For anyone who spends extended periods in bed or a chair — whether recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or living with limited mobility — pressure injuries are a serious and preventable risk. Also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, these painful wounds can develop quickly, are difficult to treat once established, and can have significant consequences for a person’s health, comfort, and quality of life.
The good news is that with the right knowledge, routine care practices, and appropriate equipment, the risk of pressure injuries can be substantially reduced. This guide covers the essentials of pressure care — from understanding how bedsores develop, to the role of specialised pressure-relieving mattresses and overlays in keeping vulnerable individuals safe and comfortable.
What Are Bedsores and Why Do They Develop?
Bedsores develop when sustained pressure on an area of skin restricts blood flow to the tissue beneath. Without adequate blood supply, skin cells begin to break down — sometimes within a matter of hours in high-risk individuals. The areas most commonly affected are those where bone sits close to the surface of the skin, creating concentrated pressure points when a person lies or sits in the same position for too long. The heels, hips, tailbone (sacrum and coccyx), elbows, shoulders, and the back of the head are among the most vulnerable sites. These areas are sometimes referred to as ‘bony prominences’.
Anyone can develop a pressure injury given the right conditions, but certain groups face significantly higher risk. These include older adults in aged care settings, people recovering from surgery or hospitalisation, wheelchair users, individuals with neurological conditions that affect sensation or movement, and anyone who is largely confined to bed and unable to reposition themselves independently. For these individuals, proactive pressure care is not optional — it is an essential component of their overall care plan.
Early Signs of Pressure Injuries to Watch For
One of the most important aspects of pressure care is routine skin monitoring. Pressure injuries are far easier to manage when identified early, before they progress to deeper tissue damage. Carers, family members, and healthcare workers should check vulnerable skin areas regularly — ideally at each personal care routine.
Early warning signs include persistent redness or skin discolouration that does not fade when pressure is relieved, warmth or coolness in a localised area compared to surrounding skin, swelling, and tenderness or pain when the area is touched. In people with darker skin tones, early pressure injuries may appear as a change in skin texture or firmness rather than obvious redness. Any of these signs should be taken seriously and acted on promptly — if in doubt, consult a nurse or healthcare professional without delay.
The Importance of Regular Repositioning
Repositioning is the most fundamental tool in pressure injury prevention. By regularly changing a person’s position, carers redistribute the weight bearing on vulnerable areas and restore blood flow to tissues that have been under pressure.
In aged care and hospital settings, repositioning is typically carried out every two hours for individuals at higher risk — though the appropriate interval will depend on the person’s specific risk level, skin condition, and the support surface they are using. In home care environments, a consistent repositioning schedule is equally important, even if less formally structured. Small position changes — such as tilting a person slightly to one side using a pillow or wedge — can be helpful, and are often easier to manage for family carers.
Repositioning should be documented where possible, and all carers involved in an individual’s care should understand and follow the same schedule to ensure no gaps occur, particularly overnight.
Managing Skin Health and Moisture
Moisture is one of the factors that significantly increases the risk of skin breakdown. When skin is persistently damp — from perspiration, incontinence, or wound exudate — it becomes more fragile and vulnerable to damage from friction and pressure. Incontinence in particular is a well-recognised pressure injury risk factor, as urine and faeces can irritate and weaken the skin rapidly.
Keeping skin clean, dry, and well-moisturised is an important part of any pressure care routine. Barrier creams and moisture protection products can help protect vulnerable skin areas from prolonged exposure to moisture. Absorbent incontinence products and prompt changing after episodes of incontinence also play an important role. Avoid vigorous rubbing of skin during washing, as this can create friction damage — gentle patting is preferable.
How Pressure-Relieving Mattresses Help Prevent Bedsores
Even with excellent repositioning practices and skin care, individuals at higher risk of pressure injuries often benefit significantly from a specialist support surface. Pressure-relieving mattresses and overlays are designed specifically to reduce and redistribute the pressure that builds up when a person lies in the same position for extended periods.
