I have long held the belief that there is no “silver bullet” solution when it comes to the prevention of pressure sores.
I am really lightweight and skinny, which at times has its advantages, but the downside is that I am left with absolutely no “padding”. This is a challenge for someone who spends every minute of his waking day sitting in a wheelchair and has no strength to shift or move my body around during the course of the day. I have been dealing with this now for nearly 50 years with the result that I have probably tried all available options when it comes to minimising the development of pressure sores. I have experimented with various designs of foam, gel and air cushions, different thicknesses, various profiles, covering materials, and the use of sheepskin. You name it, I have tried it.
They all work, but only for a while, and then they don’t any more. My impression after all this time has been that the actual solution is not to have a single cushion, but to make use of a collection of cushions. Vary the cushion, have a couple of different designs, and alternate them as often as possible.
Something I have been using really successfully for over a year now has been a “Tempur” brand car seat cover. Tempur are a well-known and respected company of mattress and cushioning products who produce a unique memory foam core in their range. This product is more than simply a fabric car seat cover. It incorporates a breathable exterior fabric sandwiching a high-density memory foam core creating a cushioning effect of its own. The Tempur has proved to be a great addition to my seating arsenal for a number of reasons.
A Tempur car seat cover is made from high-density foam that conforms to the shape of your body, providing superior comfort and support. This is especially beneficial for someone who will be sitting in their motorised wheelchair for extended periods of time as the foam conforms to the individual’s unique shape, providing customised support, reducing pressure points, helping to distribute their weight evenly, and thereby reducing the risk of pressure sores.
It is designed to be durable and longlasting. It is made from high-quality materials that are able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. For individuals who experience incontinence the cover can be easily removed and washed, which helps to maintain hygiene and prolong the life of the cushion.
The Tempur cover is easy to instal and remove, making it a convenient choice for individuals who may need to switch between different seating options. I am currently placing a variety of foam cushions onto the base seat of the wheelchair, and then securing the car seat cover (with its elasticised straps and clasps) on top of that. This gives me the option of changing the underlying foam cushion, either in profile or in density, which allows for an almost infinite combinations of seating options. These can be swapped out in less than a minute, allowing for them to be cleaned, aired, or simply rested for a couple of days before being put back into use.
Lastly, a Tempur cover offers different configurations depending on one’s wheelchair seat size. It can be folded, moved and adjusted to suit the individual user and also incorporates a removable support for the lower back, which might suit many. I certainly find that this option provides me with increased upper body support and comfort for extended periods.
I have focused here on the Tempur offering but there are a number of other companies producing car seat covers which incorporate an element of foam support and padding. Google is your friend in locating these covers, and Takealot might well be able to take care of the delivery!
awesome