Reducing Pain and Pressure: Smarter Prevention Strategies for Aged Care

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Reducing Pain and Pressure: Smarter Prevention Strategies for Aged Care

Published on
July 22nd, 2025

In the quiet hours of aged care homes across Australia, there’s a hidden burden many residents carry—one that causes pain, limits mobility, and can linger far too long. Pressure injuries, also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores, are among the most avoidable yet persistent complications in healthcare. For older people, particularly those with limited mobility, these injuries don’t just break down skin integrity—they break down dignity, comfort and confidence.

In 2023–24, over 299,000 Australians entered aged care services, including 75,600 in permanent residential care and 98,000 in respite care⁽¹⁾. Many of these individuals are older and may be frail or living with complex health conditions, placing them at increased risk of pressure injuries and skin tears. These injuries result in more than just discomfort—they often lead to extended care needs, increased risk of serious health complications, and significant system-wide costs that can exceed $56,000 per case⁽²⁾.

The situation is particularly serious because pressure injuries are, in many cases, avoidable. Studies and clinical audits have shown that structured prevention efforts can significantly reduce injury prevalence. In Victoria, a statewide survey reported an overall pressure injury prevalence of 17.6%, with 67.6% of those being hospital acquired, equating to a hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) rate of 11.9% in public health services⁽³⁾. This historical benchmark highlights the importance of nurse-led initiatives, staff education, and investment in appropriate support surfaces to improve outcomes across hospital environments. Yet in Aged Care and Home Care Services, the problem persists. Daily care routines often rely on manual repositioning—a task that’s physically taxing for carers as it is disruptive for residents.

Did You Know?

In 2022–23, the health care and social assistance industry reported 26,500 serious workers’ compensation claims, accounting for 19.1% of all serious claims in Australia. This underscores the significant physical and psychological demands faced by healthcare workers⁽⁴⁾.

This high-risk manual handling is largely driven by outdated equipment protocols. Many facilities still rely on high-specification foam mattresses. On average, these static surfaces require repositioning every two to four hours to effectively redistribute pressure, but they do not adjust to changes in posture or detect weight shifts. They offer limited protection against shear and friction, which are key contributors to pressure injuries on heels, sacrum and hips.

Australia’s National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards require facilities to screen for pressure injury risk, assess skin and nutritional status, and apply individualised prevention plans that include appropriate support surfaces⁽²⁾. For residents who cannot turn independently, or who are living with cognitive decline, these guidelines become even more critical.

Did You Know?

Older adults often underreport pain, believing it's a natural part of aging or fearing additional treatments. This misconception can lead to inadequate pain management and diminished quality of life⁽⁵⁾.

Among the required measures is selecting a surface that adapts to each resident’s changing condition. While foam may suffice in early-stage care, more responsive technologies are needed as risk increases. This is where dynamic support systems like the CuroCell^® iA come in.

Unlike static foam, CuroCell^® iA uses artificial intelligence to monitor and adapt to the resident’s body weight, height and movement. It adjusts pressure distribution automatically, eliminating the need for manual repositioning. The system is silent, comfortable, and designed to reduce shear forces between the skin and surface by managing pressure shifts between two air layers. Critically, it provides protection for pressure injuries up to and including Category 4 and maintains safe pressure levels for at least 12 hours in the event of power loss.

Comparison: Foam vs. CuroCell® iA

Did You Know?

Heel pressure ulcers, one of the most common injuries in aged care, were reduced from 10 to just 2 cases over three years in an NHS facility after introducing structured surface protocols and education campaigns⁽⁶⁾.

CuroCell^® iA not only reduces the risk of pressure injuries, but also lightens the workload on aged care teams. By eliminating the need for repositioning and mattress strap adjustments, carers are spared repetitive strain, and residents can sleep without unnecessary interruption. This enhances both safety and quality of life.

As noted in the Australian College of Nursing’s guidelines, nurses have a vital role in early identification and intervention for deterioration in older adults⁽⁷⁾. Choosing a pressure redistribution surface that aligns with a resident’s current and projected needs is a fundamental part of this role.

CuroCell^® iA supports this goal without complexity. It is service-free for five years, reducing inventory needs and simplifying supply logistics. With features like Air Flow Control^™ to recycle internal air and vapour-permeable covers to reduce skin maceration, it meets the highest standards of care in both aged and home care environments.

Pressure injuries remain a serious concern in aged care—but they are not inevitable. By shifting focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, and by selecting technologies that reduce risk for both residents and carers, care organisations can provide safer, more dignified experiences. The CuroCell^® iA mattress exemplifies this shift—quietly, intelligently, and compassionately.

Contact us today:

Phone: 1300 04 05 06

Email: hello@crescenthealthcare.com.au

Website: crescenthealthcare.com.au

Useful Resources:

Appointment Request Form

Mobile Shower Commode Brochure

Shower Commode Prescription Form

Pressure Care Seat Prescription Form

Ask CLARA (Crescent Healthcare Learning Assistance Resource for Advancement)