You might not have given it much thought, but how you sit in your wheelchair has a big impact on posture, comfort and preventing pressure sores. To empower its member, QASA hosted a webinar on seating in partnership with Sitwell Technologies.
Founder of Sitwell Technologies Adam Bottomley shared his insights. Here are the top highlights from the webinar, including Adam’s “Rule of Bum”.
Bum to the back
With between eight and 16 hours a day spent in a wheelchair, it is important to get your seating posture correct the moment you get into your chair.
Adam’s “rule of bum” is all about getting your bum (backside) to the every back of the chair. You want your weight evenly distributed across the seat.
If you are only half sitting on your chair (your bum isn’t to the very back), you are putting more weight or pressure on specific parts, which can cause pressure sores.
Support the body
Sheer force or friction can cause tears in the skin, which can increase the risk of developing pressure sores. To prevent sliding off your chair, you want your legs supported.
Ensure that your legs can be at a comfortable 90 degree angle from your hips. If your legs are elevated too high, it will put additional pressure on your bum, which can cause a pressure sore. Your arms should be comfortably by your side with armrests that are wide and padded to injure.
Sitting cushy
Your wheelchair cushion is your most vital tool to ensure comfortable seating and preventing pressure sores. Make sure you check your cushion regularly to ensure it is in a good condition.
You want the cushion to sit on a firm base, for your bum to sink about halfway into the cushion and for there to be at least two-fingers width between the cushion and the back of your knees.
Ideally, your cushion should be waterproof, breathable and always dry when you use it. You should clean the cushion regularly. It is recommended to have a spare cushion available.
Relieving pressure
There are many ways to take some pressure off you bum when in your chair. There are tilting chairs that can assist, but you can also do pressure relief leans or push ups.
Learn more about pressure relieving exercises here.
Seek medical attention
It is important to catch and treat pressure sores early. Check yourself for any signs of redness or darker spots (depending on skin colour) every day. If there is a suspicious area, keep the pressure off. If the skin doesn’t return to normal after 20 minutes, it could be a pressure sore and should be managed as such.
Pressure sores can develop from the inside out, or outside in, so any suspicious areas or breaks in the skin should be taken very seriously. Always seek medical attention to be safe if you have a concern.
Watch the full webinar
You can view the full webinar with Adam here:
