Yes You Can - Fourth Edition - 71

Make sure the tires have the recommended air pressure. Keep all nuts and bolts tight. If you use a power wheelchair, be sure to maintain the batteries. Hospital Beds and Mattresses Hospital beds can increase your independence. They can also make it easier and safer for caregivers to help you. Hospital beds are available in fully electric or semi-electric styles. You can take oﬀ the wheels to make the bed the same height as your wheelchair. A wide variety of mattresses are available—choose one that matches your needs for skin protection, comfort, and ease of mobility for changing position in bed. If you change your mattress, be sure to check your skin thoroughly the ﬁrst few days for any pressure problems. Your medical team can help you choose the best bed and mattress for your needs. Bed rails and trapezes are available, but remember that trapezes can cause shoulder injuries if they’re used incorrectly. Cushions and Positioning Equipment People with SCI often do not have working back and stomach muscles to help them maintain good posture. Positioning equipment helps you maintain posture. It can be used in bed or in a wheelchair. Positioning equipment is anything that’s used to keep your body in a certain position, including a cushion, a backrest, and other supportive devices. The backrest helps keep you in an upright position. All positioning equipment should— protect your skin; help maintain correct alignment; and be comfortable. Positioning devices can be as basic as foam, or they can be custom made. Some cushions use air, gel, foam, or a combination of materials. If you have complicated postural or skin protection needs, the positioning device can be custom molded to ﬁt your body exactly. Sometimes pressure mapping [using a device that measures where you put most of your weight] can help you decide whether a cushion will give good pressure relief. Some other things to consider when you’re choosing a cushion are— how much postural support you need; your wheelchair skill level; your skin protection needs; and your ability to care for the cushion [some are more complicated than others]. Bathroom Safety Equipment Choose your bathroom equipment on the basis of your ability, skin protection needs, and body size. The size and layout of your bathroom will also factor into the choice. One example of equipment is a bathtub transfer bench—it extends over the side of the tub to make transfers easier and safer. Other examples are raised toilet seats, grab bars, and hand-held showers. Check your equipment regularly for cracks in the surface and framework, and make sure grab bars are installed securely, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Damaged or unsafe bathroom equipment can cause falls and injuries to the skin. Transfer Equipment Mechanical Lifts If you can’t transfer independently, a lift can increase your safety and the safety of your caregivers. Lifts work well for transferring to and from the bed, wheelchair, and shower/commode chairs. Some lifts allow transfers oﬀ the ﬂoor. Section 2: Maximizing Your Function! | [ 71 ]

Yes You Can - Fourth Edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Yes You Can - Fourth Edition