Hi lifereinspired,
Congratulations to your MiL and it is great to see you looking for a new bed to make her comfortable. You may have seen a few of my posts as I have undertaken a similar situation with my MiL who is 86, knee and hip replacement and spinal cancer diagnosis recently.
My approach was a little different as she had purchased (without my consultation) a BeautyRest mattress. It developed a NY style pothole depression in less than a year and a half. First I rotated the mattress to alleviate the pain in her lower back and hips, then I rotated the mattress out of the house.
I purchased her a queen @DLX premier hybrid. I ordered it with one side firm, and the other medium, since there was no way to try it first. She is about 5’3 175. Turns out she loves the firm side. It is not firm like a brick, it is extremely supportive and has a nice zippered cover/panel that is cushion enough to not add any pressure to her hips as a side sleeper. I also purchased her a yawnder4 adjustable base. 3 programmable remote buttons, a 1 button back to flat and a host of other features. When she presses the remote button to lift her back, it is a breeze for her to get out of bed. Then, one press of the button and it automatically goes to flat.
If you feel latex may be the better option, and I will assume you have let her lie on yours and perhaps in this process you were able to determine that preference of the “softer” feel. There are a host of ways to go about this.
Your plan for creating a latex mattress for your mother-in-law sounds like a fairly solid appoach.
1. Your Plan
The approach of using three layers of latex is solid, should provide a good balance of support and comfort. Here are a few points to consider:
- Layer Configuration: Your choice of a 3” Firm Dunlop base, a 3” Medium Dunlop middle layer, and a softer top layer seems appropriate. This should give a good combination of support and softness. However, be mindful that comfort can be subjective, so adjusting the firmness of the top layer might be necessary depending on her feedback. Plus, with an all latex mattress, you may have to worry about edge support and her ability to get in and out of bed. (you did not mention how able she is).
- Mattress Pad: Using a skirted mattress pad to hold the layers together is practical (I actually use something similar to keep my 3" organic wool topper from shifting), especially if you prefer a more responsive feel. Just ensure the pad is thick enough to keep the layers from shifting but not too thick to impact the latex’s performance.
2. 2” vs. 3” Top Layer
- 2” Soft Dunlop: This will offer a softer feel with less pronounced contouring. It will provide a gentle cushioning effect while still allowing the underlying layers to offer more support.
- 3” Soft Dunlop: A 3” layer will give a more substantial plush feel and enhance contouring. This can be beneficial for pressure relief, especially for someone with rheumatoid arthritis. It might make the mattress feel softer overall and provide more significant comfort.
For someone with chronic pain, a thicker soft layer (3”) might be more beneficial, but it’s good to balance this with the support provided by the layers below.
3. Soft Dunlop vs. Talalay
- Soft Dunlop: Dunlop latex tends to be denser and has a firmer overall feel compared to Talalay. Even the soft variants can feel somewhat supportive and resilient. It’s durable and can provide good support with some cushioning.
- Soft Talalay: Talalay latex is generally softer, more breathable, and has a more plush, buoyant feel. It may offer better pressure relief and a more luxurious feel compared to Dunlop.
For someone with rheumatoid arthritis, the pressure relief provided by Talalay might be more beneficial, but if you are on a budget and need to stick with Dunlop, it can still provide excellent comfort and support.
4. Using a Mattress Pad to Hold Layers Together
Using a mattress pad to keep the layers together is a common solution and should work well if it is appropriately fitted. Make sure the pad has a good grip and fits the dimensions of the mattress to avoid shifting.
5. Latex on Metal Slats
Latex is durable but can be sensitive to sharp edges or uneven support:
- Protective Layer: Consider adding a thin protective cover or fabric layer between the metal slats and the latex mattress. This can prevent potential damage and ensure better distribution of weight.
- Slat Spacing: Ensure that the slats are close enough (ideally no more than 3 inches apart) to provide adequate support. If the spacing is too wide, you might need to add a solid surface or a supportive board beneath the mattress. A bunkie board or coil layer may be sufficient.
The plan to use a latex mattress with a 3-layer configuration seems well-suited for comfort and support, particularly for someone with arthritis. Choosing the right thickness for the top layer and considering the differences between Dunlop and Talalay latex will be crucial for optimizing comfort. Protecting the latex from the metal slats ( it may be an additional expense, but exploring an good quality adjustable base will add support to your setup and may prove more comfortable for mom while sleeping and getting out of bed). I am not in love with the metal slat idea, although there are several options for a metal frame with wooden slats, less than 3" spacing. Insofar as a cover, I would cover the entire project with a mattress cover from @Arizona_Premium or @Latex_Mattress_Fact1. Then you can place the mattress pad on top of this for added protection to the mattress.
The nice thing about this is you can swap layers should mom say she is not comfortable. You could move the soft layer to the middle and the medium to the top based on her comfort preferences. If you cover the mattress with an nice mattress cover and are using a Twin XL, you are setting your self up down the road for adding another Twin XL and create a king for a spare room or guest room.
Hopefully this helps.
Maverick
