After you have carefully selected the perfect home hospital bed, the next job is to choose a mattress. But because hospital bed mattresses don’t come in standard sizes, this can seem like a daunting task to accomplish. Here is some helpful information about how hospital bed mattresses are sized and how you can pick the right one for your bed.

Standard hospital bed mattress size

The best way to get the right size mattress for your home hospital bed is to match the size of the bed frame. In North America, twin size mattresses and bed frames are 39” wide by 75” long. Standard home hospital beds are different because they are only 36” wide and 80” long. They are made this way in order to accommodate tall patients and fit into semi-private rooms. As you can see, twin mattresses will not fit onto home hospital bed frames. Not to worry though – the standard hospital bed mattress size is also 36” x 80” so it is easy to order the right one for your bed.

Hospital beds with adjustable frames

Some hospital beds like the Invacare CS7 offer special extensions that make the bed frame 84” long. These beds are ideal for people who are over 6 feet tall or for shorter individuals who want extra room for extra pillows or pets. Thankfully 36” x 84” mattresses are readily available as well. Alternatively, the Med-Mizer CC803 Retractabed frame can expand to 42” wide with the touch of a button. This provides extra space for people to turn over in bed without rolling off of the mattress. 42” x 80” mattresses are less common than 36” x 80” but the dual-layer Drive Medical ShearCare 1500 is a cost-effective option. If you want additional comfort and support, the four-layer MedMattress Bari Care mattress is also available in this size.

Bariatric hospital beds

Bariatric home hospital beds feature heavy duty frames that can support higher weight capacities than standard beds. The Med-Mizer EX8000 frame has a weight capacity of 800 lbs and can extend to 42” or 48” wide. The MedMattress Bari Care and Bari Ultra Care mattresses are available in 42” x 80” and 48” x 80” sizes. Both mattresses offer four layers of multi-density foam for support but the Ultra features a cool-gel memory foam topper. This pulls heat away from the body, leaving a cooling sensation against the skin for comfortable sleep.

Additional considerations

Getting the right size mattress for your home hospital bed is about more than just comfort. It is also about keeping the user safe. Large gaps between the mattress and side rails or assist bars are particularly dangerous. Older adults who try to get out of bed without help or roll off the mattress could become trapped in that space. Gaps between the end of the mattress and the headboard or footboard present similar safety concerns. MedMattress CARE mattresses are available in many different sizes but custom sizes are also available for a minimal additional cost.

Final thoughts

Hospital beds come in many shapes and sizes to meet the needs of users and their caregivers. They don’t come in standard twin-full-queen-king sizes and neither do their mattresses. Instead, hospital bed mattresses come in specific dimensions to match the bed frame. Trying to find just the right mattress can be a challenge so the HomeCare Hospital Beds team of experts is ready to help! For more information, call us today at 877-414-0002 or email us at info@homecarehospitalbeds.com.

**The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are having a severe and sudden change in physical or mental health, please call 911, contact a local emergency facility or consult with your doctor. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider, and never disregard the advice given because of information you have received from our website.**