Pressure Care in Care Homes: Preventing Pressure Ulcers and Improving Resident Comfort

Why Pressure Care in Care Homes Matters

Pressure care in care homes is one of the most important aspects of resident wellbeing, safety and quality of life. Across the UK, many care home residents live with reduced mobility, frailty, long-term health conditions, poor circulation, sensory impairment or complex postural needs. These factors can significantly increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers, also known as pressure injuries or pressure sores.

Effective pressure ulcer prevention in care homes requires a proactive approach. Regular risk assessments, repositioning schedules, skin inspections, staff awareness and the use of appropriate pressure care equipment all play a vital role in protecting vulnerable residents.

At Gel Ovations, we supply specialist pressure care products for care homes, nursing homes and residential care settings throughout the UK. Our solutions are designed to help carers and clinicians reduce pressure, minimise friction and shear, improve comfort and support effective pressure injury prevention.

What Is Pressure Care in a Care Home?

Pressure care refers to the assessment, prevention and management of pressure ulcers in individuals who may be unable to move or reposition themselves independently.

Pressure ulcers develop when sustained pressure restricts blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues. Friction and shear forces can further increase tissue damage, particularly in older adults with fragile skin.

In care homes, pressure care is particularly important because many residents spend prolonged periods sitting in armchairs, wheelchairs, recliners or lying in bed. Without appropriate preventative measures, these residents may be at increased risk of developing pressure damage.

Good pressure care combines clinical assessment, regular monitoring and the use of specialist pressure care products to help reduce risk and improve comfort.

How Common Are Pressure Ulcers in UK Care Homes?

Pressure ulcers remain a significant concern within older adult care settings.

A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies examined pressure injuries among older people living in nursing homes. The review found:

• A pooled pressure injury prevalence of 11.6%
• A pressure injury incidence of 14.3%
• A nursing-home-acquired pressure injury rate of 8.5%

The study also identified the heel, sacrum and foot as among the most commonly affected areas.

These findings are particularly relevant to care homes, where many residents may have limited mobility and require support with transfers, repositioning and daily activities.

What Could This Mean for an Average UK Care Home?

According to carehome.co.uk sector data, there are approximately 16,441 registered care homes and 529,549 registered care home beds across the UK. This equates to an average of around 32 residents per care home.

Applying the reported prevalence rate of 11.6% suggests that an average-sized care home could have approximately four residents living with a pressure injury at any one time.

For a larger 50-bed care home, this figure could rise to approximately six residents.

Even using the lower nursing-home-acquired pressure injury rate of 8.5%, a 50-bed care home could still expect around four residents to be affected.

While these figures are estimates rather than direct UK audit data, they illustrate the importance of pressure ulcer prevention in care homes. For many providers, pressure care is not an occasional issue but a daily clinical priority.

Why Pressure Ulcer Prevention Matters in Care Homes

Pressure ulcers can have a serious impact on residents’ health and wellbeing.

They may lead to:

• Pain and discomfort
• Reduced mobility
• Increased risk of infection
• Longer recovery times
• Loss of independence
• Reduced quality of life

For older adults already living with frailty or complex health needs, even a relatively small pressure injury can quickly become a significant care challenge.

Pressure injuries can also increase workload for care teams through additional monitoring, dressing changes, repositioning schedules, equipment reviews and clinical referrals. In severe cases, pressure ulcers may result in hospital admission or safeguarding concerns.

The UK Government’s guidance on pressure ulcers and safeguarding adults highlights the importance of preventing avoidable harm and responding appropriately when pressure damage occurs. NICE guidance similarly reinforces the importance of risk assessment, prevention and management across all care settings, including care homes.

Common Pressure Risk Areas in Care Home Residents

Pressure injuries most commonly develop in areas where bone lies close to the skin surface and pressure is concentrated for extended periods.

Common high-risk areas include:

• Heels
• Sacrum
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Elbows
• Ankles
• Feet

The heel deserves particular attention. Research consistently identifies the heel as one of the most common locations for pressure injuries among nursing home residents.

Residents who spend prolonged periods in bed, recliner chairs, wheelchairs or specialist seating may be especially vulnerable to heel pressure damage.

The feet and lower limbs also require careful consideration. Poor positioning, unsupported feet, contact with footplates, friction during transfers and reduced circulation can all contribute to discomfort and tissue vulnerability.

Choosing Pressure Care Equipment for Care Homes

Effective pressure ulcer prevention in care homes requires more than clinical assessment alone. Appropriate pressure care equipment can play an important supporting role in everyday prevention strategies.

While no single product can replace good clinical practice, specialist pressure care products can help reduce pressure, friction and shear while improving resident comfort.

Gel Ovations provides a wide range of pressure care products for care homes, including:

• Pressure redistribution seating cushions
• Gel pads and pressure care cushions
• Dimensional Gel pressure care solutions
• RippleGel pressure redistribution products
• Flat Gel support surfaces
• Transfer protection products
• Positioning supports
• Wheelchair pressure care accessories
• Foot and lower-limb protection solutions

These products are designed to support vulnerable areas of the body while helping carers deliver safer and more comfortable care.

Improving Resident Comfort Through Effective Pressure Care

Pressure care should not be viewed solely as a clinical requirement. Resident comfort is equally important.

A resident who is properly supported in a chair, protected during transfers and positioned comfortably throughout the day is more likely to feel secure, relaxed and dignified.

Good pressure care can also contribute to improved posture, stability and confidence. For residents who use wheelchairs, recliners, shower chairs or specialist seating, appropriate support around the feet, legs, arms and seated areas can help reduce pressure points and improve overall comfort.

