on movement, or when they are unaware of the need to move about in bed.
Many individuals receiving palliative care pre fer a single position for comfort, and turning and positioning might only serve to increase pain and discomfort (Alvarez et al, 2002; Langemo, 2006). When an individual is actively dying, interven tions to prevent and/or treat a pressure ulcer are often superseded by the need to promote comfort by minimising turning and repositioning and allowing the individual to determine frequency of turning and choice of position (Langemo, 2006). This should not, however, lead to poor care, as infrequent repositioning due to inadequate staff ing can contribute to pressure ulcer formation and reduced healing rates in terminally ill indi viduals (Kayser-Jones et al, 2008).