Wheelchair Cushions
Filed under Wheelchair
A wheelchair cushion is the most important accessory of a wheelchair but is often the most overlooked. It is the cushion support that gives a person a sense of comfort and the confidence to travel long distances. Wheelchair cushions are made to provide quality support to their users who spend extended amounts of time in a sitting position. They are designed to assist a person’s overall body posture, and should match a person’s body figure. No one should ever feel uncomfortable because of a poorly made cushion to where it bottoms out or they are slipping on the cushion cover.
Choosing a Seat Cushion
There are many factors that are used to determine the best wheelchair cushion for a particular individual. Their physical needs, transportations needs, how they handle a wheelchair and daily activities all should play a role in choosing an adequate cushion. The best seating solution for a physically active individual will differ from someone who is limited with their physical movement. When looking for the best cushion it needs to be measured correctly in width, depth, and height to insure the weight is properly distributed.
Wheelchair Cushions Types
The most common wheelchair cushions are made of these three materials, foam, gel and air. Foam cushions are the best shock absorbers for bumpy surfaces but makes for a hot seat.
Gel cushions can minimize heat well and absorbs minor vibration but not for bumpy or impact surfaces. Air cushions conforms to the user but must be maintained properly for the most efficient use. Too much or too little air can make the wheelchair cushion user feel uncomfortable and be a safety issue.
Enhancing stability and pelvic positioning, maintaining a healthy body temperature, and helping to reduce unwanted pressure are just some benefits of wheelchair cushions that play a huge role to its user. In addition to these benefits you also want to look for features such as, washable non slip cushion or cover, easily transferred and transported cushions, cushions that molds to body shapes, and that very durable. Using the correct wheelchair cushions can lessen or prevent poor postural stability, dangerous pressure sores, and minimal physical movement.
Medicare will reimburse for wheelchair cushions as long as it is deemed medically necessary. For most wheelchair users, if their wheelchair qualified for Medicare, their cushions will also qualify. If you do not have insurance, prices for cushions can range from $50 to $300 for the higher end materials and the ones fully customized for the wheelchair.
Tags: Air wheelchair cushions, Foam wheelchair cushions, Gel wheelchair cushions
