By Ziggi Landsman
Trying to decide on a new cushion lends itself well to confusion and anxiety. There are a large number of cushions being offered up in every conceivable shape, size, and form. While it’s impossible to answer the age-old question of which cushion is the best, it’s possible, at least, to set you on a path to finding a better one.
Before deciding on which cushion to lay your hard-earned dollars and your butt down on, you should familiarize yourself with some of the products that are available. Get on the Internet and browse the cushion manufacturers’ pages. Stick with manufacturers rather than retailers. Their information is better-just ignore the hype. To find them, visit the wheelchair cushion manufacturers listing (www.usatechguide.org/techguide.php) or the wheelchair cushion review section (www.usatechguide.org/cushion_reviews.php) on United Spinal’s Techguide. Take note of the different materials the cushions are made of, the different shapes and contours, and cushion weight and types of covers. Start to formulate some thoughts on which types might work for you.
Next, start thinking about some of those special needs you may have. Do you have limited use of your arms? Stay away from heavy cushions. How much maintenance are you willing and able to deal with? Some cushions need to be pumped up with air, others need to be pounded into shape regularly, while some are just sit and go. Is incontinence a problem? Make sure an incontinence cushion cover is available, that the cushion and cover are washable, and that the cover is easy to change.
If possible talk to other cushion users. Find out what they like and dislike about their cushions, how they hold up to daily use and how easy they are to live with. Once you finish all of your homework, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step. If you have complex or changing needs, or if you are unfortunate enough to be considered at high risk for developing a pressure sore, you may want to try to locate a facility in your area that has a seating clinic or a seating and mobility clinic. The clinicians should have experience in your particular type of disability.
Prior to making an appointment, ask if the clinic has pressure mapping equipment (www.pressuremapping.com/). Pressure mapping makes it possible for you to see a visualization of the pressure between you and your cushion. It’s really great! You can try different cushions and see how they handle pressure. You can move around on the cushions and see where the pressure goes. You can also do your pressure lifts and shifts and see if they really eliminate pressure. It’s a great tool and a super learning experience.
Seating is more than getting something soft under your butt. It’s also about your posture and how you are positioned in the chair. Proper positioning while in a wheelchair works for you. You feel and look better, and you’ll also be able to function better. Roll in front of a mirror and decide what you don’t like about your posture. Is your trunk leaning to one side? Is one hip lower than the other? Are your legs too far apart or too close together? Do you tend to slouch while sitting?
These are the types of things that you should discuss at the clinic. Write your thoughts down; make some notes about what you do and do not like about your present cushion along with information on any pressure sores you have or have had. Take your notes with you and read or give them to the staff there. The notes will help them to help you. Make sure you get answers and explanations. Ask, ask, ask!
• Why was this specific cushion selected for you?
• How do you maintain and manage it?
• Worn-out cushions are butt killers: How long will the cushion last?
Take your cushion and seating needs seriously. Remember, your cushion is connected to your butt!
Ziggi Landsman is creator and manager of USATechGuide.org and the blog, Wheelchair Diffusion, from which this column was adapted.
