Written by Megan Smith, PT
Caring for bedridden seniors can be challenging, especially at home, where they are more susceptible to health risks from prolonged lying or sitting. Utilizing patient positioning pillows can significantly enhance their health and comfort.
 | 1) Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge View Product |
Because patient positioning pillows come in a wide assortment of styles and functionality, it is more important to consider where the support is needed to be able to determine the best pillow to meet the unique needs of seniors or bedridden patients.
Select a knee pillow to provide support between the knees while lying on your side, or place it under your knees for added comfort when lying on your back.
For stiff and achy neck pain, try a positioning pillow that holds your head in a neutral position with the neck straight. Bolstering pillows placed at each side of the head can help keep your neck in the correct position.
Select a positioning pillow to support a painful or injured shoulder/rotator cuff when lying on the back to relieve pressure and pain. Tucking a positioning pillow underneath the painful shoulder when lying on that side can also stop the arm from moving forward.
The best pillow placement for hip pain is underneath the knees when lying on the back or on the uninjured side with a pillow between the knees. Knee positioning pillows are best for this purpose, while sacral/pelvic support pillows are also a good option.
The best positional pillow support following knee replacement surgery is one that supports the legs lengthwise from ankle to hip, ensuring the legs stay straight for proper healing and recovery.
When it’s not due to replacement surgery, knee pain is best addressed with a knee pillow between the knees for side-lying and underneath the knees for back-lying.
People with obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions should choose a bed wedge cushion to elevate their head and torso when lying back or sideways.
Because people with reflux issues should sleep on their left side with their torso elevated, wedge-style positioning pillows with an incline of at least 30 degrees are the best option for relieving heartburn.
Experts recommend elevating the feet to the same level as the heart for swelling (edema), vein problems, and other circulatory disorders. Choose wedges or other positioning pillows specifically designed to elevate the legs and feet. Sleeping on the left side is also recommended to improve poor circulation.
Hunching of the back, common with aging, osteoporosis, fractures, and disc degeneration, can be better supported with a positional pillow placed underneath the spine curve when lying on the side.
Prevent pressure injuries and wounds by using positioning pillows to off-load body weight in specific areas of the body more prone to pressure ulcer development. Choose lower leg pillows that float the heel, allowing the foot to rest in space to prevent heel and ankle pressure injuries.
When a patient is mostly or completely immobile and unable to move in bed, it’s important to choose positioning pillow systems that help you turn and reposition the patient. Full-body bolsters on each side can assist with positioning and ensure the patient does not fall out of bed.
The most secure method for everyone involved is to have one caregiver on each side of the patient to prop up an elderly person safely in bed. The goal is to pull the patient toward the head of the bed, not lift them. However, it is important to note that this should never be done by grabbing the patient under their arms and pulling, as this can cause shoulder injuries.
Gently roll the patient to one side of the bed, placing a half rolled-up slide sheet or draw sheet (a bed sheet folded in half) against the patient’s back. Roll the patient onto the sheet, spreading it out flat beneath the patient, ensuring their head, shoulders, and hips are on it. Both caregivers then grab the sheet on each side at the upper back and hips of the patient, putting one foot forward and their weight on their back leg.
Using a specified count, both caregivers move the patient in tandem, shifting weight to their front leg as they pull the sheet toward the head of the bed. If the patient can, they can help this process by bringing their chin to meet their chest and bending their knees, with the heels of their feet remaining on the bed to push with as the caregivers pull up.
The best sleeping positions for seniors are on the back or side, ensuring the body is in a neutral position, with no stretched, squeezed, or awkwardly placed body parts that can cause pain or discomfort. Using a positional pillow under the knees when lying on the back or between the knees when lying on the side mitigates pain and pressure from the hips and lower back. Using a wedge or positional pillow underneath the head and torso can help seniors living with acid reflux or sleep apnea, along with lying on the left side.
Also known as an orthopedic pillow, a medical pillow is designed to provide specific positioning support while lying in bed or sitting on a sofa, chair, or recliner. Medical pillows conform to orthopedic guidelines to ensure the proper support of various body areas. They are also constructed with specialized materials to retain their shape, relieve pressure, and optimize user comfort. They’re often used therapeutically for various medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, circulatory problems, acid reflux, rotator cuff injuries, lower back pain, insomnia, and much more.
There are many different pillow supports for bedridden patients. Some designs offer full-body positioning support, while others are smaller and intended to support a specific body area. For bedridden patients who are also partly or totally immobile, their carers must provide turning and repositioning assistance to optimize patient health and comfort. Also known as medical pillows, orthopedic pillows, treatment pillows, and patient positioning pillows, a pillow for bedridden patients comes in various sizes and styles to meet specific user needs.
The main difference is that a wedge pillow raises the top half of the body while reclining on your back, while a patient positioning pillow can be configured in a multitude of formats to provide positioning support for all parts of the body. From full systems that provide full-body bolstering and assistance for turning to knee pillows and heel-lifting suspension, patient positioning pillows come in a wide array of design options to suit every part of the body.
