Managing Pressure Injuries
Pressure injuries are a health concern for many people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. As we age, our level of mobility and overall health may go through some changes, which can increase the risk of pressure injuries. However, with the right knowledge and resources, the risk of sustaining pressure injuries can be minimized.
No one wants to develop a pressure injury. They are usually preventable, but small problems can get worse very quickly. We have created some resources to help you and your healthcare team stay aware and work together to keep your skin healthy. Whether these are new info or a refresher, we hope they help you protect your skin.
The following four courses are designed to help you manage pressure injuries from early prevention to treatment.
Quick Video Refreshers
These videos break down skin health and spinal cord injury into bite-sized bits of information. You can also watch and share these on our YouTube channel.
Most people with SCI develop a pressure injury at some point throughout their life. This risk increases with age. In this video, skin health is explored, along with helpful tips to reduce the risk of pressure injury.
In this video, you will learn about:
- The importance of a healthy diet to help maintain the health of your skin, and its ability to heal and repair itself.
- How daily activities and changes to your routine can impact your skin health.
- How to prevent pressure injuries by keeping an eye on your skin.
As we get older, our muscles and joints may become stiff or sore. This can create more bumps and rubs of the skin with movement, leading to pressure injury.
In this video, you will learn about:
- Changing positions frequently to alleviate pressure from body parts.
- Keeping your skin clean, dry and well moisturized.
- Three tips for conducting daily skin checks and what to look out for.
A daily routine for monitoring skin health is extremely beneficial as we age. There are strategies that can be implemented into your daily routine to help you maintain healthy skin.
In this video, you will learn about:
- Key items to help you maintain a daily routine for monitoring your skin.
- Hygiene products to avoid in order to maintain healthy skin.
- Moisturizers and ointments that can act as an extra layer of protection for your skin.
Pressure injuries may occur from time to time and are quite common for people with a spinal cord injury. If you develop a pressure injury, preventative measures become critical in helping you heal and repair your skin.
In this video, you will learn about:
- Key signs to look for when conducting your daily skin check.
- Rehabilitation options that can help you strengthen your joints and muscles to better balance your posture and movement.
- How to manage your skin health once a pressure injury has healed.
- Common myths and facts about pressure injuries.
People with spinal cord injury are at increased risk of developing pressure injuries throughout their lifetime. A key aspect of prevention is performing regular daily skin checks. The video identifies key factors to consider when completing skin checks and also demonstrates the technique on how to complete skin checks independently and with assistance.
Clinicians across the SCI-IEQCC Network from Parkwood Institute, Hamilton Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Lyndhurst, Providence Care collaborated on this video alongside SCIO, Cortree and persons with lived experience.
Pressure Injury Guide
We created a guide, “Preventing and Treating Pressure Injuries: a guide for people using wheelchairs for daily mobility.” This is a great place to start if you are new to using a wheelchair, or if you are supporting someone who may be at risk.
The guide uses illustrations, charts and plain language descriptions to illustrate what are pressure injuries, how to prevent them, how to treat them, and tips for communicating with your team. Sign up now to receive the guide, and our Info team will follow up to see if you have any questions.
ALL AGING AND SCI COURSES
