Collection: Therapeutic Mattresses

How to choose a pressure-relief mattress

The right mattress depends on three things: how much pressure-injury risk the user has, how many hours they spend in bed, and how active their wound care is. Here’s a plain-language guide to which Care Made mattress fits each scenario, plus the questions a clinician would ask.

Three tiers, three jobs

Foam (passive pressure redistribution)

Best for: low-to-moderate risk, mostly mobile users, and comfort upgrades on standard hospital beds. Our pick: Multi-Ply 6500 Dynamic Elite.

Alternating pressure + low air loss

Best for: moderate-to-high risk, reduced mobility, and active stage 1 to 3 pressure-injury management. Our pick: Med-Aire Plus 8" with 10" Defined Perimeter.

True low air loss + alternating pressure + pulsation (Tri-Therapy)

Best for: high to very high risk, extended bed rest, advanced wound care, or where a clinician has specifically recommended pulsation. Our pick: Harmony True Low Air Loss Tri-Therapy.

The questions to ask first

• How many hours per day in bed? Under 12 hours often calls for foam; 16+ hours usually needs active therapy.
• Can the user reposition independently? If yes, foam is often enough. If no, lean toward alternating pressure or higher.
• Is there an existing wound or healing scar? Active wound care usually calls for low air loss to manage moisture against the skin.
• Is fall or entrapment at the edges a concern? Both Med-Aire Plus and Harmony have firm static perimeters that help reduce edge risk.
• How long do power outages last? Drive’s air systems hold pressure for up to 24 hours; for very long outages keep a foam backup or transfer plan.

What "low air loss" actually means

Low air loss is continuous airflow through laser-cut perforations in the mattress cells. That airflow draws moisture away from the skin, which is one of the strongest factors in pressure-injury prevention. Not all systems labelled "low air loss" run continuously. Drive’s Harmony Tri-Therapy is true high-flow, meaning the airflow is constant rather than only during alternating cycles.

What "alternating pressure" actually means

Alternating pressure is when air cells inflate and deflate on a programmed cycle, shifting pressure points across the body so no single area takes load for too long. Both Med-Aire Plus and Harmony do this. The cycle times on Med-Aire Plus are adjustable (10, 15, 20, 25 minutes) so you can match it to the user’s tolerance.

About Care Made

Care Made is a Canadian family-owned medical equipment store. We ship across Canada, our prices include shipping, and our team is available by phone if you’d like a recommendation before ordering. We don’t push the most expensive option — for most home-care users a foam or mid-tier system is the right call.

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