Choosing The Right Wheelchair Seat Cushion After Your Accident

If you have had something happen an now need to choose a wheelchair seat cushion you are first going to want to consult with your Doctor as to what to do. I can outline some of the basic common features of wheelchair seat cushions so that you can be educated before you speak with your Doctor, but ultimately the final choice should be something you do in consultation with them.

Basic Common Features Of Wheelchair Seat Cushions

The first thing you need to decide on is what type of material you want for your wheelchair seat cushion. This is regardless of what kind of wheelchair cushion cover you decide to go with, as most will be able to go on any type of wheelchair seat cushion. There are two types of wheelchair seat cushions, foam and air. There area advantages and disadvantages of each kind.

Foam cushion adjust and stay adjusted for longer then air cushions. This is a great feature from a comfort level, as the seat will literally conform to your body type. This type of seating is very well suited to people who are more active as the chair will adjust and move on the fly to different body positions, yet still maintain the same level of support. The bad thing with cushions is once they are broken in the can sometimes restrict blood flow and have a higher incidence of sores and other skin problems.

Air cushions also adjust to your body, but do not shape into form when you sit in them. This means that for the most part they are not as comfortable as foam wheelchair seat cushions. For what they lack in comfort air seats make up for in support. They do a great job of increasing the blood flow to the legs and hips and are very good for people who are extremely restricted in their movements. They provide a lot more support than a foam seat cushion and are the perfect choice for the person who needs support and blood flow.

In addition to the material, you also need to consider the thickness of the wheelchair seat cushion. A thickness of about 2 inches is perfect for people who are on the go and moving around quite a bit. If your movement is more restrictive, look for seats with around 4 inches of padding. There are also hybrid thickness seats which can provide you with the best of both types if you are somewhere in between.