My mother is in a wheelchair. She sits on a wheelchair cushion designed to make sitting more comfortable. Lately, she complains of pain from sitting, even when she uses the cushion. She is in a regular wheelchair. Is there any brand of wheelchair that is more comfortable? Are there other products I can put in the wheelchair that will help?
Just a word to take care with donut cushions. The newer thinking (told to me by an OT) is they may increase risk of prolapse. They are popular though so I guess opinions will vary.
Again, if it all possible please get an evaluation from a therapist. They can assess her positioning, skin, range of motion, sitting tolerance, etc as well as giving input on a sitting schedule and other options. There is a lot to take into account to make a safe and effective recommendation.
For assisted living in my old age someday, I will need very comfortable cushions because of my very thin bottom where my pelvic sits on its seat. My bones are thin with osteopenia/osteopenia.
Is there a possibility that she gets transferred to a recliner when she does not need to be moving around? I am not aware of her general health condition. Based on my experience, she should not sit in her wheelchair for long hours. The major problem that you may have to deal with can be bed sores which are difficult to treat and are very painful.
You are just guessing at what she needs. But a therapist will be able to complete an assessment. Also, if she's lost or gained weight, or her legs have turned to one side or the other due to stiffness, these things affect the way she sits in a wheelchair. If she is just in a basic transport wheelchair, those are not individualized for a patient's needs.
If you sit in a wheelchair all day and your butt hurts even with a cushion, there are several options to improve your comfort and reduce pain:
1. Upgrade the Cushion
- Standard foam cushions may not provide enough support.
- Consider pressure-relieving cushions:
• Gel cushions (e.g., ROHO or EquaGel): Distribute pressure more evenly.
• Air cushions (e.g., ROHO High Profile): Adjustable for pressure relief and sore prevention.
• Honeycomb cushions (e.g., Purple or Supracor): Offer ventilation and shock absorption.
- Make sure the cushion is the right size for the wheelchair and your body.
2. Regular Repositioning
- Try to shift your weight every 15–30 minutes, if possible:
• Forward lean
• Side leans
• Wheelchair push-ups (if upper body strength allows)
- This helps prevent pressure buildup that causes pain and sores.
3. Seating Evaluation
- Ask your doctor about a wheelchair seating assessment.
- A seating specialist can check for:
• Improper seat size
• Misalignment or pelvic tilt
• Pressure points or posture problems
- Medi-Cal may cover this evaluation with a doctor's referral.
4. Posture Support
- Poor posture can cause pressure in painful spots.
- Consider lumbar or side supports.
- A tilt-in-space wheelchair may help, if medically necessary and covered by insurance.
5. Skin Checks
- Check your skin every day for pressure sores:
• Red spots that don’t fade
• Open or broken skin
- Report any signs of pressure sores to a nurse or doctor right away.
6. Consider Other Causes
- Tailbone (coccyx) pain may need a cushion with a cut-out area.
- If you've lost weight or muscle, you might need a new cushion style.
7. Talk to a Doctor
- If the pain doesn’t improve, talk to your doctor.
- They may prescribe a different cushion or refer you to a wound clinic or rehab specialist.
- Insurance may require a prescription for specialty cushions.
I hope this helps.
A geri chair, also known as a geriatric chair or medical recliner, is a specialized type of chair designed for individuals with limited mobility, particularly seniors.
It's essentially a comfortable, padded recliner on wheels, offering features like adjustable positions, padded seating, and additional support to enhance comfort and potentially prevent issues like bedsores.
it works great for my Mom.
It does not have to be much movement. A simple pulling her up a bit so that she is sitting upright more. Or lifting the leg rests so that her legs are more elevated.
Sitting in one position even on a comfortable cushion can cause pain.
A tilt back wheelchair can make it easier to reposition her.
Also, and this is going to sound odd...but the Hospice CNA did this for my Husband and it did make a difference.
If mom is always in the wheelchair cut the back out of some of her pants.
You can slip the legs into the legs and then bring the rest of the pants up over her and tuck what remains of the waist at her side. This eliminates excess fabric and wrinkles. the CNA did the same with several of my husbands T-shirts. Cut up the back and left the neck intact. I would pull the shirt over his head and slip his arms in but his back was free of fabric.
Anyplace there is a wrinkle in the fabric is a place for the skin to become irritated.
I do not think anyone visiting was ever aware that the pants and shirt were like that. We always had a light weight cover over his legs anyway.
There are gel cushions that are very good.
You can get them in a variety of thicknesses.
make sure that you get one that will be the right thickness so that it is still safe. (a very thick cushion might effect stability)
I really can't imagine sitting in a wheelchair all day. Is there not a way she can trasfer to a chair and use the wheelchair when needed. There are chairs where the side goes up and there is a board to help transfer.