Patient positioning pillows help prevent pressure ulcers by reducing the pressure on various parts of the body when lying in bed or sitting in a chair for extended periods. They also help keep circulation flowing and reduce pain and irritation. Positional pillows come in many different formats for the areas of the body more prone to pressure ulcer development. These areas include the heels, ankles, knees, hips, spine, tailbone area, elbows, shoulders/shoulder blades, back of the head, and ears.
 | Skil-Care In-Bed Resident Positioning System View Product |
Enabling single-caregiver capability, the Skil-Care In-Bed Resident Positioning System takes the 5th position on our list for its unparalleled whole-body support to turn and reposition bedridden patients. This 3-part patient positioning system consists of 2 long bolster wedges and 1 TLC pad with handles, enabling one caregiver to rotate and position heavier residents safely and independently. Both the wedges and the pad provide moisture and urine-proof barriers, making this system a great choice for patients living with incontinence. The wedges are easy to wipe down and the pad is machine-washable, ensuring long-lasting performance and simplified sanitation and maintenance.
Facilitating lateral positioning and roll control, this Skil-Care positioning system also provides upper body positioning, along with arm, leg, and knee support. Turning and repositioning immobile patients helps to prevent pressure injuries, alleviating pain and compression. The 2 wedges buttress side-lying patients to ensure proper support, while the Velcro strips on the bottom of the wedges keep them from sliding for stay-in-place dependability.
 | HeelZup Cloud Heel Suspension Cushion View Product |
We gave the 4th slot in our review to the HeelZup Cloud Heel Suspension Cushion for its unique, beneficial design and unrivaled heel pressure relief. Well-suited for people prone to pressure ulcers and/or swelling in the feet and ankles, the ImmersaFlex Contouring system supports the leg from thigh to ankle, allowing the foot to float free. Innovatively constructed to eliminate the ‘ledge’ effect common with other heel cushions, this cloud-like suspension helps to prevent the negative effects of hammocking, providing floating-heel support when lying on your back or your side.
Much cooler and more comfortable than boot support devices, this heel suspension cushion comes in both disposable and reusable options to suit both institutional and home care needs. Four different sizes ensure a perfect fit for adults up to 6 feet tall. Antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and moisture-proof, the HeelZup Cloud is protected with a removable, machine-washable cover that’s super soft, helping to reduce shear and friction against the skin.
 | Elevating Foam Leg Rest Wedge View Product |
Coming in at number 3 on our top 5 list is the Elevating Foam Leg Rest Wedge by McKesson. This is an essential tool for those seeking relief from various leg and back issues. Designed to elevate the legs, this wedge helps improve circulation, by assisting in the relief of varicose veins and phlebitis. Made from durable polyurethane foam, it maintains its shape better than traditional pillows or cotton wedges, providing consistent support. The polycotton cover reduces friction on the legs, enhancing comfort during use. Additionally, the wedge helps properly align the spine, which can relieve lower back pain and reduce ankle swelling by using gravity to loosen trapped fluids.
 | 30 Degree Bed System with Slider Sheet and Two 16 inch Wedges View Product |
The 30-Degree Bed System with Slider Sheet and Two 16 Inch Wedges by Skil-Care is an excellent choice for providing coccyx pressure relief and making patient transfers safer and more efficient. This system is designed to securely position patients on their sides, effectively offloading pressure from the coccyx and sacral areas. It includes a slider sheet and two wedges, both of which help in the easy and safe repositioning of patients. The system also features a waterproof barrier for fluid control and a non-skid surface to ensure the wedges stay in place. The multiple handles on the slider sheet make transfers smoother and safer for caregivers. Additionally, the bed system wipes clean for anti-bacterial control, enhancing hygiene.
 | Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge View Product |
The Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge by Countour Products is our top choice, standing out as the premier option for positioning pillows. This innovative inflatable wedge slides under your existing mattress and inflates at the touch of a button, allowing you to customize your recline angle up to 26 degrees. With a 1000-pound weight capacity, it can comfortably accommodate two people in the bed, providing versatile support for a variety of needs, from nursing mothers to post-operative recovery. When not in use, it lies flat beneath your mattress, offering convenient and discrete storage. The simple hand remote features lighted buttons, ensuring easy adjustments even in the dark.
Patient positioning pillows ensure that elderly and bedridden patients in your care remain as comfortable as possible, providing specialized support for those who spend extended periods in bed. While regular pillows can be used, they often fall short of offering the precise support needed for effective and comfortable positioning. Among the options reviewed, the Mattress Genie Adjustable Bed Wedge stands out as our top choice. Its customizable recline angle, high weight capacity, and discrete storage make it an excellent solution for enhancing comfort and support for a variety of needs.
Thanks for reading! For more caregiving tips, visit us at Caregiver University!
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
