Follow
Share

Posterior support.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
I again recommend the Wondergel products - they really are superior to the egg crate and foam cushions, probably almost as good as the air-shifting pads they use on beds, but because of the need for electricity, those may not be as good on wheelchairs.

Wondergel has several products, some thicker, some less, made with a gel that has flexibility, and filled with air pockets throughout.

No matter what product, it's good to change them a couple of times during the day - same effect as making sure you turn a body in bed, when the person cannot turn themselves. Changing the seat pad shifts pressure points.

And one thing to watch with the Wondergel products is the edges - the ones with very square edges, can create a ridge that irritates at that point, where others have more rounded edges, but those ones (the thicker pads) are in covers, and not as gently soft. Use several products, including wondergel, and rotate them, watching with each change, to guard against any one spot of pressure, like an edge - or even bunched sheet - over time, any bumps can add a pressure spot.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

No matter how good of a product you may use for someone in a wheelchair, at some point they're going to have some sort of discomfort or pain sooner or later. From experience with wheelchairs since I do use one due to low back arthritis, I can honestly say that the best remedy is just to get out of it and set it alternates seating
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

You should ask the doctor for an evaluation from a physical therapist. In addition to cushioning the buttocks, the lumbar will need support for preventing the lower back nerves from compressing. The patient will also need exercises to strengthen his core to prevent slouching, which will compress his spine, leading to lower back pain. To get you started, you can search Amazon for lumbar support cushions. I know for sure the bottom cushion is covered by insurance with proper documentation, but I don't remember if the lumbar cushion is.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Another good resource is an Occupational Therapist. In my experience, the Occupational Therapist performs the wheelchair "fitting" and I think they would have the broadest experience with wheelchair accessories such as seat cushions. I'm not sure, but you might have to ask around to find an OT who does wheelchair fittings. I would guess it's a specialty within OT.

Consider how much you anticipate the person will sit in the wheelchair. If they will be in the chair all day, you should buy the best one you can afford.

As others have said, incontinence can be an issue. My Dad's cushion wasn't waterproof (water resistant) and sure enough, it began to smell after repeated accidents with leaky Depends. I guess some urine got in the foam, probably seeped in through the zipper. Yuk.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

There are a lot of products out there - egg crate foam seating products, etc. Check with a durable medical equipment store in your town - selling supplies to the public - to see if they have suggestions.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

There are Temper-Pedic material made cushions that fit wheelchair seats perfectly. When you go into a medical supply store make sure you take the wheelchair as some wheelchairs seat areas are different dimentions. The cushions also come in different thicknesses so have them test it first.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Agree with the above posters. There are a ton of different types of wheelchair cushions out there for all different needs. If the person is mostly wheelchair bound it might be a good idea to go to a wheelchair clinic or a dealer that has the ability to do pressure mapping which helps them prescribe the best cushion.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

You can get an "eggcrate" type of material that will cushion the bottom. Also one should move out of the wheelchair often if at all possible.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I think Roho cushions are good. They r expensive. They are made with pockets that you fill with air to your comfort level. Comes with a pump.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Air has the least pressure of all materials, so if you can get one with air as a component, (Roho brand) this is best, never get anything that is "cut out" at buttocks, etc. this just puts the weight somewhere else. Gel is the next least, and foam is the worst and foam also allow for heat build up. Agree you can look on amazon etc for these. A Dr script means nothing as Medicare does not pay for these. Roho makes a cushion with air and foam components that I have found works very well. Also doing pressure relief where some one gets off their bottom, either by changing positions as much as possible, or standing, etc.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter