When buying a seat cushion for prolonged use, a user looks for much more than the comfort level. An ideal seat cushion for wheelchairs should prevent pressure sores or skin tears. They should also help in pressure management, positioning and enhanced sitting balance.
There is a variety in wheelchair cushions available in terms of material, construction, and physical characteristics. This may make it confusing when you are picking one to match your individual requirements. Thus, its gets imperative to assess individual condition, educate oneself on the types of cushions available and draw a match between these two.
How to Choose the Best Wheelchair Cushions?
User condition: This will include physical examination, postural assessment, musculoskeletal examination of head and neck, functional examination to know user reflexes, head control, etc., and neurological examination.
Where will the wheelchair be used: Options may include use at home, in a medical facility, or outdoors.
How will the wheelchair be used: This refers to the kind of activities the user is expected to perform while in the wheelchair.
What are the Different Types of Wheelchair Cushions?
Wheelchair cushions are available in varied materials, construction, sizes, shapes, densities, depths, and weight capacity. Its fit vis-a-vis the wheelchair seat size is also important. The most common cushion technologies available are:
Foam Wheelchair Cushions - Foam cushions are most popular, versatile, and economically priced. They are available in different densities, shapes, and contour options for better weight distribution. Since the foam is easy to cut, it can easily be made to fit the user’s shape. However, the downside is that foam wears out faster and does not meet advanced positioning requirements.
Gel Wheelchair Cushions – Wheelchair gel cushions are a combination of blended silicone-based gels sealed in leak-proof pouches are encased in a foam cushion. They take the pressure off the user’s spine and are thus pain relieving. Gel cushions provide optimal pressure relief and advanced seating position. However, they are heavyweight and face the risk of gel leakage.
Air or Dry Floatation Wheelchair Cushions - These have an outer shell material filled with air. The air cells are interconnected or independent. They redistribute the body weight pressure minimizing shearing and preventing tissue damage. Air or dry floatation cushion type is ideal for proper positioning and improved posture. Though they are waterproof and lightweight, they need to be constantly monitored for air levels and leakage.
Curve Wheelchair Cushion With Comfort-Tek Cover has reflective piping to promote safety and protect the wheelchair user. Its mild anti-thrust shelf promotes postural stability and helps prevent forward migration. It features a medial thigh separator that promotes postural alignment. High-density molded foam increases surface area reducing potential peak pressure areas. This wheelchair cushion has a non-skid flat bottom fabric that offers loop attachment.
Features Curve Wheelchair Cushion
High-density, molded Foam Cushion
Increases surface area
Reduces potential high-pressure areas
Reflective piping of this Wheelchair Cushion has the ability to return a large portion of light directly back to the source it came from, allowing it to be seen from up to 500 feet away in low light conditions
Skil-Care Bariatric Gel-Foam Pad Cushions provide cooling, pressure relief, and redistribution for bariatric residents. It features a surface layer of water-based gel that relieves interface pressure while cooling the skin to reduce perspiration. The high-density foam base adds both comfort and stability.
Highlights of Gel-Foam Cushion
Specially constructed to prevent bottoming-out and maximize weight distribution
Gel pockets promote better posture and sitting stability
The non-slip bottom on the outer cover provides extra safety
Double-chamber construction relieves pressure for bariatric residents
This Bariatric Cushion has a safety strap that secures the cushion to the wheelchair
The stable design promotes sitting comfort
Safety strap secures cushion to the wheelchair
Low-shear cover reduces friction - removes for easy laundering
Water-based gel relieves pressure and cools to reduce skin-damaging perspiration
Incontinent-proof vinyl covers wipe clean for easy care
The non-slip bottom on the outer cover provides extra safety
Weight capacity: 500lb
Maintenance of Bariatric Gel-Foam Cushion
The Bariatric Gel-Foam Pads cloth cover has safety straps that must be secured to the wheelchair to prevent the cushion (and possibly the user) from slipping off the wheelchair seat.
The inner vinyl cover is heat-sealed to prevent urine and other fluids from seeping into the cushion. The vinyl cover may be cleaned with a spray-type cleanser and disinfected with a non-chlorine disinfectant. The outer cloth cover may be laundered and dried at temperatures that do not exceed 180° F (82 degrees C). Do not use bleach.
The Comfort Company M2 Zero Elevation Wheelchair Cushion With Comfort-Tek Cover allows for greater freedom of movement for standard positioning issues. The Tapered leg adductors increase in width near the back of the cushion to give support to the greater trochanter. Deep lateral and medial leg contours promote postural alignment.
Coccyx relief cutout that eliminates pressure on the tailbone and spine
Non-skid bottom fabric offers hook and loop attachment
Constructed with a dual-density foam, a molded foam base, and Quadra3D Gel pack
The pressure-relieving Quadra3D gel pack reduces shear forces and heat build-up. Includes four three-dimensional compartments that evenly distribute gel under the seated surface
Feature reflective piping to promote safety and protect the wheelchair user
Reflective piping has the ability to return a large portion of light directly back to the source it came from, allowing it to be seen from up to 500 feet away in low light conditions
A new cover option adapted from leading prosthetics technology, GlideWear is designed to promote healing and reduce the risk of Pressure Injury through the use of the Shear Reduction Zone.
