How Cushions Help the Fight to Prevent Pressure Sores

Spending long periods of time sitting in the same position can lead to pressure sores. Using appropriate cushioning guards against the condition. Elderly people or those in rehab from illness or injury often have to spend much of their time in bed. In some cases, patients may be unable to get out of bed at all.

Those with paralysis in all or some parts of the body are especially at risk of pressure-point related injuries.

People with other disabilities may also be in a position where they need to sit down, possibly in a wheelchair, for much of the time. This may result in localised skin and soft tissue damage, usually where there is a bony part of the body. Areas at risk include the elbows, heels and bottom of the spine.

The skin damage, also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores, can take time to develop, but in some cases may form in a matter of hours. They result when there is consistent weight on a particular point of the body. Old people whose skin is fragile, may find they develop very easily. This often leads to pain and blood discharge from the sore.

Patients with reduced sensitivity may develop pressure sores without feeling any initial pain. These may include those on certain drugs.

If left untreated, these sores risk infection, leading to serious medical problems. It is therefore important to take steps to manage the issue.

The effect of standard bedclothes is usually inadequate. Nurses suggest using pressure cushions to relieve friction on the sites of the ulcers. Fleece padding can also be effective when applied to affected areas. Natural fleece or man-made varieties do a similar job.

Pads which attach using Velcro are available for specific parts of the body. Heel pads and elbow pads are popular. These are pieces of fleece or cotton with gel padding. Fleeces can make a difference, but frequently even these are not enough.

For sitting in armchairs or even when sitting up in bed, using a pressure relief cushion which actively guards against sores developing, could be the answer. They provide a soft barrier which reduces friction on the body.

Foam, Gel and Air-Filled Cushions

Various types of foam cushion are available, some with ‘memory’ properties which mould to the contours of the body. This often helps short-term comfort but can lead patients to ‘fix’ their position. Some foam cushions have a ‘nodular’ construction, allowing air to flow through the cushion, reducing heat and patient discomfort.

Gel-filled cushions are another popular choice. These disperse weight, increasing comfort and spreading the point of pressure. As with the foam filled models, many gel pressure cushions are nodular in their design, allowing as much air-flow as possible. This has the effect of keeping the patient cool.

Air-filled cushions can also be effective in some cases. These require inflation before use, and again are usually of a nodular design. These models are vulnerable to puncture, so it is crucial to take care of sharp objects when using them.

In addition to seat or chair cushions, various designs are also available as mattresses or mattress toppers. These are for patients who lie in bed without moving for long periods.

A wheelchair user will frequently need a pressure relief cushion. Being in a ‘fixed’ position in the chair, they are vulnerable to ulcers developing. Cushions are available in numerous sizes and depths in order to fit the user's chair.

Nurses stress that it is vital to spot the chance of a pressure sore before it develops. Once there, bandages and dressings can be difficult to replace, so the target is to avoid the sore in the first place.

There are four grades, or ‘stages’ of bed sores. Pressure cushions all come with advice to let you know which grade they are suitable for. Ideally, a doctor or nurse who has examined you first-hand should tell you which one to use.

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Benefits of Using Shower Seats for Elderly or Disabled People

Unassisted bathing and showering can become difficult in old age. Fortunately a range of aids is available which make it easier and safer. Simply getting in and out of the bath are tasks which can go from routine, to fraught with danger in later life. Fragile bones and impaired balance can lead to falls and bone fractures.

A fall for some elderly people is a dangerous, even life-threatening event. Broken bones or ligament damage can lead to long periods in hospital and the risk of infection and secondary illness.

Some people use steps and support rails fitted around the bath to make it safer to get in and out. This is a solution for many, but ideally a walk-in shower cubicle is widely regarded as the best long-term option. The drawback with this is that the person has to stand for the duration of the shower. Many conditions affecting the elderly make this very uncomfortable.

Seating in the Shower Cubicle

To overcome this problem, many people use a shower stool situated in the cubicle itself. Made from rust-proof materials, these provide an effective solution. They enable the user to sit down while showering, thus reducing the strain involved.

Without the high side of the bathtub to overcome, this option is easily the safest for elderly people. It reduces the chance of slipping and having a dangerous fall.

It is however important to choose the correct chair, seat or stool. Most of the best designs share some key features.

As the sitting area is going to be wet, it is crucial that it drains well. This means that it will need holes in the seat itself. Water from the shower then runs through the seat, reducing the chances of the user slipping when sitting in standing water.

The potential slipperiness of the floor of the shower is also an issue. Fitting non-slip feet to the stool can remedy this.

