feel the need to change positions in bed.

3. Poor diet

Poor diet leads to the body’s weakened state. In particular, it has been found that diets low in protein, Vitamin C and Zinc, all contribute to the patient being in a high-risk category for developing bedsores.

4. Low weight

It is common for the bedridden to lose weight. If a patient already has low fat and muscle content, their bones are closer to their skin and able to generate more friction while lying in bed. This friction results in bedsores.

5. Incontinent

A problem with incontinence means the patient has to endure periods of moisture in the lower part of their body. This moisture is something that leads to the break down of the skin – a perfect condition for a bedsore to form.

6. Certain illnesses

Patients who are diabetic or have vascular diseases which affect their circulation, will have problems with their blood-flow reaching certain areas of tissue. This tissue will then be prone to becoming easily damaged.

7. Smoking

The nicotine in a cigarette affects circulation and smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen in the body, affecting the body’s healing abilities.

8. Low mental awareness

Patients with low mental awareness are unlikely to take action against developing bedsores, such as turning themselves or informing a caregiver about areas of pain and discomfort.

If your patient or bedridden loved-one falls into any of these high-risk categories, the best course of prevention is to invest in a low air loss mattress system or alternating pressure mattress. These mattresses inhibit the development of bedsores by turning the patient’s body every few minutes, preventing areas of continuous pressure from developing and by protecting the skin against moisture and damage. If a patient is unaware of their need to change positions in bed, or just unable to, these mattresses eliminate the need for a caregiver to constantly turn their patient.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

It is never an easy thing to see a loved-one having to endure the condition of being bedridden. It might almost seem there is little one can do to ease the physical discomfort or emotional distress caused by their predicament.

If you wish to give your loved-one a gift to bring a smile back to their face, here are 4 great gifts they might truly value:

1. Your Time

It might sound clichéd but your time is probably the most valuable thing you can offer a patient who is bedridden. When confined to a bed and suffering physical or emotional pain, the concern, love and attention from someone who cares might be the most uplifting gift a bedridden person could receive. Having someone to distract a loved-one from their illness or discomfort, to listen to their thoughts or feelings, or just having someone to talk to, could have a positive impact on their mental wellbeing – this in turn could have an impact on their physical wellbeing, too.

If you don’t have the money for a special gift, give your loved-one the gift of your time. They might value it more than you know.

2. Help Them Be Themselves Again

Often one of the most soul-destroying aspects of being bedridden is the patient’s inability to enjoy the things they used to when they were independent and healthy. Find out about things your loved-one enjoys or hobbies they used to have. Then try to help them enjoy them again. For example, if your loved-one used to enjoy bike rides or hiking, bring them an outdoor or biking magazine with lots of colorful pictures inside – ask them to tell you about their memories of expeditions to help bring them alive again. Or if your loved-one misses seeing their family or friends, make a scrapbook with recent pictures and messages from them all.

With a personal touch, some thought and some effort, you might be surprised at how special a gift like this could be to your loved-one.

3. Over-The-Bed Table

This might seem like a small aid, but if your loved-one doesn’t already have an over-the-bed table, make it a priority to get them one. A table can be used for playing cards on or as a surface to place a drafts board, scrapbook, laptop, reading book or other things to amuse or entertain.

Remind your loved-one that being bedridden doesn’t mean they have to stop enjoying themselves.

4. Alternating Pressure Mattress

One of the biggest miseries of being bedridden is developing bedsores. These painful wounds can caused extreme physical discomfort as well as emotional distress. Thankfully technology has allowed the invention of alternating pressure mattresses. These mattresses prevent bedsores by helping the patient move slightly every few minutes – varying the amount of pressure being placed on different parts of the body over time. It also eliminates the need to for a patient to be physically moved by another person during the day – a task that is generally not enjoyed by the patient.

Investing in an alternating pressure mattress for your loved-one could be a gift that enhances their physical wellbeing in a very important way.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).

Being bedridden is a predicament that can cause a lot of misery, both physically and emotionally. If you have the responsibility of taking care of a bedridden loved-one, you’ll want to do everything you can to make them feel as comfortable as possible, despite their circumstances.

These four essential tips will show you how to make your loved-one feel more comfortable in bed.

1. Hygiene

Ensuring the hygiene and cleanliness of your patient is an important part of your responsibility. It will also contribute to their feeling of wellbeing.

Allow your patient to bathe and clean themselves as much as possible, with your aid, on a daily basis. Alternatively, offer daily bed baths to refresh, cleanse and relax them. Make sure all parts of the body are thoroughly washed and then dried.

Brush their teeth as often as they request, wash and shampoo their hair and keep finger and toenails clean and trimmed. Apply moisturizers to dry hands and feet and help with make-up application or shaving needs if required. Use the bath and cleansing time to provide a back or foot rub to help stimulate your patient’s circulation and to also soothe and relax them.

2. Comfort while lying down

You don’t want your loved-one to feel any discomfort while lying down in bed. Ask them where they feel any areas of strain, e.g., their back or joints, and experiment with different lying positions – include the use of bed and pillow supports to find their most comfortable position. If you’re changing your patient’s position in bed, communicate as much as you can to help them co-operate and anticipate your moving them.

Sometimes a draw sheet and an extra helper may be needed to move the patient. If possible, purchase a hospital bed that allows the patient to lie and sit up in varying positions of comfort with the touch of a button.

3. Changing the bed

Aim to change your patient’s bed linens as often as possible – daily being ideal. If they become soiled, it is a priority to change linen immediately, without delay. Placing a protective draw sheet across the middle of the bed can make changing soiled sheets easier, as can using waterproof coverings (along with a cotton pad for the patient’s comfort). If the patient is still in bed when changing the sheets, make half of the bed at a time, rolling the patient to each side as the other is being made.

4. Alternating pressure mattress

Invest in a good alternating pressure mattress to prevent your loved- one from developing painful bedsores that could further affect their health and comfort. An alternating pressure mattress is a mattress that is filled with segregated air cells. These cells are alternately filled with air or partially deflated via a pump, so that no areas of continuous pressure are placed on the patient’s body. As well as preventing bedsores, these mattresses help heal existing sores and also avoids the need for the patient to be moved manually every few hours.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.volkner.com as the original source).