Mattress Overlays & Air Mattresses

Pressure care mattress overlays and air mattresses are a critical component of pressure injury prevention and management for clients across hospitals, aged care facilities, rehabilitation units, and home care settings. Safety and Mobility supplies a comprehensive range covering alternating air overlays, static overlays, foam overlays, complete (or hybrid) mattress replacement systems — addressing the full spectrum of pressure injury risk from low to high.

Selecting the right pressure care mattress or overlay is a clinical decision that depends on the individual’s pressure injury risk score, their current skin integrity status, their weight, their mobility level, and the care environment. We strongly encourage clinicians, facility managers, and carers to consult with our experienced team before purchasing — particularly for higher-risk clients or where an existing pressure injury is already present. Be in touch with us and we’ll help match the right product to your client’s needs.

Safety and Mobility has extensive experience supplying pressure care overlays and air mattresses at scale, and we regularly work with hospitals and aged care facilities to fit out entire wards. Whether you need a single overlay for a home care client or a bulk supply for a new or refurbished ward, our team can assist with product selection, quantities, and delivery logistics. Overlays and air mattresses are also practical from a storage perspective — most overlays are lightweight and compact when deflated, making them straightforward to store in clinical storage areas and quick to deploy when a new admission requires a pressure care surface. If you are planning a ward fit-out or need to discuss a facility-wide supply requirement, please contact us or call (02) 9983 9520) and we will be happy to assist.

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Hospital Mattress Overlays

Safety and Mobility offers a highly extensive range of overlays and air mattresses providing high levels of comfort, support, and clinical pressure care. Our overlays and mattresses are suitable for hospitals, nursing homes, aged care facilities, community care environments, and home care settings. We are familiar with supplying overlays and air mattress to fit out entire wards

A mattress overlay sits on top of an existing mattress and adds a layer of pressure redistributing material — foam, static air, or alternating air cells. Overlays are generally appropriate for clients at low to medium pressure injury risk and offer a more cost-effective option than a full mattress replacement. Our alternating overlays are TGA registered, with pumps rated for clients across a range of pressure injury risk scores, and are supplied with either an analogue or digital pump to suit low, medium, or high-risk clients.

Understanding the difference between overlay types helps ensure the right product is selected for each client. Static overlays redistribute pressure passively across a consistent surface, while alternating overlays use an electric pump to cyclically inflate and deflate air cells in alternating patterns — continuously shifting the pressure loading points across the body so that no single area remains under sustained pressure. Alternating systems are generally recommended for medium to high-risk clients, while static surfaces are more suitable for low to medium-risk prevention. Our team can advise on the most appropriate type for a given clinical situation and pressure injury risk score — please contact us if you are unsure before purchasing.

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Air Mattresses for Aged Care

Our air mattresses and overlays are ideal for aged care environments where pressure injury prevention and management is a continuous clinical priority. Our range includes several distinct product types to address varying levels of risk and care complexity:

Our own range of alternating air overlays — the York 4″ Single, Kent 5″ Single, and Eton 5″ King Single — are the cornerstone of our pressure care offering and are particularly well suited to both individual client supply and ward-level fit-outs. All three are TGA registered and use pump-driven cycling technology to actively manage pressure loading throughout periods of rest, working towards both prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers for clients at medium to high risk. The York and Kent are available in standard single sizes, while the Eton is available in king single for clients requiring a wider sleep surface. For clients where a full mattress replacement is clinically indicated rather than an overlay, the Otley Hybrid Pressure Mattress combines a premium multi-layer foam core with integrated air cell technology, delivering both comfort and active pressure management in a single system — available in single and king single sizes. Beyond our own range, we also stock a selection of third-party overlays to address more specialist clinical needs: our ROHO® Bed Overlay features interconnected air cells that promote blood circulation, reduce pressure across bony prominences, and minimise shear forces during transfers and repositioning, making it a strong option for clients with complex pressure care needs; our SAF Overlay is designed for medium-level pressure care clients, offering uniform pressure distribution through a static air cell system; and our Convoluted Foam Mattress Overlay provides a convoluted surface for air circulation, shock absorption, and low-level pressure redistribution, suitable for clients at lower risk.

All our mattresses and overlays are constructed with high quality materials and, where applicable, feature antimicrobial properties that protect against yeast, bacteria, and mould growth — an important consideration in healthcare and aged care environments.

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Inflatable Mattress for Bed Sores

Inflatable mattresses and air overlays used in healthcare settings are not simply comfort products — they are clinically designed to prevent and actively manage bed sores (pressure injuries), and are a critical component of overall patient care. Some products are placed on top of an existing mattress as an overlay, while others fully replace a mattress to provide a higher level of surface management.

Pressure injuries develop when sustained pressure over bony prominences — such as the sacrum, heels, hips, and shoulder blades — restricts blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. They are most commonly seen in individuals with limited mobility, including aged care residents, post-surgical patients, people with neurological conditions, and those receiving palliative care. The consequences of an untreated or poorly managed pressure injury can be severe, including deep tissue damage, infection, and significantly increased care burden.

Using an appropriate inflatable mattress or overlay redistributes body weight dynamically, reducing or eliminating the sustained pressure that leads to skin breakdown. Selecting the right product for the individual’s risk level is essential — using an underspecified product for a high-risk client, or a standard mattress where a pressure care surface is clinically indicated, can have serious consequences. If you are in any doubt about which product is appropriate, please speak with our team before purchasing.