High friction plastic stoppers are ideal for this task. Old fashioned rubber feet perish over time because of exposure to water, reducing their gripping properties. They are no longer popular choices of material. Many modern plastics on the other hand, are waterproof and will do a great job as non-slip feet for shower seats for elderly.

For the seat’s frame, aluminium is the most popular choice for use in wet environments. It is strong and lightweight, making it easy to move in and out of the shower. Its non-corrosive properties further enhance its suitability.

An additional feature which some seats employ, is a back rest. These often make the sitter feel more secure than a simple stool.

Mobile Shower Wheelchairs

A disabled shower seat may need to be more substantial than the standard equipment available for the elderly. People with severe disability often require special wheelchairs in order to access the shower.

Building wet-rooms with smooth flooring from wall-to-wall, and under the shower head. This means a wheelchair can roll in and out without obstruction.

Regular-use wheelchairs are not suitable for this purpose. Shower wheelchairs made using appropriate non-rusting materials with perforated drainage seats are more appropriate.

In some cases, the wheelchair user may need nursing care to help them in the bathroom. Waist height shower screens protect the nurse or carer as they wheel the chair into the shower area, so that they can assist without getting wet themselves.

Another type of disabled shower seat is the wall-mounted variety. These work as fixed benches which stick-out horizontally from the wall, or they can fold flat when not in use. These collapse against the wall, so they do not take up much space. This is a useful feature, especially if the able bodied people use the same cubicle. It is of vital important to securely fix this type of seat to the wall.

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Development of Modern Crutches

Crutches have come a long way from their earliest designs to the comfortable, lightweight models we see today. Their purpose remains as pertinent now as it was when they were first used hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. If you have an injury to one of your legs or feet, you need to reduce the weight the injury bears as you move around. This is where crutches come in.

The earliest forms of wooden crutches took the shape of simple long ‘T-Shaped’ walking sticks. The cross-bar of the ‘T’ would fit into the armpit of the user. This channeled the user’s weight through the armpits, shoulders and upper body, rather than through the injured limb.

The problem with this design was mainly one of balance. If someone’s weight was too far forward or too far back, it was easy to lose balance and fall over. The design of crutches therefore evolved to use a ‘V’ shape towards the top of the crutch, in order to combat this.

The ‘V’ shape resulted from splitting the wood and separating it as required. The two prongs of the ‘V’ required bracing at the top by the horizontal section fitting under the user’s arm. This meant that weight was more evenly distributed downwards, giving greater stability.

Another shorter horizontal brace towards the narrowest section of the ‘V’ would create a natural hand hold at about waist height.

This style of crutch is still in use today and known as an ‘Axilla’ crutch. While rarely made of wood, it still uses the excellent weight distributing properties of the ‘V’ shaped design.

It remained the most popular style of crutch until midway through the 20th Century. It was at that stage when people tried to find a design which provided less discomfort to the user.

The first modern ‘forearm crutches’ were first seen in the 1950s. As the name would suggest, with this design the user’s weight transfers mainly through the forearms. This reduces stress on the hands and under the arms.

This design also allows for greater adjustability. Both the lower shaft and the upper shaft can be set to the desired length. This makes these crutches suitable for people of various heights. They are now the most common crutches used around the world. The NHS in the UK prescribes the used of hundreds of thousands of this type of crutch every year.

Commonly known as 'elbow crutches' and made from aluminium, they feature a plastic cuff at the height of the top shaft, which wraps around the top of the forearm. A lower hand-grip sticks out horizontally just below waist height.

Padding for Crutches

A persistent problem with forearm crutches is that the longer you use them, the more pain they can cause to the user’s hands. Narrow handles, typically made of plastic, can cut into the hand with repeated use.

While the earliest crutches had no padding at all, some early wooden versions had leather pouches filled with horse hair. Built-in plastic filled with foam padding is now common, both for the handles and the under-arm weight-bearing parts. Crutches’ accessories like removable foam pads are also popular.

Another innovation is the development of ‘ergonomic’ handles. These have a specially designed surfaces which do not dig in to the hands. These wide, contoured handles spread weight across the palms, significantly increasing comfort.

These handles are particularly useful for those using crutches for prolonged periods of time.

Ferrules for Crutches

Early wooden models were prone to accidents caused by the foot of the crutch slipping on the ground. With the invention of new materials like rubber and plastic, special feet now fit to the bottom of the shafts, providing high friction and grip.

Other crutches’ accessories include metal spikes which fit to the bottom of the shaft, perfect for slippery, icy conditions.

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Living Aids Help the Elderly Stay in Their Own Homes

Modern technology is making it more viable for people to retain their independence well into old age. With the huge cost of living in sheltered housing, there is a drive to enable pensioners to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

This also meets the needs of the people in that situation. Surveys in the UK tell us that living in one’s home is the first choice for elderly people.

