Ways to use positioning pillows for disabled people
Positioning pillows for disabled people can help to provide comfort, additional support and aid in the relief or prevention of pressure sores & ulcers, but there is certainly an optimum way to use them in order to maximise their effect.
What is the correct way to use positioning pillows for disabled people?
Back support: back support is incredibly important to an individual’s comfort levels, pain relief, injury prevention and posture. The correct way to use positioning pillows for back support is as follows:
- Place a positioning pillow under the lower back for the support of the spine
- Put pillows along the back to keep the person securely on their side where necessary
Leg support: particularly important for individuals with limited mobility and wheelchair users, leg support helps to reduce the risk of injury, reduce swelling in the joints and enhance blood flow. As such, getting the right support using positioning pillows is key to health, wellbeing and pressure management:
- Place a pillow under the shins to raise the toes off the mattress
- Place a pillow under the legs to raise the heels off the mattress
Lying support: support when side-lying can help an individual in many areas of their wellbeing, helping with posture, promoting comfort and relieving pressure on the back and buttocks. Pillows can be position as follows to promote side-lying:
- Place positioning pillows along the back to keep the person on their side
- Place an appropriately sized wedge cushion behind the back
Prone position: prone lying can help with breathing and the oxygenation of blood and is often used for individuals with respiratory issues. As such, finding the correct way to use positioning pillows to promote this is crucial and can be achieved as follows:
- Place a pillow under the head
- Put two or more pillows under the chest & thighs
- Place pillows under the feet
Our range positioning pillows
At Pressure Care Management, we offer a wide range of positioning pillows for disabled people, such as PosiPerle Postural Positioning Cushions and CareFlow Postural Positioning Cushions; providing valuable support and relief from or support in the prevention of pressure sores & ulcers.
