Incredibly easy to set up. Everything comes in a single box which isn't heavy at all.
Works well.
Whatever you do, choose a mattress with "low air loss" -do not buy a mattress that ONLY offers alternating pressure!
There is good evidence from studies that "low air loss" mattresses help prevent and heal bed sores, but no good evidence for alternating pressure.
This one has both. you can disable the alternating pressure if you like)
The low air loss on this mattress is CONTINUOUS, which is a good thing!
Some other mattresses (such as several from invacare) have low air loss that is only "on demand" -you have to push a button which then only activates it for perhaps 20 minutes. I believe continuous low air loss is sure to work more effectively.
The noise is perhaps twice as loud as a big aquarium pump. I found I could eliminate much of the noise if I paid careful attention to the hose connector where it plugs into the pump, a slight gap will makes a loud hissing noise. Press it in well, or tie it if you have to, and no problem. There also are some vibrations generated that propagate through the bed frame, but aren't felt by the patient unless they lean on a rail.
If you had absolutely no other noise generating devices you still might be annoyed by it, but I'm managing to sleep fine in the same room.
What is low air loss? There are zillions of tiny holes on the mattress constantly emitting small amounts of air, which prevents and heals bed sores by keeping skin cool and dry.
In order for a low air loss mattress to effectively prevent bed sores, you need to minimize the amount of material between the patient and mattress!
That means ideally a thin cotton sheet only, or even no sheet and only underpad if there is an existing sore. I'm also using a thin disposable bed pad, and looking to buy a variety specially designed to breathe well for this purpose. Update: Am using kendall "maxiflo", specially designed for low air loss matresses -good results.
In the event of a power outage, the mattress would eventually deflate creating an uncomfortable and unsafe surface, so that's something to think about.
It'd probably be ok for a bit, but I have a foam mattress I can swap in if we get stuck with a long outage. Haven't been through it yet.
Update: I bought a yamaha 2000 backup generator converted to run on propane, enough to keep refrigerator going too.
Other recommendations for bed sore prevention: Baza Perineal Lotion after regular changes (moisture barrier). Sage "prevalon" heel protector (heel & tailbone are 2 most common bed sores)
For bed sore treatment: xenaderm ointment (prescription only). Keep pressure off, regular turns every 2 hours, cool & dry.
Low air loss is no substitute for regular turns but does really help
So far so good. Ordered this in early-August and have been very pleased with product to date. My brother (diagnosed with M/S) was recently released from hospital and was sent home with a gel pad which was absolutely miserable to lay on for an extended period or time. Sleeping was very uncomfortable and each morning he woke up with sore limbs & burning itchy buttocks. I was so nervous he would end up with a bed sore and started researching Low Air Loss Mattresses which I knew would help maintain skin integrity. Well, we're approx. 45 days into it and he's doing very well and loving his new air mattress. This particular mattress does everything it claims (so far that is). Setting go from soft to firm. Only one drawback: noise level of the pump...after placing a pillow between pump and footboard, however; pump noise was substantially reduced. Set-up was simple and I am not set-up savvy with anything. The best part was the cost. Researched several websites & Amazon was the least expensive (saving over $900 from one competitor for identical product) so that was a real bargain! (BLESS YOU, AMAZON)! For anyone looking at this mattress or similar items, give it a try. My brother's insurance did not cover this item, that's why price was so important. But again, Amazon was the absolute best price I found and he is thrilled with his new bed thus far. In other words...if he he sleeps well, my hubby & I sleep well and for the past several weeks, me & my husband have been sleeping like babies! lol So, YES, we love this mattress , too! :)
Buy Drive Medical Med Aire Low Air Loss Mattress Replacement System with Alternating Pressure, Dark Purp Now
My poor, active father is now pretty much confined to an "at home" hospital bed. Though his bottom was tender, his heels developed open sores from the mattress. I tried pillow propping his ankles, a foam mattress cover-provided by Medi-Care with pillow propping and when I was turned down for any upgrades, I decided to get something for him.
This is a very durable, reliable, and constantly working air mattress. It is priced mid-range and worth every penny!
I highly recommend this bed and this seller delivered it promptly and in mint condition.
Thanks to the seller and thanks to the manufacturer of this great mattress.
Kay
Read Best Reviews of Drive Medical Med Aire Low Air Loss Mattress Replacement System with Alternating Pressure, Dark Purp Here
My mother recently got a hospital bed for at home. The original mattress was so hard, she sheared her ankle at the bony projection while kicking around in her blankets. She still gets up and walks around, but I know her condition will continue to deteriorate until she is bed-bound, so I wanted to get a good mattress to prevent bed sores or other skin problems. What I found out was an alternating pressure air mattress is an excellent choice because, even without turning the person, the pressure in the mattress changes, which changes the body's pressure points, thus reducing the possibility of developing skin break down. I was considering a gel mattress or memory foam at first but if the person is not moved, the pressure is constant and could cause skin breakdown. I did quite a bit of research online before making this purchase, and I felt this was a great choice, at a very good price. Other places online had this identical mattress for more than a thousand dollars more than I paid here. Gotta love that!!
I was happy with this mattress, as long as I had power. We had a few storms that knocked the power out last year, one time for a week. There were a few cells that never wanted to keep air in them once the power came back on. I had to get rid of the mattress. I was very disappointed. I ended up buying a memory foam mattress that does not need power to operate.
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I was very excited about this mattress because my dad is paraplegic and he really needs good support. Well, it's arrived and it was easy to install, BUT it doesn't work. Pump is not alterating but pumping non-stop. Noise is horrible and my dad is now has to sleep with the noise untill I find something else for him to sleep on. I wouldn't reccommend this item.
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This "Dream Water Sleep and Relaxation Shot" worked well to help smoothly reset my sleep cycle. I get bouts of insomnia from medication taken for a chronic issue and it usually takes upwards of 3 or 4 nights to get everything back to the right schedule.
