Bedmakers use different materials for their products. These materials determine to a large extent, the benefit you will gain from using them, and that is why users are always careful when selecting the bed that will better suit their needs.
Memory foam is a type of material used for making bedding, and since its debut in the bed-making industry, it has continued to grow in popularity. The material is used in making all sorts of bedding products, like mattresses, toppers, and pillows.
Mattress or other products made with memory foam are known for providing users with comfort as they are said to be suitable for all sleeping positions. But does this mean you can use a memory mattress on a hospital bed? This helpful article talks at length about this interesting question.
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What are memory foam mattresses?
Memory foam is a type of material made from polymer polyurethane. This polyurethane is then mixed with other hard chemicals, which makes it viscous, and that is why the end product (bed) is usually very soft and has a sinking feeling when you lay on them. What makes this type of foam more interesting is that when they are exposed to heat, they soften and blends with the shape of the body of their users for personalized support and comfort.
Can hospital bed use Memory foam mattresses?
Yes, you can use a memory foam mattress on a hospital bed. Memory foam mattress is known for certain qualities that make them one of the most popular choices for making bedding. Of all these qualities, some stand out and align with the characteristics of a typical hospital bed. For example, a memory foam mattress provides support for the back, aligns the spinal cord, and reduces the pressure point.
Some of the qualities mentioned above are essential to keep patients comfortable while they stay in bed. So a memory foam mattress should be one of the most considered bedding for a hospital bed.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of memory foam mattresses in hospital bed?
Advantages of memory foam mattresses in hospital bed
- They help in relieving pains
Memory foam mattresses are excellent pain relievers, which is why they are often recommended to people suffering from fibromyalgia and arthritis. Hence, if you are the type that experiences pain while sleeping on the regular type of bed, a memory bed will mold into your shape and give you comfort.
- Pressure point relief
The memory foam mattress is viscoelastic, which makes the bed contour easily to the user’s shape, hugs the user’s curve, and can return to its original state once the user gets up from the bed. The elasticity and viscosity of the bed allow the patients to distribute weight evenly across the body, thereby eliminating pressure on one side or part of the body.
- Ideal for every sleeping position
With the contouring attribute of a memory bed, sleepers can sleep comfortably in any position: back sleepers enjoy lumbar support from the bed, the hips and shoulders of side sleepers are supported, and the lower back of stomach sleepers don’t get the bow into the bed. This is one of the reasons this type of bed should be considered for hospitals, as patients can sleep peacefully in any position without complaining of discomfort.
- Hypoallergenic
Memory foam is considered hypoallergenic as most of the materials used in making the bed type, like feather and wool, are less likely to trigger allergies. So if you are the type that is allergic to certain elements like dust, mold, pet dander, and pollen, memory foam should be one of the top mattresses you should consider getting.
- Spinal alignment
When you are sleeping, your spine should ordinarily be as straight as you are standing. Sleeping on the wrong mattress or surface may cause your spinal cord to bend in a certain way or be angled unnaturally, leading to soreness or any kind of pain. Sleeping on memory foam supports the spinal cord and makes them assume its natural form while you sleep on them.
Disadvantages of memory foam mattresses in hospital bed
- Heat
Memory bed is a viscoelastic mattress, and the common problem with mattresses made with material like this is that they tend to retain heat, meaning you get hot easily when you sleep in them. However, with the use of a thermostat to reduce heat and the use of lighter beddings, this side effect has been reduced to the nearest minimum.
- Expensive
Leave it or take it; memory foam material is one of the top-quality mattresses you will find in the mattress market today. Some of its features and advantages stated earlier state it all. But unfortunately, all these benefits come with a price — they are usually very expensive.
Memory foam sells for at least a thousand dollars in the market, meaning you may not find this kind of bed in all hospitals or homes as they are different from what you can call affordable.
Is Memory foam durable?
Yes, memory foam is durable. An average mattress is expected to last for at least 7 to 10 years. The lifespan of a typical memory form is also likely to be within this range. Therefore, if a hospital invests in this top-quality bed for their patient, it is a type of bed that will withstand the test of time.
When should memory foam be replaced?
You should know this; memory foam can last longer than the above lifespan if they are properly maintained. But even at that, you should change your memory foam when they are at least 10 years because by then, its quality level would have diminished.
Is Memory foam good for hospital beds?
Yes, a memory bed is suitable for a hospital bed. Although a memory bed is not specially designed to be used in the hospital, it is designed to have most of the qualities you will see in a standard hospital bed.
Hospital beds are designed for comfort, and when you consider certain features of these bed types, like spinal adjustment, alleviating pain, reduction of pressure points, and so on, you can’t help but conclude that they are suitable for hospital beds. And if that’s your conclusion, you are 100% correct.