In an effort to give patients with serious illnesses some comfort, the Ponoka/Rimbey Palliative Care Council has purchased two specialized mattresses for patients who wish to stay at home.
Jenny Crossley, an occupational therapist and member of the council said the Invacare microAIR 55 mattresses provide comfort by pumping air into separate pockets. Air strength and motion can be adjusted to fit the user’s needs.
“It’s in order to let people remain at home for as long as possible,” said Crossley.
Patients suffering from a wound such as a bed sore can feel some ease in pain with the air mattress that costs $2,500 each. When people reach the stage in their health that they need this specialized mattress, its use is to help relieve pains.
It comes with a remote control unit and air compressor that can adjust air pressure, what part of the mattress the air goes or could have the air remain static.
Covers on the mattress can be washed and it is designed to fold up and be transported to a home with relative ease.
Shannon Boyce-Campbell, executive director of Ponoka Family and Community Support Services and a member of the council, said that much of the money for the mattresses was raised at FCSS’s annual general meeting.
Training is conducted by the council to provide volunteers with skills on how to help people use the mattresses and they also receive training on how to help individuals in palliative care.
She said the Palliative Care Council is looking at different ways for patients to stay and have comfort in their homes for as long as possible.
One mattress will stay in Rimbey and another will stay in Ponoka.