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Wheelchair Cushion Types

The information presented below gives a basic description of the different levels and types of cushions available. It is very generic as there will be several manufacturer's making similar products in each category and all will have subtle differences.

Foam Wheelchair Cushions

Foam wheelchair cushions can cost anywhere from $25.00 to $600.00 and depending on the quality of the materials they are made out of and how they are designed can work for a variety of different users with different needs. The lower end of the price scale will give low quality foams and covers that will need to be replaced fairly regularly where the higher end of the scale for price will get you high quality "memory" foams, waterproof, breathable, washable covers and contoured surfaces that will provide the highest amount of pressure relief and last for many years.

Foam cushions are the most user friendly of the cushions because they are fairly lightweight, and do not require any maintenance (other than cleaning) or set up by the user.

Cushion Foams

Low quality foam cushions

The really low cost cushions (less than $75.00) use a low end regular foam that is often what is called open celled foam. Open celled foam is like a sponge that will absorb an awful lot of water and will take an awful long time to dry should it become wet. This is obviously not a good thing for anyone who is incontinent or may be in situations where the cushion may become wet (example: spillage, wet weather etc.).

The low cost foams, while shaping itself to the weight exerted on it, tends to quickly return to its original shape once the weight is removed. Because the foam tries to constantly return to its normal shape, it is actually exerting pressure on the buttocks of the user sitting on it which can lead to skin problems.

Another characteristic of the lower cost foams is they tend to be low in density. Low density foam wheelchair cushions lack the density to fully support the person sitting on them and can allow the user to sink through the cushion to the hard surface beneath. This sinking through the wheelchair cushion is referred to as "bottoming out" by the dealers, manufacturers and therapists. Another issue with low density cushions is they don't last very long because the foam will break down fairly quickly when used regularly, and need replacing fairly often.

Mid-quality foam cushions

Mid-quality foam wheelchair cushions ($75.00 - $200.00) are usually a bit higher density foams than the lower quality foams preventing bottoming out, extending cushion life and providing a stable surface to sit on.

The mid-quality wheelchair cushions will either be made of closed cell foam or have a coating on open celled foam to prevent moisture from being absorbed into the cushion. Waterproof covers will often be available as options for this class of cushion.

Another feature of the mid-quality foam wheelchair cushions id they tend to have a little contouring to help promote proper posture and sitting alignment in the user.

High quality foam cushions

High quality foam wheelchair cushions ($200.00 plus) are usually made from a combination of foams that are high in density, closed cell, waterproof, contoured and have an inner and outer cover that can be removed for washing.

The foam used in these higher quality wheelchair cushions is usually what is called memory foam. Memory foam, once compressed by the weight of the user sitting on them, tend to remember the shape of the user and not try to return to it's original shape. So effectively the foam, while moulded to the user's shape, is not pushing back against the buttocks creating pressure that can damage the skin.

Gel Wheelchair Cushions

Gel cushions come in two distinct types. One is a viscous gel that flows similar to a thick grease and is encased in a bladder which allows the gel to flow without leaking out. The viscous gel flows easily to mould itself to the user's bottom. This viscous gel type does eventually allow to user to sink down through it eventually and requires the user, or a caregiver, to remove the gel pad occasionally and knead it into a uniform thickness.

The other type of gel cushion is a more solid material and has the consistency of a stiff Jell-O. This type of gel will mould to the user by allowing the user to sink into it but not actually flow. It comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses for different purposes but is very heavy as compared to other types of wheelchair cushions.

Regardless of the type of gel the cushion is made of the cushion will have a moulded base made of some type of foam to give the cushion some contouring and stability. These bases can often be trimmed to give extra pressure relief for areas where pressure is of extra concern such as areas where pressure sores have occurred in the past.

Air Wheelchair Cushions

Air cushions for wheelchairs are basically inflated balloons made of a rubber like material that the user sits on and sinks into. The air cushions provide the best pressure relief in my opinion as long as there are set up properly and inflated correctly.

An under-inflated or over-inflated air cushion can be worse than a cheap foam cushion for pressure relief. The air wheelchair cushion pressure needs to be checked every day for pressure and this is normally done by inserting one's hand under the buttocks when seated and making sure there is about an inch of space between the lowest part of the user's bottom and the hard seat of the wheelchair.

Specialty Cushions

Specialty cushions can be made of a variety and combinations of materials to provide what the manufactures hope will be a solution to specific situations where pressure relief may be needed but mainstream cushions don't address.

The two specialty cushions pictured above are designed to fit on toilet or commode seats and prevent provide pressure relief.

Related Sites:

| AccessRamps.ca | Ceilinglift.ca | Liftchairs.ca | Patientlift.ca | Porchlift.ca | Scooterlifts.ca | Stairlift.ca | VanRamp.ca | Wheelchair.ca |

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