Caring for the elderly is also a major and growing cost for the government. As people live longer and require more medical care, the NHS bill grows and taxes rise. They too, then, are looking for ways to cut this cost.

The problem is this: advances in medical care means people are simply living longer. The net result of this is an ever-older population. Members of this sector of society may be unfit and may struggle living alone without help.

In the past, many would need costly part-time or live-in nursing care. To delay this, disability aids can introduced around the home. Indeed, introducing simple daily living aids around can improve an elderly person’s mobility and quality of life. This can lead to years of life without the need of a carer.

Support Rails Around the Home

Fitting support rails is a simple first step. If a person is unsteady on their feet, or whose disability makes it difficult to move around the home, carefully placed rails can help. A hand-rail for example next to the doorstep or washing basin can make all the difference.

A qualified tradesmen should fit the rails. Fitting one poorly can lead to accidents or serious injury. Note the type of wall in order to select the correct screws and wall-plugs.

Other Daily Living Aids

Fixed hand rails are one type of disability equipment for elderly people, but there are many more. Zimmer frames for example can be of great help moving from room to room. Similarly, wheeled kitchen trolleys can do a similar job. These have the added benefit of shelves or trays for carrying plates, cups or other items.

Sitting down and standing up can become stressful in old age. Arthritis in particular is one disease which has a great impact. Raised cushions, toilet seats and various other items can make it easier to sit down and stand up, reducing the distance of travel.

Many elderly people find it hard to climb stairs even with the help of a rail. In some cases this can mean half of their house because out of reach. For these people, a stairlift may be a good option. While expensive, they can be crucial pieces of equipment for elderly people.

In addition to disability aids which require fitting, there are thousands of other small devices available. These range from cooking and feeding aids, to those made to assist with personal hygiene for the bathroom.

Many elderly people suffer with conditions which leave them with a tremor. This makes it difficult to control knives and forks, tin openers and other hand held items around the home. Even turning door handles can become difficult.

Adapted cutlery and other gripping devices assist with this problem. Often these have larger, slightly heavier handles than normal cutlery, or which clip the hand. Door handle turners provide more leverage and enable easier use.

Similarly, dressing aids are important disability equipment for elderly people. The regular flexibility and strength needed to put on and take off clothing diminishes in later life. Shoehorns, button hooks, sock aids and various other tools make it viable to dress without help.

Wheelchair Access

For disabled people of all ages who are unable to walk, wheelchairs are a basic necessity. Adapting the home to enable wheelchair access is a common solution. Special modifications to kitchens and bathrooms make them easy to use from chair-height.

Fitting light switches and plug sockets at a suitable height also makes a big difference. Installing ramps can transform wheelchair access. With them, small obstacles like door thresholds present great difficulty to the wheelchair user.

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Why Crutches Remain a Critical Rehabilitation Aid

Using crutches after an operation can speed-up recovery. Surgery to knees, hips, ankles and feet often leave patients unable to walk. Modern crutches help the person get back on their feet without assistance. There are numerous styles available, along with many crutch accessories in the UK.

One of the major problems when recovering from injury is a lack of mobility. If the patient is unable to move around, it can lead to secondary problems like weight-gain. For this reason, doctors recommend re-establishing mobility as quickly as possible.

Crutches, while avoiding strain on the injury itself, let the user exercise the rest of their body. They also create mobility and independence. While some models are available on the NHS, many people look for better quality crutches for sale online.

Adjustable or Non-Adjustable

Elbow crutches with handles are now the most common. With this design, the hands transfer most of the user’s weight.

Elbow crutches have a cuff which fits around the bicep and feature a lower hand-grip. Each crutch usually has two aluminium shafts, one at the top and one longer one at the bottom. In some cases, one or both of these shafts is adjustable in length.

The shafts are set at the desired length by a simple but strong pin-clip. These ‘double adjustable’ models give the greatest flexibility in terms of fit. The distance between the bicep cuff and the hand-grip can also be set precisely.

One drawback of these models is the ‘flex’ which is created using the adjustable parts. For this reason, people who use crutches all the time, prefer non-adjustable shafts.

These 'permanent user crutches' require cutting with hacksaw to achieve the desired length. Their advantage is that they feel rigid and do not make ‘clicking’ sounds. People with long-term or permanent conditions favour this style. They usually prefer the more solid ‘feel’ the more rigid shafts of elbow crutches offer.

Foam hand pads can increase the comfort of using elbow crutches for sale in the UK. Handles which spread weight evenly are also available. These are useful for people who use crutches a lot. Some standard-issue models have narrow handles which can cut into the user’s palms. This makes them unsuitable for long-term use.