Features of GlideWear of Comfort Company Wheelchair Cushion
Reduction of shear forces to increase skin protection
100% breathability for microclimate control
Improved comfort from reduced friction
M2 Wheelchair Cushion Storage
The cushion should be stored as an assembly. Do not store in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Only store in a clean and dry place at room temperature.
Do not allow exposure cushion to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. This could age the cushion more rapidly and decrease its effectiveness.
Prolonged exposure of foam components to any type of light causes discoloration. The foam is still usable if this happens; discoloration is purely cosmetic.
Do not store where there is a risk of open flame or spark
Comfort-Tek Cover Washing Instructions
When possible, hand wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and air dry (let dry completely before use)
Or machine wash using common laundry detergent and tumble dry low
Do not steam clean or autoclave
Do not iron
4. ROHO Nexus Spirit Cushion
ROHO Nexus Spirit Cushion is a wheelchair support surface with a contoured foam base, combined with a dry floatation air-filled, adjustable, cellular design insert, designed to conform to an individual’s seated shape in the pelvic loading area. The contoured foam base is designed to allow for increased stability for transfers and provides exceptional positioning of the pelvis and lower extremities.
Features of ROHO Nexus Spirit Cushion
Provides protection to the ischia, sacrum, and coccyx area through the placement of a dry floatation support pad
Provides adjustable, low friction, or low shear environment that can protect the user against wounds
Constructed of flame-resistant neoprene rubber support pad and flame-resistant polyurethane seating foam
Adjustable to shape and weight in the pelvic loading area
Adjustable to changes in individuals position over time in the pelvic loading area
Hydrostatic distribution of load in the pelvic loading area
Provides up to approximately 1.75" of immersion
Weight limit: Unlimited
Adds little weight to the entire mobility system
Cushion insert can be easily cleaned and disinfected
Cover is machine washable and can be disinfected, foam base may be wiped with a damp cloth
Neoprene cushion insert can be patched or repaired to extend the use
Contoured foam base and cushion insert are fluid resistant
Repairable: Neoprene rubber support pad can be patched to extend use or sent to ROHO for any necessary repair
Elements Gel Two Inches Wheelchair Cushion with Comfort-Tek Cover comes standard with a non-skid bottom and hook and loop connection. The QuadraGel pack regulates body temperature and redistributes pressure for comfort.
Benefits of Elements Gel Wheelchair Cushion
Distributes pressure evenly
Designed with a non-skid bottom
Includes hook and look connections
Insertable Quadragel Pack and Viscool foam keeps the body cool
Features Elements Gel Wheelchair Cushion with Comfort-Tek Cover
Elements Gel Two Inches Wheelchair Cushion with Comfort-Tek Cover features single-layer foam construction that contours to the user’s body, reducing high-pressure areas
Non-skid flat bottom
Comfort-Tek selected for incontinence protection & an easily cleaned surface
Elements Gel Cushion Cover Washing Instructions
All Comfort Company covers should be washed on a cold or warm cycle using any common laundry detergents. Once the cover has been washed, please hang the dry damp cover.
If the cover cannot be removed: Spray and wipe with any household or commercial disinfectant, cleaner, or anti-bacterial spray. It is recommended that any cleaners or disinfectants be wiped away with a water-only damp cloth afterward.
Where to buy the Best Wheelchair Cushions online?
At Health Products For You, we have an extensive range of premium and best wheelchair cushions that provide exceptional comfort while using wheelchairs. HPFY offers the best of wheelchair cushions from the best manufacturers and brands at competitive prices and amazing discounts.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
Swati Chadha
Swati Chadha has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2017. A stay-at-home mom of two wonderful children, her professional experience has been in the social development sector with a focus on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. She considers ...
Resistance exercise bands come in a number of colors and it’s not just for decoration. Many people use these bands however, they do not have the knowledge of the colors and the purpose with which they are designed.
A syringe is a pump consisting of a snugly fit piston(or plunger) within a calibrated glass or plastic cylinder called a barrel.The syringe is equipped with a hypodermic needle, nozzle, or tubing that helps direct the flow of medication.
Breathing disorders, such as COPD or asthma, can be a major detriment when it comes to quality-of-life issues.Treating these breathing ailments with medications is the main course of treatment.Being able to deliver aerosol medication directly into the lungs in an expedited fashion is the best way to manage these lung disorders. The use of a nebulizer for aerosol medications allows for the efficient and easy delivery of these medications.
An enema is used for many reasons.Just as there are many reasons, there are different types of enemas, each of which contains different ingredients and works differently in the body. While some may choose an enema to soften stool or for routine colon cleansing, the reason for using an enema may have more of a medical necessity.
Cervical traction is a technique applied to the cervical region of the body to help alleviate neck pain, discomfort, and other physical conditions related to the cervical region.Cervical traction works by stressing the neck, pulling, and pushing, thus reducing the pressure on the spine, the neck, and the upper torso.Excessive stress on the neck, spine, and upper region, due to a wide range of conditions or injuries can cause severe pain and can lead to other complications.Cervical traction devices help alleviates these conditions thus offering overall body rehabilitation and treatment options.
