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HipSaver Benefits
Benefits delivered by the HipSaver
Effectiveness of external hip protectors has been researched and debated for sometime now. Opinions about their effectiveness vary. However, many people accept that hip protectors can reduce the risks of fall related hip injuries. User acceptability and long term compliance are factors playing crucial roles in the ultimate success of the hip protectors as an intervention class. Hip protectors are often referred to as 'padded pants'.
Here, we introduce validated soft hip protector HipSaver, which offers different features, benefits and qualities, when compared to other types of hip protectors.
HipSaver Patient LeafletHipSaver hip protector was launched by Ed Goodwin, President of the HipSaver Company Inc based in Boston, MA, USA in 1994.
Ed Goodwin is a consumer products designer and engineer trained in developing consumer-friendly goods. Ed Goowin’s background and his beliefs are reflected and very evident in the HipSaver products.
Ed Goodwin has always believed that new age materials should be used to create an effective soft protector that is easy to wear, comfortable and truly user-friendly in all its parameters and aspects. He believed that this would motivate users to accept the garments and comply with wearing them. Lack of motivation to wear and/or to administer hip protectors present a real stumbling block to their long term effectiveness in hip fracture prevention. Comfortability, appearance and compatibility with the elderly people's needs as well as with the needs of the carers is very important. It is equally important as the effective force attenuation capability of the hip protector. In line with Ed Goodwin’s vision and conviction, HipSaver offers a full range of garment styles to meet different needs and a full range of sizes for a proper and comfortable fit.
HipSaver is a user-friendly effective soft hip protector. HipSaver is now routinely and successfully used in thousands of nursing and residential homes and hospitals worldwide. The acceptance of HipSaver is rapidly growing. Countries where HipSaver soft hip protectors are widely used include United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Israel, Czech Republic, Sweden and Germany.
HipSaver soft hip protector utilizes protective effects of the innovative dual action mechanism airPads.
Force generated during a fall can lead to severe hip injuries, especially in the frail elderly people with compromised bone strength, low muscle mass and sparse adipose tissue layer. The sewn in HipSaver airPads that cover the exposed and vulnerable trochanteric areas absorb the fall generated energy and disperse it over a wide area of muscles and tissues, thus reducing the direct force exerted on the bony trochanter.
HipSaver Hip Protector References
- Hip Pads: Effective fracture prevention. George Gross, Tsan-Hui Chen, Carolyn Flaherty. (2000). Advance for Physical Therapists. 11(22). 45-46.
- Hip Protector Compliance: A 13-Months Study on Factors and Cost in a Long-Term Care Facility. Jeffrey B. Burl, James Centola, Alice Bonner, Colleen Burque. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA), 2003: 4 (5): 245-250.
- Prevention of fall-induced hip fractures: Usability evaluation of hip protectors - K.R. Dunn, C.L. Brace, T. Masud, R.A. Haslam, R.O. Morris. Contemporary Ergonomics 2005 (edited by P.D. Bust and P.T. MaCabe).Taylor and Francis, London. Ergonomics Society Conference, Hatfield, 6-8 April 2005, pp 464-468. ISBN 0415374480.
- RHINO Hip Protector Project – a 12 Months Hip Protector Study. Christine Elliott, Dudley,West Midlands. July 2003 - June 2004.
- South West Kent PCT Hip Protector Trial- Sue Betts. 2005.
- Hip Protector Project- in the Medway and Swale. Catherine Steinmann. 2007.
- High Efficacy for Hip Protectors in the Prevention of Hip Fractures Among Elderly People With Dementia. Doron Garfinkel MD, Zorian Radomislsky MD, Samira Jamal RN, Joshua Ben-Israel MD. Journal of the American Medical Directors (JAMDA), 2008: 9 (5); 313-318.
HipSaver Hip Protector – Description
HipSaver is the only validated soft hip protector. HipSaver products are biomechanically effective and clinically proven.
HipSaver is entirely different from the hard shell protectors. Its protective soft pads are NOT made from hard padded plastic. HipSaver's protective pads are made from high tech open cell visco-elastic foam that is permanently encapsulated by high frequency bonding in a waterproof and airtight urethane pouch.
The energy generated during the fall is firstly absorbed by the foam and this causes the displacement of the air trapped within the open cells constituting the bulk of the foam. The misplaced air subsequently travels within the airtight pouch and inflates it in a similar way to an airbag used by the automotive manufacturers for the protection of drivers in traffic collisions. However, the HipSaver airPad does NOT explode or bursts as many of the airbags do upon the collision – it reinstates itself to its original status immediately after the fall and is ready to combat the forces of subsequent falling. The temporary inflation of the airPad shunts the remaining force widely away from the trochanter to the surrounding soft tissues and muscles.
HipSaver protective pad works like an airbag and it feels like an air cushion. The airPads mould themselves into the bony areas of the trochanters, serving as external fatty tissue replacements. When worn at night, when many falls occur, the airPads provide not only a protection against the forces of falling, but offer an added benefit of reducing discomfort caused by a friction between bony areas of the hips and bedding surfaces. Many users experience improved sleep and better overall comfort due to cushioning effects of the HipSaver airPads.
HipSaver airPads are permanently sewn into the HipSaver garments for good positioning, when dressing and worn and for convenience during laundry.
"When used in institutions, it is recommended that the hip protector shields are sewn into the underwear to reduce staff effort and time."
- Ian D. Cameron, Assoc. Professor of Rehabilitation
- Medicine, University of Sidney, Australia
- British Medical Journal 16 February 2002
HipSaver hip protectors are comfortable to wear during the day and at night to sleep in!
HipSaver products have been developed with the users and their carers in mind. Comprehensive designs that meet different needs of the elderly patients, careful selection of fabrics, tapered and unobtrusive non-bulky protective pads, variety of available styles and a wealth of sizes for comfort, fit and easy dressing all contribute to the patients' and the carers' acceptance and long term motivation to wear – the two most crucial factors necessary to the effectiveness of hip protectors.
HipSaver is available in several styles that cater for the different problems of the elderly people such as as incontinence, compromised physical dexterity, poor grip strength or advancing forgetfulness and dementia. Styles of HipSaver undergarments recommended for people with continence problems are made in a light beige (flesh) colour that has been shown to be most resistant to urine staining and discolouration through repeated high temperature washing.
To cater for people. who have problems pulling underwear on, handles are fitted on the garments by request and free of charge.
Benefits offered by HipSaver
• Effective protection from fall related hip injuries
• Excellent 24-hour fit and comfort
• Easy dressing and changing
• Compatibility with the health conditions and the needs of the elderly people
• Easy care high temperature “wash and dry” garments
• HipSavers are designed to withstand repeated boil wash laundry (95 degrees C equal to 203 degrees F) and tumble drying at very high heat as required by the laundry regulations applicable in all institutional settings
• Low incidence of staining and discoloration
• Long term good aesthetic appearance
• User friendly
• Carer friendly
• High compliance
Durability Guarantee - we believe in the quality of the HipSaver products and we provide 12 months Durability Warranty against any major material and workmanship faults. We will immediately exchange any product found to be faulty for a new pair in the same size and style. Please note that this warranty does not cover damages caused by careless mistreatment of the products, disregard of care instructions and/or natural wear and tear of the garments.
Other elderly care products can be found on Care of the Elderly People page.
