There are many ways to help prevent people with low mobility from developing painful ulcers and sores, and using pressure relief cushions is one of them. People who are forced to spend long periods of time sitting or lying are most at risk of developing this condition, especially if they can not change position themselves. Bony areas such as the buttocks, hips, shoulders and heels tend to most affected with the ulcers developing when the tissue is damaged by continued pressure against the bed or chair, by slipping and dragging and by friction. Ulcers can be difficult to treat, especially in the most severe cases, so prevention is important.
It is always a good idea to consult a health care professional before purchasing this equipment so that they can advise on what is the most suitable. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists, in particular, can give very valuable advice. It is particularly important to make sure that purchases will not cause dangerous situations; for example, using too high a pad in a wheelchair could mean that the patient could easily topple out. It is therefore essential to make sure that aids fit chairs correctly, and some need to be made to measure.
Pads are filled with a variety of materials such as foam, gel, air or water. Some materials, such as foam, conform to the shape and movement of the body. These are comfortable and suitable for many, but somebody very unsteady on their feet might find a product that is a bit firmer and less likely to move with them when they get up, both safer and more useful.
A pad that holds moisture is a bad idea as moisture encourages ulcers to develop. People who find themselves sweating heavily or are incontinent will particularly want to look for a product that does not get damp. It is important to be able to clean pads so they do not have to be thrown out simply because they are dirty. Waterproof items are also very useful.
Pads differ in how warm they feel against the body, so this is another point to consider. Foam products can get quite warm against the skin and may not be suitable for people who get very warm. Items made of gel are probably the coolest to touch and may be uncomfortable for patients who feel the cold easily.
Products are made to different grades for those at low, medium and high risk of sores, and in all different shapes and sizes so that they can be correctly matched to existing equipment. Particularly thin and soft items are likely to thin out too much too quickly, but regular turning can increase the life of most aids. Sloped pads are very useful for people with poor stability, such as those who may slip out of chairs.
All products should adhere to fire safety laws but smokers should take particular care that the pad they use is fire resistant. Very heavy patients may need to check that the product they are considering will take their weight and obviously, children will have different needs to adults. If the item will need to be moved around it should not be too heavy or hard to grip.
Pressure relief cushions can be a valuable aid in the prevention of ulcers, but it is important that the correct product is used. Other measures should be employed along side their use such as moving the patient in the correct manner in order to avoid dragging, not letting them get too hot or cold and dealing with incontinence issues promptly. Making sure that the patient has a good diet and enough to eat is also important.
It is always a good idea to consult a health care professional before purchasing this equipment so that they can advise on what is the most suitable. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists, in particular, can give very valuable advice. It is particularly important to make sure that purchases will not cause dangerous situations; for example, using too high a pad in a wheelchair could mean that the patient could easily topple out. It is therefore essential to make sure that aids fit chairs correctly, and some need to be made to measure.
Pads are filled with a variety of materials such as foam, gel, air or water. Some materials, such as foam, conform to the shape and movement of the body. These are comfortable and suitable for many, but somebody very unsteady on their feet might find a product that is a bit firmer and less likely to move with them when they get up, both safer and more useful.
A pad that holds moisture is a bad idea as moisture encourages ulcers to develop. People who find themselves sweating heavily or are incontinent will particularly want to look for a product that does not get damp. It is important to be able to clean pads so they do not have to be thrown out simply because they are dirty. Waterproof items are also very useful.
Pads differ in how warm they feel against the body, so this is another point to consider. Foam products can get quite warm against the skin and may not be suitable for people who get very warm. Items made of gel are probably the coolest to touch and may be uncomfortable for patients who feel the cold easily.
Products are made to different grades for those at low, medium and high risk of sores, and in all different shapes and sizes so that they can be correctly matched to existing equipment. Particularly thin and soft items are likely to thin out too much too quickly, but regular turning can increase the life of most aids. Sloped pads are very useful for people with poor stability, such as those who may slip out of chairs.
All products should adhere to fire safety laws but smokers should take particular care that the pad they use is fire resistant. Very heavy patients may need to check that the product they are considering will take their weight and obviously, children will have different needs to adults. If the item will need to be moved around it should not be too heavy or hard to grip.
Pressure relief cushions can be a valuable aid in the prevention of ulcers, but it is important that the correct product is used. Other measures should be employed along side their use such as moving the patient in the correct manner in order to avoid dragging, not letting them get too hot or cold and dealing with incontinence issues promptly. Making sure that the patient has a good diet and enough to eat is also important.
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