The cushions used in wheelchairs are made from wide range of materials. Selecting the perfect wheelchair relief cushions depends upon an individual’s daily activities, physical needs and also the transportation issues. There are certain important factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing your ideal wheelchair cushion.
- The wheelchair cushions that you opt should provide you great pressure relief. Handicapped people or people with knee problems are confined in the wheelchair. They are in more danger of pressure ulcers because of their limited movement. Wheelchair relief cushions need to distribute the body’s weight evenly on the surface. Likewise, it can redistribute the pressure away. The materials used in the cushions should determine this characteristic. Thus, the material should be stable and should also have custom contoured foam.
- Wheelchair relief cushions of contoured foam are unpleasant for pelvic abnormalities.
- The foam cushions provide much better relief from pressure as it can insulate the heat properly. The soft foams also provide excellent pressure relief. On the other hand, the harder foams provide better stability and support.
- The flotation cushions such as of gel, air or water can also provide good pressure. This is perfect for the people with the postural or pelvic abnormalities. These cushions are regularly checked in order to make sure that these are properly inflated. The air cushions are mainly for long-term use. The individuals confined to a wheelchair can greatly benefit if they use this cushion. These air cushions are not very expensive. However, the air cushions increase one’s quality of life. Some of the common features of air cushions are cell reduction and multiple zones for ultimate relief and comfort. The multiple zones allow various levels of pressure to contour the body while the cell reduction allows better alignment and relief of the spine.
- A solid base can cause pressure problems because it can’t insulate the heat evenly on a surface. This supports the pelvis quite extensively. But when you are looking for reliability and stability, then you can go for a good solid base.
- Depending on the design and the style of the cushion that’s chosen, there are several other options that you need to consider. These are flat cushions, contoured, coccyx relief, abductor, wedge, no-slip, and solid base. Most options are available with many cushions. However, a custom relief cushion is required to match the needs of the consumers.
- The flat cushions are very common. These are flat on the bottom and on the top. The contoured cushions have slightly rounded bottom from the left to the right. This allows the cushion to sit on the sling seat of a wheelchair. The coccyx relief cushions have a definite cutout that ranges in size where the coccyx rests. The wedge cushions are commonly used to keep the user from sliding forward of the chair. The abductor cushions are mainly sewn in abduction pad. The abductor prevents the user from sliding forward. Another option that you can consider is the use of a no-slip base. There are several cushions which have several ties at the back. However, a no-slip base at the bottom of the cushion prevents it from sliding and it could also be easily transferred to another location.
- The materials used in making wheelchair relief cushions are important factors that affect the way our body is positioned and the functions of the body in a seated posture. So, the present condition and requirement of person in the wheelchair should be considered before selecting the suitable cushion. You can get the latest details online on wheelchair relief cushions and lifts according to your options that fulfill your requirements.
Get the best Wheelchair pressure relief cushions that provide comfort for people seated in vehicles, home, office and wheelchairs for long durations of time.
