Cushions

Cushions, What is the Difference ?

Foam Wheelchair Cushions - Foam is light and varies widely in stiffness and density. Proper stiffness, density and resilience help ensure adequate support and an effective lifespan. Foam envelops the buttocks well, but can be hot and is damaged by moisture and light, so a protective cover should be used. Wheelchair Cushion covers made from fabric that does not stretch and is fitted tight around a cushion tend to negate the compressive benefits of foam. Foam wheelchair cushions absorb impact loads well, so it can help absorb the shock of going over bumps or obstacles.

Gel Wheelchair Cushions -  These wheelchair cushions are heavier than foams and, therefore, are often used in combination with foams. These materials are good at minimizing heat and are typically encased by a protective cover so are easily cleaned. Because of their incompressible nature, viscous fluid and gel wheelchair cushions often use a contoured non-deforming foam base or a flat, compressible foam base to better enable the cushion to conform around the body. Gels and fluids absorb vibration but cannot absorb impact well. Therefore, these materials can absorb the vibrations that one might experience in a car, but not the impact one gets when bumping over a curbcut.

Air Wheelchair Cushions - Air is highly compressible and would make an excellent support surface, except for its requirement of an impermeable membrane. Therefore, the efficacy of air wheelchair cushions is directly related to the design of its container and proper inflation. Some encompass the body well while others do not. Some dissipate heat well, all can handle moisture without harm and most will absorb impact loads. Because air wheelchair cushions are adjustable, they can be inflated to meet the needs of the user, but this adjustability also means that they must be maintained properly. An improperly inflated air cushion can be either too hard or too soft, and both are potentially damaging situations. If an air wheelchair cushion is right for you, be sure to read the instructions so you inflate the cushion properly.