Sleep Choice

    Pressure Care Solutions

    Match the right redistribution surface to the client's skin integrity, mobility and continence profile.

    What is pressure care, and why does bed choice matter?

    Pressure care sleep equipment reduces the risk of pressure injuries by redistributing body weight across the sleep surface. In Australia this ranges from high-resilience foam mattresses for moderate-risk clients through to powered alternating air systems for clients with existing Stage 1 or 2 pressure injuries. Sleep Choice trials the recommended surface in the client's own bedroom for 7 nights so the clinical decision can be validated before any funding is committed.

    The clinical picture

    Pressure injuries develop when localised skin and soft tissue is compressed for long enough to restrict blood flow. The clients most at risk are older adults with reduced mobility, people managing complex neurological conditions, palliative clients, and anyone with an existing wound. The right sleep surface is a core part of preventing progression from a Stage 1 redness through to a full-thickness wound.

    For families

    A standard retail mattress is designed for comfort in an adult who moves through the night. When someone can no longer reposition themselves independently, that same mattress becomes the cause of skin breakdown, not the solution. A pressure care surface spreads weight so no single point (heels, sacrum, hips) stays under load long enough to cause damage.

    For clinicians and OTs

    Selection follows the client's Braden or Waterlow score, existing skin integrity, continence status and repositioning capacity. Moderate risk is typically managed with a high-resilience visco or castellated foam surface. Medium risk warrants a hybrid foam-air or self-adjusting surface. High risk, including Stage 1 to 2 PI, requires a powered alternating pressure system with cell cycling appropriate to the client's weight. All surfaces we supply comply with AS/NZS 3744.

    What we look for when matching pressure care

    These are the clinical signals our team weighs during the pre-trial planning call, before any equipment leaves the warehouse.

    Braden or Waterlow score

    Documented risk score directs whether a static, hybrid or dynamic surface is clinically appropriate.

    Existing skin integrity

    Any Stage 1 or Stage 2 pressure injury on assessment moves the client immediately to a powered alternating system.

    Independent repositioning ability

    Clients who cannot self-reposition every 2 hours need a surface that offloads pressure without carer intervention.

    Client weight and body distribution

    Cell cycling and internal cell pressure on alternating systems is calibrated to the client's weight, not a fixed default.

    Continence and moisture load

    A waterproof vapour-permeable cover is standard on every pressure care surface we supply for incontinent clients.

    Bed frame compatibility

    The surface must be paired with a frame that will not compromise offloading, particularly on Hi-Lo profiling beds.

    Build a matched kit for this client

    Select severity level

    Moderate Risk

    Mild pain, mild mobility, early intervention

    Medium Risk

    Stage 1 PI, moderate clinical needs

    High Risk

    Stage 1-2 PI, high falls risk, bariatric needs

    How the 7-night trial works for pressure care

    A showroom cannot replicate a client's bedroom at 3am. Every trial below is delivered, set up and demonstrated in the client's own home by our team, then reviewed on day 7.

    1. 01

      Before delivery, we complete a pre-trial planning call with the referrer or family to confirm Braden or Waterlow score, wound status, weight and existing bed frame. This drives the specific surface chosen for trial, so what arrives in the bedroom is already clinically indicated.

    2. 02

      On delivery day, our team installs the mattress on the existing or supplied frame, sets pump parameters for powered systems, and demonstrates the daily care and cleaning routine to the client and any regular carer. Nothing is left in a box.

    3. 03

      For the next 7 nights the surface is used in the client's own bedroom under real conditions: their own carer routine, room temperature, continence pads and repositioning schedule. Showroom demonstrations do not reveal skin outcomes at 3am.

    4. 04

      On day 7 we review with the family, carer or OT. If the surface is not clinically appropriate we collect it at no cost, no invoice is issued, and we reconfigure. If it is right, the trial report is finalised for funding submission.

    Trust and outcomes for pressure care

    12+
    Years serving Victorian families
    2,400+
    7-night trials completed at home
    180+
    OT and allied-health referrers
    Case study — Stage 1 sacral risk, home care
    Presenting
    Client in their late 70s, mostly bed-bound after a stroke, developing early Stage 1 redness over the sacrum. Existing foam mattress on a domestic bed, repositioning every 4 hours by a single carer.
    Trial setup
    Trialled an electric Hi-Lo bed with an alternating air overlay for 7 nights in the client's own bedroom, with the carer trained on cycle settings on delivery.
    Day-7 outcome
    On day 7 the sacral redness had resolved and the carer reported the client was sleeping through without the 2am reposition. The OT report was used to support the AT quote.
    Funding
    Submitted under NDIS Assistive Technology, Level 3 complexity.

    Anonymised composite based on typical Sleep Choice trial outcomes. No individual client is identified.

    “The alternating air surface we trialled at home changed my client's Braden score within the week. Being able to justify it with a real 7-night observation, not a showroom sit-test, was what got the AT quote approved.”

    Community OT, Northern Metro Melbourne

    Funding pathways for pressure care

    Sleep Choice provides the trial report, product specification pack and OT-ready clinical notes required for each scheme. See our full funding options guide for eligibility and step-by-step process.

    NDIS

    Pressure care mattresses are recognised assistive technology under NDIS Capital Supports. We provide the AT assessment inputs, product specification pack and 7-night trial report your OT needs for the quote.

    See NDIS pathway
    HCP

    Home Care Package funds can be used for pressure care surfaces when clinically justified by an OT. We supply the itemised quote and clinical rationale that most package managers require.

    See HCP pathway
    SAH

    Pressure care mattresses are eligible under the new Support at Home AT-HM stream. We can prepare the AT-HM justification and product documentation for the client's provider.

    See SAH pathway
    DVA

    DVA Gold and White Card holders with clinical eligibility can access pressure care mattresses through the RAP program. We work with the prescribing OT to complete the referral documentation.

    Related clinical resources

    Mobility and transfer

    Pair pressure care with a Hi-Lo bed for clients who need safe egress or carer-assisted transfers.

    Read more

    Pain and chronic conditions

    Palliative and posture-critical clients often need a pressure care surface combined with adjustable positioning.

    Read more

    How our 7-night trial works

    Full process, delivery timelines and what to expect on day 1 and day 7.

    Read more

    Pressure Care frequently asked questions

    A pressure care mattress is a therapeutic sleep surface designed to redistribute a person's body weight to reduce the risk of pressure injuries (bed sores). Options range from high-density foam surfaces for lower-risk clients through to dynamic alternating air systems for high-risk or existing wound management.

    Ready to trial the right setup for your client?

    We deliver, install and demonstrate the bed and mattress in the client's own bedroom for 7 nights. If it is not right, we collect it at no cost and no invoice is issued.

    Book a 7-night trialTalk to our team