You want your house to be the best place for you to heal. And if you have incontinence due to illness, disability or old age, you might find your bedroom and bed very stressful. So, we want to give you some ideas about how you can make your bedroom into a comfortable and clean space. We’re going to talk about bedding that makes your healthcare bed safe from urine leakage and damage while also promoting skin care, preventing infections and improving your quality of life.
As a carer for someone else or as a person needing the assistance yourself, you’ll realise using the right solutions will be helpful in making your daily care much simpler and protecting your medical bed and extending its useful life.
Why do I need incontinence-friendly bedding?
Incontinence affects millions and millions of people (as of November 2023). Moisture can enter the mattress through the top layer of the mattress and cause bacteria, mould and odour to grow. These three things can lead to excessive moisture and other unhealthy ingredients in the mattress. As a result, not only does the longevity of the medical mattress shorten, but also skin irritation and pressure injury potential are significantly higher.
Specialised bedding was designed to protect the medical mattress. Specialised bedding is designed to keep patients safe; however, it also gives carers peace of mind.
What are the risks of not protecting my mattress?
Ordinary bedding supplies are made from ordinary materials. They aren’t constructed to withstand continuous contact with moisture.
Prolonged exposure to this type of condition can produce the following:
- Permanently damaged mattress
- Continual bacterial Growth and mold development
- Continuous odor production
- Increased laundry
- Increased replacement costs
- Increased potential for Skin breakdown
It makes a lot of sense to invest in the right type of bedding supplies for your waterproof/breathable bed to protect your new healthcare bed or therapeutic mattress.
Components of incontinence-friendly bedding supplies
A complete bed set isn’t simply a single waterproof sheet placed on the bed. Each layer has its own specific function.
1. Waterproof Mattress protector
A waterproof mattress protector is your best option for protection. It is waterproof but still allows air to pass through so that it doesn’t trap body heat.
When selecting a protector, look for the following characteristics:
- Waterproof
- Quiet/non-crinkling materials
- Breathable fabric
- Can be Machine washed
- Secure/fitted design
2. Absorbent Bed Pads
The reusable or disposable bed pads absorb any liquid before it reaches the mattress protector, providing you with added protection.
Benefits of bed pads include:
- Quick moisture absorption
- Easy replacement
- Reduces laundry
- Provides Protection during nighttime accidents
- Increases convenience for caregiver
3. Moisture-wicking sheets
Moisture-wicking fabrics are different from traditional cotton sheets. They pull moisture away from the skin, keeping patients dry throughout the night.
Moisture-wicking sheets assist with:
- Reducing Skin irritation
- Improving sleeping comfort
- Keeping Skin temperature stable
- Preventing excessive dampness
- Protecting Skin health
Skin problems are the biggest concern for many individuals with minimal mobility. Continuous exposure to moisture can soften Skin and make it more fragile.
Some of the most common skin problems associated with prolonged moisture exposure include the following:
- Redness
- Rashes
- Pressure ulcers
- Fungal infections
- Skin tears
- Bacterial infections
Using breathable and absorbent bedding dramatically decreases the amount of time that skin remains wet; therefore, carers are generally able to provide better conditions for maintaining skin surface health in their patients.
Additional tips to avoid Skin breakdown
While having the correct bedding is a vital component in creating an effective care plan, there are additional steps that carers can take to reduce the likelihood of skin breakdown.
Some of those additional steps include:
- Changing wet bedding immediately.
- Cleaning and drying the skin thoroughly after urinating or defecating.
- Using mild, fragrance-free cleaners.
- Using a moisture barrier cream when directed by a physician.
- Rotating the patient regularly.
- Checking the Skin for signs of irritation each time you perform a dressing Change—ideally every day.
Combining healthy habits along with high-quality bedding will create a safer healing environment for the patient.
Choosing bedding supplies for hospital beds
Hospital beds utilise adjustable frames and therefore require custom-fit bedding. Traditional bedding will either bunch or slide around on these types of beds as you attempt to make the bed, causing discomfort and putting increased pressure on areas of the body. If you’re currently renting a hospital bed, then consider getting quality waterproof protectors and fitted bedding for your rented hospital bed to ensure preservation of the mattress and optimal comfort during your recovery period.
Options to choose from when selecting the right bedding supplies for your rented hospital bed price options:
- Deeper fitted pockets
- Flexible corners
- Compatibility with adjustable-bed frames
- Sturdy stitching
- Ease of maintenance
- Soft breathable materials
The right fit for your bedding will enable you to achieve comfort and functionality while simultaneously enabling your adjustable frame to move smoothly.
Reusable versus disposable bedding supplies
Carers typically use both reusable and disposable supplies depending upon their specific care needs.
Reusable bedding supplies:
Reusable supplies are ideal for extended periods of care:
- Conserve resources/waste less
- Cost-effective over time
- Superior comfort
- Repeated washing capability
Disposable bedding supplies:
Disposable items are better suited for:
- Temporary recovery periods
- Travel/transportation needs
- Emergency situations
- Infection prevention control
- More frequent changes
Many carers prefer to combine both reusable and disposable supplies on an as-needed basis.
Advantages to caregivers
Incontinence-friendly bedsheets are not only beneficial to patients but also make caregiving much simpler.
Some of the benefits include the following:
- Faster bed changing times
- Less cleaning required on mattresses
- Fewer odor issues require less attention from caregivers
- Less risk of developing an infection
- Patient comfort is improved
- daily hygiene management becomes easier for caregivers
The quicker you can eliminate waste and messes caused by incontinence, the more time you’ll have available to attend to your patient’s treatments/recovery plans.
Savings over the life span of your medical equipment
At first glance, investing in special sleeping arrangements seems like a financial burden. However, they frequently prove themselves to be financially rewarding investments over time. Using protective bedding is a shrewd economic decision when comparing the overall cost of a rented hospital bed against partial costs associated with replacing medical mattresses or managing preventable skin damage on an outpatient basis.
Protective bedding saves you from:
- Replacing expensive mattresses more frequently than necessary
- Performing deep cleaning tasks more often than necessary
- Treating complications associated with Skin damage that develop due to poor hygiene practices
- Increasing frequency of laundry services needed
- Repairing unnecessarily damaged equipment