Adjustable mattress question

[Cherise77]

My parents are looking to buy a split king adjustable mattress so my Dad can sit upright when needed without waking my Mom.

Is there any type of mattress that fellow pALS can suggest that’s better than another?

They’re looking at the Serta icomfort TempActiv and the Tempurpedic Pro-Align.

Any suggestion or advice is much appreciate.

Thanks

 

[lgelb]

I would encourage them to consider side by side beds to accommodate a Hoyer for your dad when that time comes and to accommodate more positions meanwhile. If he has a full-featured hospital bed (which doesn't have to look like one, with linens and foregoing the headboard and/or footboard), she can be a couple of inches away in whatever bed she likes.

 

[Cherise77]

Thank you for your advice.

Sorry I don’t know enough about the next stage. Can you give examples of why the hoyer has to get to both sides of the bed? If the hoyer base can fit under and be used on one side is that not enough? Also would the feature of moving the hospital bed up and down become very important in the future?

Thank you

 

[Mary2]

The moderators can probably explain this better , but for me I need to be able to reach my PALS on both sides of the bed to position him and turn him side to side. I had the bed against the wall for awhile but once PALS needed positioning I moved it away from the wall. And for me raising the bed has probably been the reason I haven't hurt my back so far. If I had to lean way over to position him and do a tube feeding in the bed and so forth, I think my back would become sore.

 

[lgelb]

Yes, a hospital bed needs a couple of inches away from the wall to bring the head up. And a couple of inches to the side is helpful for changing sheets/adding/using a slip sheet, eye drops, lotions, cleaning, repositioning as Mary notes, feedings, the urinal, dressing/massage on that side, and when you bring the Hoyer in on the other side, going on the far side to adjust the cradle before the transfer into the angled bed. Those are just a few examples.

For the record, this isn't just for ALS. Anyone who is dependent on caregiver support in bed is best served with both sides clear. A few people here have made one bed work, but I could not have, for anyone I've attended. The same is true for bed height -- yes, adjusting it for care, transfers, and positioning is essential as well.

 

[Dot Nichols]

I agree with the suggestions but here's another take on it: We shared a queen bed for 60 years, but I am such a light sleeper, that I might not survive sleeping in the same room when my pals has to sleep sitting up. I am next door and we have our phones beside us. Also, I have hired a caregiver to get him up in the mornings, so I need the privacy. So much to consider.....are you able to sort this out with your mom and dad.

 

[affected]

We had to move Chris into the living room to have enough space for the equipment and used a baby monitor for me to hear him if he needed me at night.

 

[MupstateNY]

My spouse can sleep through anything! A few days ago, the cat woke me up, scratching on the side of the bed, wanting to be let out IMMEDIATELY. I was super-groggy from my new Riluzole. So I did my usual log roll to get out of bed, but something went a little wrong, and I ended up on the floor. So I got my family to go to Lowes and buy a two-foot-long grab bar for the wall near my side of the bed. They are planning to install it on Tuesday. I'm thinking diagonal orientation would be good.

I want our 19yo to learn to do simple repairs and installations like this. I am so aware now of the things I want him to learn while I'm still around (e.g. the sewing machine, to fix a simple ripped seam! sewing on buttons!). My spouse doesn't think very pedagogically, but I think I got them on board for the grab bar.

 

[Nikki J]

Maybe a bed cane would work well for you

 

[lgelb]

Generally, PALS should not need to sleep sitting up, with the right bed and angles for the upper and lower body.

 

[Cherise77]

Thank you for all the responses. I’m discussing with my parents now. I believe the right route is two separate beds as it sounds like being able to access my Dad on all sides will be important.

We appreciate your help and guidance as we navigate another stage with this terrible disease.

God bless you all

 

[Bestfriends14]

My hubby and I have had a split king adjustable bed for 2.5 years. The hoyer lift has been no problem to use, nor has getting to him to adjust him been an issue. I just get on the bed beside him to turn him and I've not been bothered by it at all. My PALS sleeps partially sitting up due to his poor diaphragm strength, so the split king works well for us. Ours is a temperpedic with vibrations, foot and head raise and lower, and under bed lighting. I would trial something like a hospital bed because some PALS loathe them because they're not comfortable at all (to some PALS).

 

[Tomswife]

My PALS cannot recline more than 60 degrees. He has bulbar weakness, not respiratory weakness. He uses a lifting power recliner and has not been using the hospital bed.
He is akso not comfortable on his back.
The few times i did get him to recline on his side on the bed he could only do it for a short time because it hurt his legs.
We also can't use sheets on the hospital bed, because he got tangled in the sheets. No sheets.
But I dont know if Tom's issues are typical. As they say with ALS, everyone is different.

 

[lgelb]

The bed actually allows for a shallower head angle because you control the lower body and this can relax the muscles. With a comfortable mattress and overlay/topper, a hospital bed can usually make back sleeping possible. Some PALS stick to the recliner -- whatever works best -- but the bed actually provides more options for positioning when you play with it, so maybe give it another shot before settling for the recliner.

Instead of sheets, a fleece blanket, thin quilt or comforter may work. Besides the heated mattress pad I recommended, you can use a flannel or fleece fitted sheet for more warmth underneath. There are a lot of options these days.

 

[Tomswife]

Yes. We have lots of cozy lightweight throws. The VNA said an OT person can help with bed use. We haven't given up on the bed yet. But my PALS will only use recliner at this time.