Wheelchair incontinence cushion: Any suggestions for a cushion for my wife, who has incontinence?

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Any suggestions for a cushion for my wife, who has incontinence?

Question

My wife now uses a wheelchair and has some problems with incontinence. Are there wheelchair cushions that provide comfort and support, but can also handle the incontinence issues?

Our answer

Since your wife is spending a lot of time in her wheelchair, it is important she has the right cushion and cushion cover to meet her needs. Wheelchair cushions are often very customized to the user; thus, it is vital that you work with a health care provider for a proper fit.

A lot of wheelchair cushions come with covers that are water-resistant and washable. However, if you’re unsure if your wife’s current wheelchair cushion falls into this category, you might find that a seat pad, like the Yippee Sheets Seat Protector, is a simple solution. These waterproof pads, which are made to fit wheelchairs and are easily washable, and cost about $20 to $40 (CDN). Note that seat pads may reduce the pressure-relieving properties of specialized cushions such as ROHO, and can, as a result, increase the risk of pressure ulcers by trapping moisture. 

Other similar seat protector products include:

Moonsea Waterproof Incontinence Chair Pad (at Amazon Canada) costs about $9 (CDN), plus additional shipping fees.

Liquaguard Incontinence Wheelchair Cushion Cover (at Liqua Guard Solutions) costs about $85 (USD), plus additional shipping fees.

Another option is incontinence underwear, the website caringvillage.com has provided a list of the Top 5 Adult Incontinence Underwear for Women as well as a list of the Top 5 Adult Incontinence Underwear for Men.

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