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.
Not all pads will meet the requirements of every user. People who find it difficult to get up out of a chair will benefit from a firmer pad that will be unlikely to slip in the chair when they try to move. Other people will prefer memory foam, which moulds to the shape of their body and feel very comfortable.
Incontinent patients in particular, will need a product that is waterproof and easily cleaned. However, these qualities are useful to most people and a pad that can be cleaned will be more pleasant t use and will probably last longer. Pads that hold moisture against the body should be avoided, as persistently damp skin is both more easily damaged and takes longer to heal.
Some products feel warmer t the touch than others depending on whether they contain foam, water, gel or air. Gel pads generally feel the coldest so somebody who feels the cold may not be comfortable sitting on one. Foam usually feels warmest and gets warm from the heat of the body quite quickly so is best avoided by those prone to overheating.
Some products are more effective than others and are frequently graded as being suitable for high, medium or low risk of ulcers. They come in all shapes and sizes, but should the size needed for a particular chair not be available, many companies offer a custom-made service. Some pads have an upward sloping side to prevent those with low stability slipping in their chairs. Thin soft items will wear out quickly but all will last longer if they are turned over frequently.
If the pad needs to moved in and out of chairs regularly, it is important to choose one that is not too heavy or difficult for the patient to move. All products should be fire-retardant but this is especially important for smokers. Special items are available for certain groups too, for example, pedriatic for disabled children and bariatric for users who may be too heavy for standard pads.
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.
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.
Not all pads will meet the requirements of every user. People who find it difficult to get up out of a chair will benefit from a firmer pad that will be unlikely to slip in the chair when they try to move. Other people will prefer memory foam, which moulds to the shape of their body and feel very comfortable.
Incontinent patients in particular, will need a product that is waterproof and easily cleaned. However, these qualities are useful to most people and a pad that can be cleaned will be more pleasant t use and will probably last longer. Pads that hold moisture against the body should be avoided, as persistently damp skin is both more easily damaged and takes longer to heal.
Some products feel warmer t the touch than others depending on whether they contain foam, water, gel or air. Gel pads generally feel the coldest so somebody who feels the cold may not be comfortable sitting on one. Foam usually feels warmest and gets warm from the heat of the body quite quickly so is best avoided by those prone to overheating.
Some products are more effective than others and are frequently graded as being suitable for high, medium or low risk of ulcers. They come in all shapes and sizes, but should the size needed for a particular chair not be available, many companies offer a custom-made service. Some pads have an upward sloping side to prevent those with low stability slipping in their chairs. Thin soft items will wear out quickly but all will last longer if they are turned over frequently.
If the pad needs to moved in and out of chairs regularly, it is important to choose one that is not too heavy or difficult for the patient to move. All products should be fire-retardant but this is especially important for smokers. Special items are available for certain groups too, for example, pedriatic for disabled children and bariatric for users who may be too heavy for standard pads.
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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