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Pressure Ulcer Air Mattress

Pressure ulcers are a major clinical concern across the healthcare spectrum, particularly for patients who are immobile, frail, or have conditions that increase their risk — including diabetes, poor circulation, neurological impairment, and malnutrition. Pressure ulcer air mattresses are one of the primary tools used by hospitals and healthcare settings to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers developing and to manage established ulcers as part of a broader wound care plan.

Alternating pressure air mattresses are the standard of care for medium to high-risk clients. By cyclically inflating and deflating air cells in alternating patterns, these systems ensure that pressure on any given body area is relieved for a set period within each cycle — mimicking the natural pressure relief that occurs when a mobile person moves during sleep. Several of the alternating air mattress systems in our range are TGA registered medical devices, rated for use with clients across a range of pressure injury risk levels. Our team can advise on which products may be  appropriate for your client’s assessed risk level.

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Pressure Care Mattress

Pressure injury prevention and management may involve a full pressure care mattress replacement rather than an overlay — particularly for clients at high risk or those with established pressure injuries requiring active management. Pressure care replacement mattresses provide a higher level of surface management than overlays and are available in a variety of designs to best suit the clinical needs of the individual.

Safety and Mobility’s range includes hybrid pressure mattresses that combine a premium multi-layer foam core — including visco-grade pressure-sensitive memory foam — with integrated air cell technology. This combination provides both the comfort and postural support of foam with the active pressure cycling benefits of an alternating air system. Our hybrid mattresses feature antimicrobial foam construction and are available in single and king single sizes, including bariatric options for clients requiring a wider sleep surface. Some mattress designs also offer features to assist with transfers and encourage central patient positioning, reducing the risk of the patient drifting to one side during sleep.

For higher-risk clients or complex clinical situations, we strongly recommend consulting with a registered nurse, occupational therapist, or wound care specialist before selecting a pressure care mattress — and our team is always available to assist with product guidance once a clinical assessment has been completed. Call us on (02) 9983 9520 or contact us online.

NDIS Funding for Pressure Care Mattresses and Overlays

Pressure care mattresses and overlays may be eligible for NDIS funding under the Assistive Technology or Daily Activities support categories, where assessed as reasonable and necessary by a suitably qualified health professional. Safety and Mobility is a registered NDIS provider and can provide itemised quotes for NDIS participants, support coordinators, and plan managers. Contact us to discuss your client’s requirements and we’ll assist with the documentation process.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Pressure Care Mattress Overlays and Air Mattresses

Q: What is the difference between a mattress overlay and a pressure care replacement mattress? A mattress overlay is placed on top of an existing mattress to add a layer of pressure redistributing material — foam, static air, or alternating air cells. Overlays are generally appropriate for clients at low to medium pressure injury risk and are a more economical option. A pressure care replacement mattress fully replaces the existing mattress and provides a higher level of surface management, making it more suitable for clients at medium to high risk, or those who already have a pressure injury requiring active management. The right choice depends on the individual’s risk level, skin condition, weight, and care setting. Call our team on (02) 9983 9520 if you are unsure which option is appropriate before purchasing.

Q: What is the difference between a static and an alternating pressure care overlay? A static overlay maintains a consistent level of pressure redistribution without any active movement — the surface supports the body and spreads load more evenly than a standard mattress, but the contact points remain fixed. An alternating overlay uses an electric pump to cyclically inflate and deflate alternating rows of air cells, continuously shifting the pressure loading points across the body so that no single area is under sustained pressure for an extended period. Alternating systems are generally recommended for medium to high-risk clients or those with existing pressure injuries, while static systems are more appropriate for low to medium-risk prevention. Selection should be guided by a suitably qualified clinician.

Q: Are alternating air mattresses TGA registered? Several of the alternating air mattresses and overlays in the Safety and Mobility range are TGA registered medical devices, supplied with analogue or digital pumps rated for different levels of pressure injury risk. TGA registration indicates that the product meets Australian regulatory standards for safety and clinical performance. Not all products on the market carry TGA registration — if this is a requirement for your facility or funding application, please contact our team and we will confirm the registration status of specific products in our range.

Q: How do I choose the right pressure care mattress for my patient or resident? The appropriate pressure care mattress or overlay is determined by a combination of factors including the individual’s pressure injury risk score, their current skin integrity status, body weight, mobility level, positioning needs, and care environment. An appropriately qualified healthcare professional — such as a registered nurse, occupational therapist, or wound care specialist — should be involved in the assessment and product selection process, particularly for higher-risk clients or where a pressure injury is already present. Safety and Mobility’s team is experienced in discussing these clinical requirements and can assist in identifying suitable products once an assessment has been completed. Please contact us or call (02) 9983 9520 before purchasing if you have any uncertainty about the appropriate product.

Q: Can pressure care mattresses and overlays be funded through the NDIS? Yes. Pressure care mattresses and overlays may be eligible for NDIS funding under the Assistive Technology support category or the Daily Activities support category, depending on how the product is assessed and used. Funding is subject to the item being assessed as reasonable and necessary by a suitably qualified health professional, such as an occupational therapist or registered nurse. Safety and Mobility is a registered NDIS provider and can supply pressure care products to NDIS participants and provide itemised quotes for plan managers and support coordinators. Contact us to discuss your client’s needs and we’ll assist with the process.