Traditional ‘Under-Arm’ Crutches

Unlike modern designs, traditional crutches focus the user’s weight on pads which fit into the armpit. Known as ‘Axilla’ crutches, this style is rigid and strong, but can cause discomfort with prolonged use. This is because the pads can dig-in to the user’s armpit, restricting blood flow.

Axilla crutches also offer less adjustment than modern elbow crutches. Typically, they have just one adjustable lower shaft. A pin-clip is usually in place for this purpose. This allows the overall length to be set. It does not allow variation in the upper arm distance.

Rubber Feet for Safety

Rubber or plastic caps come fitted to the feet of the vast majority of crutches for online. These reduce the chance of the crutches slipping on the ground. Usually referred to as ‘ferrules’, these rubber feet are an important safety feature. They are available in the either black or grey versions.

It is important to use a high quality ferrule. Most ferrules in the UK have an internal metal washer. This stops the metal base of the crutch cutting through the rubber. Without this, the ferrule would soon wear out. Using crutches without non-slip feet is dangerous and can lead to injury. This makes them probably the most important crutch accessories in the UK.

Practical Uses

For some people, crutches are the only realistic alternative to a wheelchair. Because of the difficulties day-to-day wheelchair use involves, crutches are a practical option. Their use enables the user to maintain upright mobility. This allows access to areas which might be impossible in a wheelchair.

While they do require some upper-body strength, people adapt to their use quickly. The elderly may have difficulty with this, often restricting their use of crutches to the home.

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Why Mobility Aids Make A difference in Old Age

People in the UK are living longer and want to stay in their homes in old age. This means there is an increasing need for equipment to help them do this. Simple items like grab rails, ramps, mobility walkers and special kitchenware are among those helping people stay independent.

By 2027, 20% of the population will be over 65 years of age, according to government figures. This is likely to put extra strain on the already-stretched NHS. Because of this, it is important to find ways for people to live without assistance for as long as possible.

Support Rails in the Home

One simple type of mobility aid is the support rail. These provide stability to the user when fitted to walls next to wash basins, baths or toilets. They are available in many lengths, colors and styles. Some are suitable for outside use and made with non-corrosive materials. White rails with texture grip surfaces are popular for use in the bathroom.

Some rails are free-standing and do not require fixing to a wall. Toilet frames provide support when sitting down and standing up at the WC. Similar rails are available for use when getting in and out of bed.

Bathtub grab bars are also increasingly popular. These provide the means to wash and bathe without assistance.

Walking Aids

If Arthritis or another condition affects your ability to walk, a walking frame or zimmer frame might help. They are now among the most common mobility aids in the UK. They are easy to use, thanks to their lightweight construction. Mobility walkers like this are available with or without wheels.

A rollator is the name given to a more robust walking aid. These are available with either three or four wheels and are sometimes fitted with brakes. Many rollators also have an integral seat and a basket. This makes them ideal for trips to the shops.

Most rollators are foldable so are easily stored when not in use.

Kitchen Mobility Equipment

There are many special tools available to make life easier in the kitchen. Adapted cutlery can make a big difference for those with a weak grip. Perching stools help the user ‘semi-sit’ at a worktop while preparing food. Support rails provide an extra safety feature where needed.

Because many people suffer in later life with a tremor, devices are available to lock food in place for slicing. This reduces the risk of knife injury.

Tin-openers which work at the touch of a button are also helpful aids. Thus, food preparation requires less physical strength.

Crutches and Walking Sticks

Traditional mobility aids in the UK include crutches. These are available in various styles to suit the individual. Most manufacturers use aluminum to make modern crutches. This is because of its lightweight properties, combined with being rigid and strong.

Adjustable length crutches make them suitable for various heights of user. These are useful for those with mobility issues following injury.

Aluminum walking sticks are also growing in popularity, but wooden varieties are still common. The walking stick or cane is an effective aid for those struggling to walk unassisted. Fitting rubber feet prevents walking sticks slipping in wet conditions.

Aids for Leisure

Pastimes like gardening are popular with the over 65s in the United Kingdom. There are many garden mobility aids in the UK made to reduce strain on the body. The garden kneeler for example makes it easier to rise from the ground when weeding or planting.

A range of tools including trowels and garden forks are available with an adapted grip. Its design makes it easier to maintain the tool in a stable position, while requiring minimal strength.

Reaching and Turners

Reaching aids assist those with a limited ability to stretch. Their use also reduces the need to bend down to pick things up.

Other simple devices make it easier to us plugs or turn door levers. Again, these are especially valuable to those with reduced strength in their hands, or who suffer with a tremor. Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/183237438288/why-mobility-aids-make-a-difference-in-old-age