It may seem like the list of bed accessories is endless. First, you need to buy a new mattress and a bed frame. Then, you’ll need a mattress topper or mattress pad, a fitted sheet, a comforter, pillows, and possibly a matching blanket. After all of that, is a mattress protector really necessary?
The answer is absolutely yes. A mattress protector is always a good idea, but it becomes even more important as you age.
Why Should You Use a Mattress Protector?
A high-quality mattress isn’t cheap, and you can think of a mattress cover as insurance for that investment, providing protection in the event that something goes wrong. These removable mattress encasements can cover the entire mattress, adding an extra layer of protection against buildup and first.
Mattress protectors can also shield the mattress from many types of contaminants, including:
- Dust mites
- Dead skin cells
- Spills
- Mold and mildew
- Pet dander and fur
- Sweat
That last one is essential. In fact, many people experience night sweats.
These can increase with age-related hormone changes, such as hot flashes during menopause. However, the benefits of having a mattress protector extend beyond just providing a barrier between your body and your bed.
A quality mattress protector can also help with:
- Improving allergies by reducing allergens
- Bed bug protection
- Temperature control
- Cushioning
What Should You Look For in a Mattress Protector?
Just like any other piece of bedding, not all mattress protectors are created equal. There are a few aspects you should pay attention to while shopping to ensure you find the best mattress protector for your bed.
Number one, your mattress protector should be water-resistant. Look for a waterproof barrier on one side of the material and a zipper enclosure so that liquid can’t get in. Spills happen, and even if you’re meticulous about never eating or drinking in bed, it’s still important to use a waterproof mattress protector to prolong the life of your mattress.
You should also look for a mattress protector that’s hypoallergenic, meaning it isn’t made out of any materials likely to trigger an allergic reaction. In addition, look for zipper closures to block out allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and bed bugs.
You may also want to keep an eye out for a cooling mattress protector, which often uses moisture-wicking technology to keep the top of your mattress and your bed sheets cool while you sleep. Look for a protector that’s machine washable as well — there’s no quicker way to accumulate bacteria and allergens than by improperly hand-washing or air-drying a cover.
You should also pay attention to the breathability and noisiness of the material. Many cheap mattress protectors are made out of polyurethane and vinyl, which are highly water-resistant, but also tend to be less breathable.
Finally, make sure your mattress protector will fit your bed. You don’t want to find the perfect mattress protector only to realize it doesn’t come in a twin XL or California king. Instead, organize your top picks based on availability, then go from there.
What About Built-In Mattress Covers?
Some mattresses come with built-in covers. For instance, both our Ascent and Soft Touch Memory Foam Mattresses offer either a bamboo quilted cover or a waterproof stretch fabric cover that functions like a mattress protector.
When coupled with our mattresses as a system, these covers offer pressure distribution and shear reduction. They’re also soft and breathable to help dissipate heat and moisture and minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, or bedsores.
The best part? You don’t need to worry about squeezing your mattress into a separate cover. Our mattresses come with these vinyl covers already installed at no additional cost, and they’re easy to clean and maintain.
Who Needs a Mattress Protector?
Anyone with a mattress they hope to use for several years should invest in mattress protection. Not only can they help keep you comfortable while sleeping, but they also can improve the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it from contaminants.
However, mattress protectors can be particularly beneficial for aging sleepers. As you get older, you may find that your bed is the place you feel most comfortable, especially if you invest in an adjustable bed. You might spend more time there, and you may even eat and drink in bed more frequently.
When mattress shopping, pay attention to these design elements and consider buying a mattress with a waterproof cover option to increase the lifespan of your bed.
It’s more important than ever that your bed serves your needs as you age, and a high-quality mattress protector can both improve the longevity of your mattress and improve your sleep quality.
How Else Can You Support Sleep?
Sleep can naturally become more elusive and uncomfortable with age, and you may need to take steps to ensure your bed remains comfortable and useful to you in the coming years. Buying a high-quality mattress protector is just one of those steps. Another way you can make sure your bed evolves with your changing needs is to buy an adjustable bed.
You might think of home hospital beds and picture bedridden patients recovering from major surgery, but the reality is that having an electric bed is simply one of many steps that can allow you to maintain your independence and age comfortably in your own home.
These beds can adjust from an upright seated position all the way down to a flat horizontal position. They can also provide more specialized sleeping positions, such as the cardiac chair or Trendelenburg position.
Additionally, many home hospital beds are thoughtfully designed to hide all of their electrical elements. They look like any other bed and blend right in with your room, even while offering features like massage capability, hi-low adjustability, and wireless hand control.
A Discreet Home Hospital Bed
At Transfer Master, our goal is to help you age with grace in the comfort of your home for as long as possible. An electric hospital bed can help, but not all home hospital beds are up to the task.
For the best home hospital bed experience, you should look for a bed that offers a wide range of adjustability, thoughtful design features to maximize your comfort, and a reasonable size range.
One bed that offers all of these features at a reasonable price is the Supernal Hi-Low. This full-featured bed can recline from a seated to a fully horizontal position and is also adjustable from head to toe.
The hospital components of this bed are discreet — it might function like a hospital bed, but it certainly doesn’t look like one. Touches like massage settings, a backlit wireless hand control, and low height for easy self-transfer are designed to help you stay comfortable as you age.
We also make the Supernal 5, which features the comfort and utility of the Supernal Hi-Low with added functionality. This bed can recline into the Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, and cardiac chair positions, which can be beneficial for certain health conditions such as acid reflux, sleep apnea, and poor circulation.
The elegant Supernal 5 has been designed to blend easily into your bedroom decor, so there’s no need to give up your well-curated home for the sake of having a comfortable bed. That intersection of comfort, style, and utility is what aging with grace is all about — and that’s our mission here at Transfer Master.
The Sleep Quality You Deserve
You may find your quality of sleep dropping as you age, but there are steps you can take to change that. Key investments, such as a high-quality mattress protector and home hospital bed, can dramatically improve both your sleep quality and your level of independence as you age.
There’s no reason to resign yourself to sleeping on the recliner every night when a home hospital bed is an option. With the right tools, you can once again get the quality shuteye that you deserve.
Sources:
Associations Between Night Sweats and Other Sleep Disturbances: An OKPRN Study | PMC
Night Sweats: Menopause, Other Causes & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
Bedroom Allergens: Does Hypoallergenic Bedding Work? | Cleveland Clinic
