Advice on Cushion Seating

Black Jade, BSN, RN · May 24, 2011

I don't know where you live, but you can check into any pharmacies such as CVS. They carry things like canes, walkers, etc...

SkiMama · May 24, 2011

Are you taking his W/C, which is surely already fitted with a cushion? If not, talk to OT/PT or MD at his LTC. They will lend you something (ours would), or point you in the right direction.

LouisVRN, RN · May 24, 2011

See if his facility has a wound care specialist? I know we have air cushions at the hospital and have seen pts go home with them.

my4helpers · May 24, 2011

The LTC facility that he is at does not have anything and that is one reason why he does not get up that much. His wheel chair just has a thin pad in it and that's all. The family has told them over and over and still nothing is done. I just wish he could buy his own wheel chair, but can't.

ckh23, BSN, RN · May 24, 2011

How about a donut cushion? Or an ultra thick foam one?

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 24, 2011

Have moved into Rehab nursing some of the nurses in here have lots of advice and experience with dealing with aids and appliances or may be able to point you in the right direction

my4helpers · May 24, 2011

Thanks madwife!

I did a search for quadriplegic products and I came up with a foam cushion pad that fits the entire chair. Anyone have any resident's or patient's use these? He doesn't like the donut cushions.

Another thing, for those of you who do take care of quadriplegics, is there any devices that may be able to help him in any way that my family is not away of? For example, tomorrow he is getting a TV installed where he is able to change the channels with his head. He is so excited! :) One of the nurses told a family member that there may be other devices to help him in other ways. Maybe something to help him talk? He has a speaking valve that he wears 24/7 and we can hear what he says if we listen hard, but with the noises in his room such as the air condition and his oxygen tank, it's kind of noisy. Any other suggestions?

blackberry, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

For our rehab patients, the OT's have a supply of different foam and gel cushions that fit the entire seat.

Make sure the wheelchair supports his head and neck. Make sure his arms are positioned on soft cushions or pillows.

OTconsideringBSN · May 28, 2011

Hi, I'm an OT in a subacute/LTC setting, and first of all am really surprised that the place he is at does not have cushions. Most places will order new cushions if they have little to no supply. In all of my jobs, we were told that if the only reason a resident is not getting out of bed every day is lack of a proper wheelchair or positioning device, we are required to find a way to make that possible.

As far as the best cushions, gel cushions are a good middle ground. They are generally very comfortable for most people who have intact skin (or small sores). If incontinence or wetness are issues, go for a honeycomb, as these draw moisture away from the body. If skin breakdown is a big concern, ROHO cushions are higher end, they are inflatable and tend to be the most pressure relieving. Just to warn you, these cushions can get very pricey. If you can't find any in a medical supply store, look at a Sammons Preston or AliMed catalog, they carry a wide variety.

Hope this helps!

OTconsideringBSN · May 28, 2011

Also, environmental control units can be used to control many things in the environment (light switches, TV, radio, etc.) Not sure how much these cost but they can be set up to work with most household things.

As far as speaking, has he had a speech therapist? There are many augmentative communication device, i.e. Dynavox that he could be set up with that would allow him to communicate using an automated voice. Something to consider, but a speech therapist would be the best to talk to about that.

my4helpers · May 28, 2011

Also, environmental control units can be used to control many things in the environment (light switches, TV, radio, etc.) Not sure how much these cost but they can be set up to work with most household things.
As far as speaking, has he had a speech therapist? There are many augmentative communication device, i.e. Dynavox that he could be set up with that would allow him to communicate using an automated voice. Something to consider, but a speech therapist would be the best to talk to about that.

Within the next week he is getting a unit set up in his room so he can work the TV; he is so excited! To be honest, the price was not too bad. I mean when you think about the things he can no longer do and see the excitement for this TV system, it is so worth it!

To be honest, we are not crazy about this LTC facility and he does have a speech thereapist. He likes this LTC facility because family literally lives within minutes and also we had trouble finding places who take tracheotomy patients. When you turn off everything like his Oxygen, TV and air condition, you can hear him talk. However, it would be nice if there were a device to help him speak louder.