Foam Wheelchair Cushion / Memory Foam Cushion for Wheelchair

Why Foam Cushions Are Important

Foam wheelchair cushions are much softer than other cushions. They’re designed to provide extra skin protection to users who are in their wheelchairs for prolonged periods of time, or all day. With that in mind, having the right cushion is important, and while the material is consequential, so is having the proper style and type of foam seat cushion for a wheelchair. Some different styles of foam pressure cushions that can be found in our inventory are:

• Basic Flat Cushions: Flat cushions are often just as the description says – a flat cushion with a basic square (or nearly square) shape. These cushions represent some of the most popular cushion styles, as many people use them for comfort, positioning, and skin protection.
• Wheelchair Pads: Wheelchair pads are also often flat cushions; however, some of them may have advanced features, such as a gel lining on top of the foam. They are generally higher priced than regular basic flat cushions, but part of this is due to the silicone gel, and the extra level of stability and breakdown of the various materials (including the covers). Memory foam wheelchair pads are also designed to be more pliable, and the material costs not much more than basic foam.
• Back Cushions: Back cushions come in many different styles as well, but the majority of them use a foam material for their primary cushioning. Some back wedges are made entirely out of memory foam, and others are comprised of a harder type of foam.
• Coccyx Cushions: Coccyx cushions are designed to be placed under the user’s buttocks and legs, providing ultimate positioning and increased comfort for those who may have skin problems. The middle-groin section is cut out on these to help provide a little bit more breathing room. Those with conditions requiring more room or cushioning in these areas will benefit from such models.
• Ring Cushions: Ring cushions are primarily put under a user for posterior support and relief. They are often made with the users in mind, and offer pressure relief to help aid users who are subject to posterior bedsores. They may be used with or without other seat cushions.
• Seat Wedges: Seat wedges are a special kind of cushion. They come, of course, in a wedge shape and are meant to help aid in seat positioning and posture correction mostly. While they are used in conjunction often with back cushions, these wheelchair foam seat cushions are also used as standalones in some cases.

Foam Wheelchair Cushions Have Multiple Material Types

When most people think of foam, soft and pliable cushions automatically come to mind. However, there are actually more than one type of foam that are used frequently in medical foam cushions. Foam is a very versatile material, and thus, the density, thickness, and firmness can actually vary greatly depending on what type of cushion a user gets.

Regular Foam

This is the most popular form of foam pressure cushions on the market. It is made with a variety of thicknesses, densities and stiffness. The denser it is, the stiffer it can be.

Memory Foam

This type of foam is considered a special type of foam. Memory foam pressure relief cushions are great at adding skin relief as well as positioning stability. It contours to a user’s body in order to provide more relief and comfort.

Foam that Doesn’t Deform

This non-deforming foam doesn’t become compressed at all, even over time. It is primarily used as a base on most cushions because it can act as a “foam board” in many applications. This type of foam is generally treated and hardened in order to achieve this ability. Therefore, while it may be used as a base, it is generally not the uppermost layer of cushion and is also frequently used in bonded foam applications.

Some Foam is Bonded

Bonded foam is often used when two different types of foam (such as regular foam and memory foam) are glued together to provide additional support or stability, along with comfort. These bonded foams are frequently used in memory foam wheelchair seat cushions that have a harder, non-deforming base (such as back cushions) as well.

Important Tips to Keep Foam Wheelchair Cushions in Shape

Maintaining a foam or memory foam cushion can be quite difficult if a waterproof protective cover isn’t added to it. It is highly recommended that all wheelchair cushions be covered, because when a user has to use one (especially for long periods of time), moisture can collect in them, and occasional incontinence accidents can occur. For these reasons, many wheelchair pads have special covers that go around the cushion to add waterproofing or moisture guards to them.

When the foam gets wet, the material can deteriorate and become damaged. Constantly getting a foam pad wet and “air-drying” it can make it more susceptible to tearing and, in turn, cause it to not be able to offer the level of support that it previously provided. When the need to clean the foam arises, depending on the type of foam, a gentle wash or a hand wash can greatly help to get them clean. The cushion may then be washed in the dryer under a low or medium heat setting (although never on high heat). This is also primarily meant for memory foam or basic foam cushions.

Non-deforming foam requires a different level of care. Since it isn’t meant to get wet in the first place, one may simply wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe or use disinfectant spray on the cushion as long as moisture can’t be trapped under the seat cover. Don’t overspray them, but apply just enough to let the disinfectant get into the pores and then air dry. 

Here at AvaCare Medical, we take pride in being able to provide premiere foam wheelchair cushions, and we want you to be fully informed when choosing one. Reach out for help with your order, for questions or concerns, or even to give us some feedback! Simply give us a call at 1(877) 813-7799 or email today.