This is where specialist pressure care products can make a practical difference. Equipment designed specifically for care home environments must be durable, easy to clean, simple to use and capable of withstanding repeated daily use by busy care teams.

A Practical Message for Care Homes

The available evidence suggests that pressure injuries may affect approximately one in nine older nursing-home residents at any one time.

For an average UK care home, that could mean around four residents living with a pressure injury. In larger homes, the figure may be even higher.

These statistics highlight the importance of proactive pressure ulcer prevention in care homes. Regular risk assessments, skin inspections, repositioning schedules, staff training and suitable pressure care equipment all contribute to protecting residents and reducing the risk of avoidable pressure damage.

At Gel Ovations, we understand the challenges faced by care homes, nursing homes and residential care providers. Our specialist pressure care products are designed to support safer care, improve resident comfort and help protect vulnerable skin during everyday care routines.

Whether supporting residents in beds, wheelchairs, recliners or specialist seating systems, effective pressure care remains one of the most important investments a care home can make in resident wellbeing.

To learn more about our specialist pressure care products for care homes, visit the Gel Ovations Care Home Solutions page.

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Pressure Care Products Available from Gel Ovations

Care homes often require a combination of pressure redistribution, positioning, and protection products to help support residents who spend long periods sitting or lying down.

Gel Ovations offers a range of specialist pressure care products designed to improve comfort, reduce pressure concentration, and help protect vulnerable skin.

Dimensional Gel Pads

Dimensional Gel Pads are manufactured using medical grade silicone gel and provide advanced pressure redistribution for residents at high risk of pressure damage.

Suitable for:

• Wheelchairs
• Specialist chairs
• Rise and recline chairs
• Bespoke seating systems
• Bed positioning applications

Dimensional Gel Plus Pads

Dimensional Gel Plus combines pressure redistribution with additional positioning support, making it ideal for residents with complex seating and postural requirements.

Suitable for:

• High-risk pressure care
• Specialist seating
• Neurological conditions
• Long-term care home residents

Ripple Gel Pads

Ripple Gel provides excellent pressure redistribution while helping reduce friction and shear. These pads can be used in a variety of seating and positioning applications throughout care homes.

Heel Protection Products

Pressure damage frequently develops on the heels.

Gel Ovations heel protection products include:

• Gel Heel Loop Covers
• Heel Protectors
• Heel Positioning Supports

These products help cushion vulnerable heel areas and improve comfort during prolonged sitting or lying.

Lateral Supports

Many residents require additional postural support to maintain a safe and comfortable seating position.

Our Lateral Supports help:

• Improve trunk stability
• Improve posture
• Reduce leaning
• Improve seating comfort

Available with adjustable hardware and Dimensional Gel pads.

Adductor Supports

Adductor supports help maintain lower limb positioning and improve seating alignment for residents with complex postural needs.

Available in:

• Fixed versions
• Swing-away versions
• Multiple mounting options

Knee and Leg Protection Products

Gel Ovations offers a range of:

• Knee Protectors
• Leg Protectors
• Gel Wraps
• Support Covers

These products help reduce pressure and protect vulnerable areas from wheelchair frames, supports, and positioning equipment.

Seat Belt Covers and Strap Covers

Residents using positioning belts or harnesses can experience pressure and rubbing.

Our:

• Gel Seat Belt Covers
• Gel Strap Covers
• Positioning Strap Covers

help improve comfort while reducing friction and pressure against the skin.

Bariatric Pressure Care Products

For bariatric residents, Gel Ovations offers specialist products designed to provide pressure redistribution and support for higher load requirements, including:

• Bariatric Knee Protectors
• Bariatric Positioning Supports
• Dimensional Gel Pressure Redistribution Products

See also:

NICE Guidelines:

Pressure ulcers: prevention and management

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Care in Care Homes

What is pressure care in a care home?

Pressure care involves assessing residents who are at risk of pressure ulcers and implementing preventative measures such as repositioning, skin inspection and the use of pressure care equipment.

Why are care home residents at risk of pressure ulcers?

Many residents have reduced mobility, frailty, poor circulation or medical conditions that make it difficult to reposition independently, increasing their risk of pressure damage.

What pressure care equipment is used in care homes?

Common pressure care equipment includes pressure redistribution cushions, gel pads, positioning supports, wheelchair accessories, heel protection and transfer protection products.

How can pressure ulcers be prevented in care homes?

Pressure ulcer prevention typically involves risk assessment, regular repositioning, skin monitoring, staff training and the use of appropriate pressure care products.

What are the most common pressure ulcer sites?

Common sites include the heels, sacrum, hips, buttocks, ankles, feet and elbows.

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Written by Gel Ovations

Gel Ovations Europe Ltd is a specialist manufacturer and supplier of pressure care, positioning, and rehabilitation products used throughout healthcare, care homes, wheelchair services, rehabilitation centres, and specialist seating environments.

With over 35 years of experience in pressure redistribution and postural support, Gel Ovations designs and manufactures innovative products including Dimensional Gel®, Dimensional Gel Plus®, Ripple Gel®, lateral supports, adductor supports, and specialist pressure care solutions.

Our products are used by occupational therapists, seating specialists, rehabilitation professionals, care providers, and wheelchair services across the UK and internationally to help improve comfort, positioning, skin protection, and pressure care outcomes.

For more information about our pressure care and specialist seating products, visit the Gel Ovations website or contact our team for expert advice.

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