Seat cushions

[shelly21]

Hi all. I am yet again battling with my useless tissue viability and physio.

Earlier this year it took them 3 months to get a suitable mattress for the hospital bed.

So I started complaining of bum pain & soreness way back in November last year. My OT finally referred me to tissue viability in March. 2 weeks ago I heard nothing so I chased it. They came out & seriously could not come up with anything! They delivered a wheelchair pad. I thought it was for my manual wheelchair whilst I'm waiting for power chair. So when we spoke to the manager she said "well you don't have any sores". Red rag to a bull. My husband said "well we are trying to prevent them" i also said how did she know I hadn't got any sores. She believed district nurses were visiting. I explained no nurse or no medical person has examined my bum.

This is the last straw. There is a new complaint board. I typed down all the things that had been way below a poor service.it was so awful even I had forgotten.

So can any of you kind people recommend a decent seat cushion please. Are the alternating air cushions good.

We are complaining but I really need a seat cushion. Getting very concerned re heat and soreness.

[Piglet]

shelly21District nurses visits my husband monthly to check on pressure areas.He doesn’t have any pressure sores but they provided a blue pressure cushion to prevent pressure sores. This was used prior to him getting specialist riser chair.It’s ridiculous they are being awkward with you, it’s a necessity.
My husband also has a specialist pressure riser chair with cushioned seat and arms provided by MNDA via OT. All those with MND are entitled to specialist chair. Check with your OT if you haven’t got one.Good luck xx

[Ellie]

shelly21 Absolutely right - we are given pressure relief products to prevent pressure sores, not when we develop them - horse bolted scenario 😱😱😱 An OT is the best to assess and advise on the most suitable cushion for you - any hope of you linking in with a hospice OT?

Is Notwithstanding that an OT should supply a suitable cushion in a timely manner: is this for your manual chair and/or armchair?

The issue you'll have with the deep cushions normally used in a powerchair is that apart from costings several hundred pounds, they are about 10cm high, they're too high for most chairs in respect to the height of the armrest, unless your wheelchair arms and footrests can adjust to accomodate it.

An air cushion didn't provide enough support for my thighs, so I have a deep filled gel gushion in my powerchair and a static air cell, gel topped cushion for my armchair, which is 5cm high. It's called a TruLife Gelcell.

Have you seen any online? xx

[shelly21]

Piglet thank you. No one checks me. I'm not surprised and by complaining hopefully will improve services. X

[shelly21]

Ellie thank you. Yes I can't have a deep cushion re height of the arms.

I was told 2 days ago that my OT is retiring and the team may disband. Best news ever! My OT has known about this pain etc since October. Done nothing. We are sick of waiting months for nothing.

I think the gel will really help. X

[shelly21]

Ellie there is a brand new one on ebay but its a 3cm. Trulife gelcell. I'm thinking its worth going for.

[Ellie]

Almost 300 quid 😲 It says 5cm...

Does it come with a pump? (it needs a pump)

[Ellie]

Check out other sites shelly21 It's 230 on Bayliss Mobility, for example. xx

[fjay]

If 10cm deep is not too deep (it might be as Ellie said) - the Reflect Pressure Care cushion seems to be recommended in higher risk situations (before moving on to air systems).

It's out of stock here but available in various places for about £40

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/m...ion?sku=M58343

(Of course NHS OT should provide something like this).

[shelly21]

fjay they just don't work for me. I have found a trulife gellcell g2 for £80 brand new off ebay. The colling element will be lush as my bum feels like its on firex

[Ellie]

I have found a trulife gellcell g2 for £80 brand new off ebay.

Phew Shelly, I feared you forking out over 3x that amount 😬

Hope you find it good 😘

[shelly21]

Ellie the physio came today and she also said the 2 cushions available are all our health authority will pay for. But she said they do have what is called 'special order'.

I'm battling another chest infection, my swallow is really deteriorated and my speech a mere mumble but I will compile a letter to my health authority.

Thank you Ellie you're a life saver 🥰😋

[Ellie]

... she said they do have what is called 'special order'.

Yeah, tough, she needs to know and understand one thing: we are 'special people' 😉

[Ellie]

I'm battling another chest infection

Ah rats Shelly, could you be aspirating? 😬😘