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Bed or Mattress for ease of turning
Any thoughts on the best mattress or base for pals? I am thinking firm might work best, but should I get an adjustable base? Memory foam scares me because it might swallow me up and prevent me from rolling over.
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6 Replies
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Hi Monica,
I’m been reading up on mattresses because I need a new one. Mine is old and getting softer every day. I always thought I like the “plush” or softer mattresses best; however, now I want a firm mattress. I too, think it would make turning over much easier.
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Hi Monica,
Your question is a very good one! The answer can be different depending on how your ALS is impacting your ability to move.
My husband lived with ALS for 5 years, and over time his best bed options kept changing. We had to modify his bed situation frequently. An adjustable base can be very helpful in getting in an out of bed or keeping your head elevated to make breathing at night easier. If you are able to rollover and shift in bed, a firm mattress it will take less effort for you to move in bed. But if a PALS cannot roll over at all, then some sort of soft mattress topper can help make bed less uncomfortable.
(We ended up getting a sleep number split king bed with an adjustable base, and that worked for him for quite a while)
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Hello Monica.
Back in late January, we purchased adjustable split King beds. It has been beneficial with less back pain, better breathing, and somewhat helpful in getting in and out of bed. STAY AWAY from foam. Sinking in the mattress means staying stuck. We had a Purple mattress for about six years. It weighed a ton and I could no longer help out my wife. We got a firm plush mattress and sorry I don’t recall what brand and model it is but it did make turning in bed a lot easier.
Sealy EASE 4.0 Adjustable Foundation- California King – Macy’s (macys.com)
I have two bedrails with my adjustable bed.
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Hi,
I have a Sleep Number bed with adjustable bed. It’s the best bed, because you can make it softer or firm. The base can adjust to raise the head or feet.
Phil
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I use 2 trapeze just overhead to help me turn in bed.
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We also have a split mattress king… each mattress can be adjusted up/down for sitting upright or sleeping slightly elevated. Although I’ve never used my adjustments for the 10 yrs. we’ve had this. I’m a flat-on-my-stomach sleeper so elevation is uncomfortable. But……….. I have found several secrets to getting a better night’s sleep, and wrote about them here:
https://alsnewstoday.com/columns/how-sleep-better-night-with-als-practice-how-roll/
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