Petal Back™ adaptive clothing is about providing comfort and dignity to those who wear it. But there are also significant benefits for staff in high care, palliative care, rehab centres and other healthcare settings.
Staff in residential care facilities, including aged care, have a higher-than-average chance of being seriously injured at work [source: WorkSafe Victoria]. Since the late 1990s, ‘no lifting’ has been the recommended policy across all Australian healthcare settings, to reduce injuries.
Using regular clothing for people with dementia or limited mobility, even with lifting aids such as hoists, can cause musculoskeletal injuries to carers and health professionals.
With Petal Back Clothing’s adaptive garments, no rolling or lifting is required. Thanks to our unique design, Petal Back tops slide gently up the arms and slip easily over the head of the wearer. Petal Back adaptive trousers are easy to pull on and designed for easily managing continence aids.
A single nurse or carer can handle the task of dressing/undressing. This greatly reduces the risk of unintended injury to their shoulders, knees, hips or neck. In turn:
For nursing and allied health staff, Petal Back Clothing can improve occupational safety and contribute to building a safer workplace.
Regular clothing that is not designed for the healthcare setting can result in a loss of dignity and risk of injury to the wearer.
Petal Back clothing simplifies the task of dressing and undressing, as it is gentler on the person needing assistance:
The thoughtful designs make nightwear, singlets, tops and pants easy to remove and change, reducing the likelihood of resistance from the wearer.
People with dementia or Alzheimer’s may undress themselves unintentionally or at inappropriate times. To reduce this risk, we created all-in-one jumpsuits.
These suits – also known as Sundowner suits, anti-strip one-piece suits/onesies, dignity suits or Alzheimer jumpsuits – are easy to use.
Down the back is a long zip, with tape and a button across the zip to prevent the wearer from easily removing the garment.
Created for comfort, they come in soft knit fabric for in bed or can be layered with the wearer’s own daywear.
For information on safe patient handling, please refer to:
“Initially the nurses were sceptical that [Petal Back] would be any better ... But I now know that if the nurses had their way, all residents with difficulties dressing would be wearing your clothing.”
"...the nurses are really happy as well because the amount of pain is minimal now, so the dressing process is no longer a nightmare for mum or the nurses. Thank you for making her life just a little bit easier at this time.”
“I'm always being told they are extremely soft and comfortable by my Dad, but also [staff] say how easy it is to dress him now without hurting him like it was with the "normal" shirts.”
