Frequently Asked Questions
Gel Ovations Europe provides innovative gel-based products designed to enhance comfort and reduce pressure for wheelchair users and individuals with mobility challenges. Our range includes cushions, pads, and accessories, all crafted to deliver superior support and improve overall well-being. Committed to quality and customer satisfaction, we aim to make a positive difference in the daily lives of our customers across Europe. For more information on our products and services, please refer to our detailed FAQ section below.
No problem. We regularly manufacture overlays for trays with left or right joystick cut-outs. Simply include this as part of your tracing or dimensions.
Yes. Gel Ovations provides made-to-measure solutions where a standard product may not meet the individual’s seating, positioning or pressure-care requirements.
Yes. The Gel Ovations range includes products designed for shower chairs, commode chairs and other specialist bathroom seating. The appropriate product should be selected according to the chair and the individual’s requirements.
Gel Ovations provides accessories compatible with a range of specialist shower chairs, including Aquatec Ocean, ETAC Swift, ETAC Clean, Raz, Osprey and Prism Freeway. Compatibility varies by individual product and chair model.
Gel-based bathroom accessories can provide additional cushioning and protection around vulnerable areas. They can help redistribute pressure and manage friction and shear during bathing and personal care as part of an appropriate pressure-care approach.
Gel Ovations provides a range of bathroom pressure care products, including shower chair accessories, gel wraps and covers, seat and backrest overlays, toilet seat pads, Aqua Harnesses and belts, foot protection and made-to-measure solutions.
A conventional pressure cushion may use materials such as foam, air or other pressure-redistributing technologies. Dimensional Gel uses a cellular medical-grade silicone design that provides a conformable, low-profile layer to help manage pressure, friction, shear, heat and moisture. The appropriate solution will depend on the individual’s clinical and seating requirements.
Yes. Dimensional Gel is used in a range of wheelchair and specialist seating applications. Its low-profile design provides additional cushioning and pressure redistribution without introducing unnecessary bulk, making it suitable for many wheelchair seating and positioning requirements.
Yes. Depending on the individual’s seating and pressure-care requirements, Dimensional Gel can be used alongside existing seating and pressure-management solutions. Product selection should be based on the user’s individual needs and appropriate clinical assessment
Dimensional Gel uses flexible silicone gel cells that conform around the body and allow movement in multiple directions. This helps redistribute pressure while reducing friction and shear and supporting airflow around vulnerable areas.
Dimensional Gel pads can be used as part of a pressure-care seating solution, but they are not limited to traditional pressure cushions. Their low-profile cellular design can provide targeted pressure redistribution and protection in wheelchairs, specialist seating and other areas where pressure, friction and shear need to be managed.
Yes. Every Wheelchair Tray Gel Overlay is individually manufactured to suit the client’s existing tray.
Yes. Our team is happy to discuss your client’s tray and advise on the most suitable method before manufacture begins.
That’s absolutely fine. Clear photographs and accurate measurements are often sufficient.
Many people ask the question Why Gel and not Sheepskin, Synthetic Sheepskin or Foam? The Gel Ovations product line of accessories is the best solution for padding Durable Medical Equipment. The comfort and quality come from both the covers and GELS used by Gel Ovations™. No type of product is ‘the best for everyone’ and yet high quality GEL may be the exception. Gel Ovations™ product line are usually the most comfortable for most people.
A GEL is neither liquid nor solid. When a hard object is pressed into a solid GEL, the GEL conforms to the shape of the hard object while simultaneously continuing to provide support. That combination is why solid GELS are so comfortable. Imagine resting your chin on your elbow and your elbow on a wooden desk. The pointed end of the elbow bone has little padding. This quickly leads to discomfort and can even cut off the blood circulation. To relieve the discomfort, the surface needs to be ‘softer’ and the pressure needs to be spread out over a larger area as happens with GEL.
Neither foam nor sheepskin has the ability to both soften and spread out the pressure. In addition, the number one complaint we hear about sheepskin is that it compresses and quickly looses its ability to cushion and pad. The next most frequent complaint is that sheep skin is so hard to keep clean and fresh looking. In many products, especially foam, the cover will crack, adding a sharp scratchy plastic edge that also can be very uncomfortable. The flexible, woven nylon / rubber covering of Gel Ovations™products is guaranteed to never crack. The cover also adds and extra layer of SOFT comfort that does not scratch and feels good to the skin.
Often, yes. However, because wheelchair trays vary considerably, we may request additional photographs or clarification before manufacture.
Gel Ovations stands out because our products focus on the “interface”—where the resident meets the equipment. We combine postural support and positioning with advanced materials that are durable, easy to clean, and specifically designed for the rigorous environment of a professional care home.