Air mattresses and alternating-pressure systems work by using a pump to cyclically inflate and deflate air cells beneath the patient, continuously shifting the pressure loading points across the body. This means that no single area of skin remains under sustained pressure for long — effectively replicating, to some degree, the natural pressure relief that occurs when a mobile person moves during sleep. Static air overlays and foam overlays redistribute weight more passively but still provide substantially better pressure redistribution than a standard mattress.
These products are widely used in hospitals, residential aged care facilities, and home care environments, and are available in configurations ranging from simple foam overlays for lower-risk individuals through to sophisticated alternating-pressure systems for those at high risk or with existing injuries.
Choosing the Right Mattress for Pressure Care
Not all pressure care mattresses and overlays are the same, and selecting the right one matters. The appropriate product depends on the individual’s assessed risk level, their weight, their mobility, the care environment, and whether a pressure injury is already present or being managed.
As a general guide, lower-risk individuals may be appropriately supported by a good quality foam or static air overlay, while those at medium to high risk typically benefit from an alternating-pressure system. Where a pressure injury has already developed, a full mattress replacement system often provides a higher level of surface management than an overlay alone.
Given the clinical nature of these decisions, it is always recommended to seek guidance from a healthcare professional — such as a registered nurse or occupational therapist — before selecting a pressure care mattress. The team at Safety and Mobility is also experienced in helping carers, families, and facilities identify the right product, and is available to discuss your specific needs before you purchase.
Supporting Comfort and Safety in Long-Term Care
For individuals receiving long-term care — whether at home or in a facility — pressure care products play a dual role in supporting both safety and comfort. A well-chosen pressure care mattress does not just reduce injury risk; it also improves sleep quality, reduces pain and discomfort for those with existing skin concerns, and contributes to the overall wellbeing of the individual.
It is important to remember, however, that no mattress or overlay eliminates the need for the other elements of a comprehensive pressure care approach. Repositioning, skin monitoring, moisture management, good nutrition, and hydration all remain important. A pressure-relieving mattress is one component of a care strategy, not a replacement for attentive, holistic care.
When to Seek Professional Advice
If you suspect that an individual in your care has developed a pressure injury — or if you are concerned that their risk is high and their current support surface is not adequate — seek professional advice promptly. A registered nurse, wound care specialist, or occupational therapist can assess the individual’s skin condition and risk level, recommend appropriate care interventions, and advise on the most suitable pressure care equipment for their situation.
For guidance on selecting appropriate pressure care mattresses and overlays for home or aged care use, our team at Safety and Mobility is available by phone on (02) 9983 9520 or via our contact page. We are happy to help you find the right solution for your client or loved one’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bedsores develop when prolonged pressure on an area of skin reduces blood flow to the tissue below. This is most common in people who cannot move easily or reposition themselves, causing sustained pressure on bony areas such as the heels, hips, and tailbone. Without adequate blood supply, skin and underlying tissue begin to break down, leading to a pressure injury.
Regular repositioning is one of the most effective ways to prevent bedsores, as it redistributes pressure and restores blood flow to vulnerable areas. The appropriate interval depends on the individual’s risk level and the support surface they are using, but repositioning at least every two hours is a commonly recommended guideline for higher-risk individuals. A healthcare professional can advise on the most suitable schedule for a specific person.
Pressure-relieving mattresses and overlays significantly reduce the risk of bedsores by redistributing body weight and regularly shifting pressure loading points. However, they are most effective when used as part of a broader care approach that also includes regular repositioning, skin monitoring, moisture management, and appropriate nutrition. No single product eliminates pressure injury risk entirely on its own.
Older adults, people with limited mobility, individuals recovering from surgery or serious illness, wheelchair users, and anyone spending extended periods in bed are among those at highest risk. People with conditions that affect sensation — such as spinal cord injuries or advanced diabetes — may also be at elevated risk as they are less able to feel discomfort that would otherwise prompt them to move.
Yes. Many pressure care mattresses and overlays are specifically designed for home care use and can be set up on a standard bed or hospital bed at home. They are suitable for individuals receiving care in the community, including NDIS participants and those supported by home care packages. Safety and Mobility supplies pressure care mattresses for home use across Australia — visit our mattress overlays and air mattresses page or contact our team to find out more.