A dressing for guarding against the development of pressure ulcers has a recipient side and an environmental side. The dressing comprises a moisture barrier layer whose components include a sacral member, a left gluteal member and a right gluteal member. Each gluteal member has a base and an extension which extends longitudinally inferiorly further than the inferior edge of the sacral member by a dimension which is approximately no less than the longitudinal length of the sacral member. The dressing also includes a connective element on the recipient side of the dressing. The connective element is arranged to provide a zone of occlusion. In some embodiments the dressing includes electrodes and is a component of a dressing assembly which includes an exciter for stimulating gluteal muscles.
