People who are undergoing cancer treatment spend a large part of their days in bed. Whether they are staying in bed to help deal with their pain or are feeling fatigued from the cancer procedures, patients will benefit from having a mattress that maximizes their comfort. Choosing the right mattress for cancer patients can ensure their bodies are fully supported and comfortable.
When selecting a mattress for a cancer patient, be sure to look out for a mattress that has the best quality materials and will provide these essential features:
- Pressure Relief
- Motion Isolation
- Cooler Temperature
- Good Sinkage and Responsiveness
- Edge Support
- Removeable and Washable Cover
Pressure Relieving Mattress For Cancer Patients
Patients who remain lying or sitting in bed in the same position for extended periods of time run the risk of developing bed sores as a result of pressure that is exerted on the joints and skin. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management explains that pressure sores affect patients’ quality of life and ability to recuperate from excruciating treatments.
Foam mattresses help reduce pressure points when cancer patients lie down for a long time.
This is why having a mattress that relieves pressure is essential for a cancer patient’s recovery. Mattresses with reactive foam and gel memory foam are some of the best types for bed-bound patients because the foam molds to the body and minimizes excess pressure being exerted on a particular area.
Choose The Best Mattress to Reduce Motion Transfer
Choosing a mattress with motion transfer capabilities is useful for someone who shares a bed with a cancer patient when they come home from the hospital. The movement that occurs with a regular mattress whenever one partner gets out of bed or turns over can be disturbing for a patient who needs sleep to assist their recovery. The mattress-in-box varieties that are available are made of responsive foam that reduces motion transfer.
A mattress with motion isolation dampens any movement across the surface of the mattress so that no rocking or rolling movement is felt. Many mattress-in-a-box varieties have the type of motion isolation features that can make cancer patients feel more comfortable. Mattress-in-a-box manufacturers in Australia have some of the best motion isolation mattresses you can find. You can visit this page to learn more about the best mattress-in-a-box options in Australia and how their motion isolation features can help cancer patients feel more comfortable.
Temperature Control Mattresses For Cancer Patients
Some cancer patients struggle with nighttime sweating due to their treatment, which can be unbearable if the mattress retains too much heat. Finding a mattress with cool material that dissipates extra heat away from the body will ensure a more restful sleep and better recovery.
Gel-infused foam mattresses dissipate heat and can help cancer patients who feel feverish.
Memory foam is one of the warmer materials found in modern mattresses and is not ideal for cancer patients, but gel-infused foam or hybrid mattresses with individually wrapped coils as their bottom layer can help keep the mattress cooler. Gel foam mattresses provide excellent support and have cooling gel dispersed throughout the mattress surface to help keep the mattress temperature cooler.
Cancer Patients Need a Mattress With Strong Edge Support
A cancer patient will need to get out of and into bed many times throughout the day and night, whether to go to the bathroom or have a meal. A mattress with strong edge support will make these movements much easier because the patient can rest on the edge of the bed as they adjust their position to either stand up or lay down.
They may also need to sit on the edge of the bed to take their medication or change their sitting position occasionally. The mattress’s edge must maintain its shape and not buckle or sag under the pressure when someone sits on the edge of the bed, so choosing a mattress with reinforced edges or edge support of 4 inches is ideal for cancer patients.
A Mattress With Good Sinkage and Responsiveness Helps Cancer Patients
A mattress that has adequate sinkage will make the patient feel fully supported when lying down, which will promote more restful sleep. Whether the patient is lying on their back or side, the sinkage rate of the mattress will ensure the spine is kept in a comfortable neutral position and that the neck, shoulders, and hips are enveloped in plush foam that relieves aches and pains.
A responsive mattress cradles a cancer patient’s body and helps them to sleep more comfortably.
Because the mattress is responsive, it will adjust to the patient’s movements so that they don’t feel trapped in the mattress whenever they change sleeping positions. A mattress that recovers from compressions quickly means the patient will feel more relaxed when sleeping.
A Removeable and Washable Mattress Cover Ensures Better Hygiene for Cancer Patients
Because patients spend so much time in bed, it is important that the cover be easy to clean and put back on the bed. Choosing a mattress with a removable and washing washable outer cover makes keeping the bed clean and comfortable an easy task. If possible, a waterproof cover is ideal in case any liquids are spilled on the bed, so look out for this option when it’s available.
Many mattress covers are also made from hypoallergenic fabrics that will not only reduce the accumulation of allergens that can make cancer patients sick but will also minimize the chances of skin irritants for the patients.
Summary of Mattress Features that Are Important For Cancer Patients
| Mattress Features | Benefits For Cancer Patients |
|---|---|
| Pressure relief | Reduces the occurrence of bed sores |
| Motion isolation | Improves sleep quality because sleep is undisturbed |
| Temperature control | Reduces night sweats caused by fever and maintains a cooler mattress temperature |
| Excellent edge support | Makes getting in and out of bed easier for the patient |
| Good sinkage and responsiveness | It cushions the joints so the patient’s muscles feel relaxed and makes changing positions easier |
| Removeable and washable cover | Ensures the mattress is always hygienically clean |
Wrap-Up About Mattresses For Cancer Patients
Cancer patients need a comfortable bed when they come home from treatment, and finding the ideal mattress can help them overcome the discomfort and pain associated with cancer treatments. Cancer patients should have a mattress that relieves pressure points and has cooling features so that their aching muscles and joints can feel soothed during recovery. Because patients have to get out of and into bed several times a day, their mattresses must have strong edges that can withstand the pressure of them sitting on the bed’s edge. Motion isolation and responsiveness are essential mattress features that will benefit cancer patients because they ensure minimal disturbances to a patient’s sleep and recovery time.