We offer specialised protection for residents at risk of falls or injury. This includes padded covers for bed rails and furniture edges, which provide a “soft landing” and reduce the severity of impact injuries should a resident have an accidental fall or limb strike.
Absolutely. By providing stable, non-slip surfaces and protective covers for equipment interfaces, our range supports safer patient moving and handling. They protect both the resident and the caregiver by reducing the risk of accidental scrapes or impacts during transfers.
Many residents spend long periods seated, which can lead to fatigue and pain. Our products provide improved seating comfort and sitting tolerance, allowing residents to remain engaged in social activities for longer without the discomfort associated with standard medical furniture.
Yes. Our products are designed for skin protection. Beyond just cushioning, the smooth gel surfaces help in the reduction of friction and shear forces. This is critical for residents with fragile skin who are at risk of skin tears during repositioning or daily movement.
The primary goal of our range is pressure redistribution. By using medical-grade silicone gel, our products increase the surface area in contact with the resident’s body. This minimises high-pressure “hotspots” over bony prominences, which is the most effective way to prevent the development of pressure ulcers (bedsores).
Our range is specifically engineered to address the multidimensional needs of long-term care. We provide high-performance gel-based solutions including:
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Wheelchair & Seating Pads: To improve sitting tolerance and comfort.
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Commode & Shower Chair Overlays: Softening hard surfaces for vulnerable skin.
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Bed Rail & Physical Interface Covers: Protecting limbs from impact and friction.
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Positioning Aids: Supporting postural alignment and stable seating.
Who are Gel Ovations products suitable for? Gel Ovations products are designed for individuals with reduced mobility or those at risk of developing pressure injuries due to prolonged sitting, contact with equipment, or fragile skin. They are commonly used by wheelchair users, people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal cord injuries, and individuals who require long-term seating or mobility support.
Our products are also suitable for people using mobility aids or medical equipment such as wheelchair, shower chairs, commodes, hoists, and walking aids where contact points can cause pressure, friction, or discomfort. By providing cushioning and pressure redistribution, gel products help protect vulnerable areas of the body and improve comfort during daily activities.
Gel Ovations solutions are widely used by healthcare professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, tissue viability nurses, and rehabilitation specialists. They are suitable for use in hospitals, care homes, rehabilitation settings, and private homes where maintaining skin integrity and improving comfort is important.
If needed, many products can also be made to measure to meet specific clinical or individual requirements
How Do I Clean The Products – To maintain hygiene and prolong the life of the product, please follow the cleaning guidelines below:
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Remove any spillage, bodily fluids, or debris from the surface prior to cleaning.
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Clean the cover using a Trust-approved disinfectant or cleaning agent in accordance with local infection control policies.
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Rinse the cover thoroughly with clean water to prevent any chemical residue or build-up. If the product is left wet, particularly after chemical exposure, the material may become more susceptible to abrasion or strike-through damage.
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Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using chemical cleaning agents.
Any special installation instructions are in the Instructions for use both in printed form with the product on delivery or on the product details in this website. You may want to try alternate ways of positioning of the pads. Here is a summary: For Velcro items, stretch the Velcro tabs or Velcro strip around the bottom of the handle or crutch top. Although positioning is personal preference, most people seem to get the greatest Comfort when the Velcro pads are installed as follows:
1) Identify the ‘hook’ edge of the product.
2) Place the product rubber side down with the sewn in gel on top of the handle and the ‘hook’ edge away from your body when your body is positioned to use the walker, wheelchair, etc. Wrap the cover over the handle and away from the body. The ‘hook’ edge seam will end up on the underside of the handle or far around the handle beyond your fingers.
For zipper items, stretch the cover over the existing and then close zipper for a snug fit. Should you remove the foam pad or foam top before installing? No, the pads/covers work best and fit best if put on right over the existing foam pad, handle or grip.
Removal:
To remove the cover/pad, simply undo the Velcro, unzip the cover or unbolt the pad. For the Anywhere pad (stick on type), break the suction along one edge of the pad. The adhesive is made by 3M and is designed to stick well and for easy release without leaving a residue. Should some stickiness remain, it can be removed with a little WD 40 sprayed on a paper towel or cloth.
The cover is a chloroprene rubber with a nylon surface, similar to wet suit material. Inside is open cell foam and a polyurethane solid GEL. When the product is described as ‘Dimensional Gel’ this is a Silicone Polymer based Gel. It is referred to as a ‘SOLID GEL’ and will not leak out. If the cover is punctured, it may feel a little sticky. To remove the stickiness, just coat the gel with a little baby powder.
There are NO Latex in these products.
