Equipment Information for Pressure Care

Being comfortable whilst sitting in a chair or wheelchair or lying in bed is not always easy when suffering with joint pain or skin breakdown problems. Mattresses and seat pads made of suitable material can offer relief.

Staff at Disabled Living aim to help and give advice on products and equipment that may help make daily living both easier and safer.

The equipment centre staff have extensive knowledge of national and local suppliers of equipment and can offer practical advice and details of where to get most disability products.

Disabled Living has on loan from companies, 100's of different types of disability equipment.

If you wish to try the equipment and to speak at length with an Occupational Therapist about equipment suitable for your needs please telephone Disabled Living for an appointment on:

08707 601580

Or email a member of the Equipment Centre staff at: Karen.Martin@disabledliving.co.uk

In order for staff to give you the right information please include in your email the area where you live or work.

What Type of Equipment can Help?
Whether you find it uncomfortable to sit in a chair at home, at work or whilst driving even if you have problems sleeping at night due to pain and discomfort there may be a product that can help. There are cushions, seat wedges and back supports for wheelchairs, high back chairs, dinning chairs, office chairs in fact any chair you sit in. Some types of cushions, seat wedges and back supports are fixed and some can be taken with you when you move to another seat or when going on a journey.Special mattresses and mattress overlays can bring comfort to sleepers. And special shaped pillows may help in easing pain and discomfort. Different types of material have different effects on different problems. The products can be made from different materials which give different effects; memory foam, gel a combination of the two and even special air filled pockets.

Bear in Mind
Any equipment used must be suitable and safe for the person to use. Everyone will have different requirements and needs, so what may suit one person may be of little or no use to someone else. Also, think about the possibility of using a ceiling track hoist or other free standing hoist equipment to help with bathing and toileting needs.

Where to get Equipment from
There are now many high street shops that sell a vast range of equipment. BUT could you be buying something you are entitled to get from either the NHS or Local Social Services? The offer of equipment from these services is limited. SO if you are in hospital ask to see the hospital Occupational Therapist, if you are at home,
contact your local Town Hall for your nearest Social Services Department and if you are in residential care ask the Care Manager.

Second-hand Equipment.
Almost all equipment can be bought second-hand. This is a good way of saving money if the equipment is in good working order and is a fraction of the cost new. BUT, do be aware that second-hand goods will have a shorter life-span than new products. Also that warranties will probably have run out or may not be transferable to another owner.

ALWAYS CHECK
The second-hand goods you are buying are in a good state of repair
Check no removable parts are missing
Ask for the original instructions
Ask to see the equipment working
Ask about any contacts the seller may have that could service or repair the equipment

BUT perhaps most important of all-don't buy something because it's cheap; buy it because it is safe and suitable for you to use.

Disabled Living advise that people obtain guidance from an Occupational Therapist or other such healthcare professional before purchasing disability equipment.

Leaflets

Disabled Living has a leaflet available on Pressure Care. To access the leaflets relating to this page click on the link below (the leaflet can be opened using the latest version of Adobe Reader which is available free from the adobe web site).