Ten Cushion Buying Mistakes Families Make

Mistake 1: Buying before working out the problem

The most common error is to buy a cushion for "comfort" when the real problem is something else. A cushion that eases a sore back will not protect fragile skin; a cushion that raises a low chair will not stop slumping.

Do instead: write down what you want to solve. Is it pain (back, hip, tailbone)? Pressure and skin risk? Height for standing? Posture and sliding? Heat? Incontinence? Different problems need different cushions. See seat cushions for older adults.

Mistake 2: Ignoring pressure sore risk

Someone who sits for many hours, has fragile skin, diabetes, reduced feeling or limited movement needs a pressure-relieving cushion, not a decorative one. A thin foam pad or a soft pillow may feel pleasant but does not protect.

Do instead: check your parent's risk with a nurse or therapist, and choose a gel, contoured foam or air cushion as advised; see pressure care in a wheelchair and gel cushions for pressure relief.

Mistake 3: Choosing a ring or donut cushion

Ring cushions are recommended in shops and by well-meaning friends for sore bottoms and bedsores. They can concentrate pressure around the edge and reduce blood flow, and guidelines advise against them for pressure sores.

Do instead: use a proper pressure-relieving cushion, or a wedge or cut-out cushion for tailbone pain, on advice; see ring and donut cushions and cushions for piles and tailbone pain.

Mistake 4: Thicker and softer is better

Many families assume that more padding and softness means more comfort. A very soft cushion lets the body sink, so the sit bones sit on the hard base ("bottoming out"), makes standing harder, encourages slouching and may give a feeling of instability.

Do instead: choose a cushion that is firm enough to support, test by sliding a hand under the sit bones and make sure it does not collapse. Typical thickness is 5 to 10 cm.

Mistake 5: Making the chair too high or too low

A thick cushion on a normal chair can lift an older person so that the feet no longer reach the floor, creating instability and strain, or the table becomes too low. A very thin cushion on a low chair leaves the person unable to stand.

Do instead: measure. The knees should be level with or slightly below the hips, and the feet flat on the floor. See choosing a chair for an older person and helping an elderly parent stand from a chair.

Mistake 6: Buying the cheapest foam

Low-density foam may be soft at first but flattens in weeks to months and gives little support. It saves money for a short time and then needs replacing.

Do instead: look for high-density foam or a reputable gel or air cushion. Check the weight rating and warranty. Ask about the density, if offered, and press firmly to see how quickly it recovers.

Mistake 7: Ignoring the cover

A cover that is too tight, too slippery, too hot or impossible to wash defeats the purpose of the cushion. A plastic cover causes sweating; a loose cover bunches under the skin. A cover that cannot be washed becomes a hygiene problem.

Do instead: choose a breathable, removable, washable cover with a non-slip base, and keep a spare. For incontinence, use a breathable waterproof cover or protector. See cushion covers, washing and hygiene.

Mistake 8: Using the wrong cushion in the wrong place

A bed pillow used as a wheelchair cushion, a wheelchair cushion in a car, a soft memory foam pad under a seat belt: each can be unsafe. Car cushions that are too thick or soft interfere with the belt and head restraint.

Do instead: match the cushion to the place. For cars, use a thin, firm, non-slip pad; see car seat cushions for older passengers. For wheelchairs, use a cushion designed for them; see cushions for wheelchair users.

Mistake 9: Expecting a cushion to do everything

No cushion removes the need to move. People who sit for hours need to change position, shift weight, stand and walk. A cushion also cannot fix a poorly fitting chair or correct posture on its own.

Do instead: combine the cushion with regular movement, a suitable chair and skin checks; see sitting for long hours.

Mistake 10: Buying without trying, and skipping advice

Many cushions are bought online with no chance to test and no advice. Returns may be difficult. Older people differ greatly in size, weight, skin condition and posture.

Do instead:

• Try the cushion on your parent's own chair before committing, or buy from a supplier with a return policy.
• Check the weight limit and size.
• Ask an occupational therapist or nurse for advice if your parent sits for long hours, has fragile skin or uses a wheelchair.
• Read the care instructions and the warranty.

A short buying checklist

Before you pay, ask yourself:

• Have we identified the problem the cushion should solve?
• Does it suit my parent's pressure risk?
• Is it the right size, thickness and firmness?
• Does it fit the chair, car or wheelchair safely?
• Is the cover breathable, removable and washable?
• Is it stable and non-slip?
• Can we clean and dry it easily, even in the monsoon?
• Is the weight rating enough?
• Do we have a spare cover?
• Is there a return policy and warranty?
• Have we asked a professional if the risk is high?

Other items in the same family

The same thinking applies to other comfort items:

• Lumbar cushions: see lumbar cushions.
• Neck pillows: see neck pillows for travel and sleep.
• Wedge pillows: see wedge pillows.
• Leg elevation pillows: see leg elevation pillows.
• Hot packs: see hot packs and older skin.

What to do if you have already bought the wrong one

Mistakes happen, and most can be corrected without much cost. If the cushion is too soft or too thick, return it if you can, or use it for short sitting only and buy a firmer one for long periods. If it is a ring cushion and your parent is at risk of pressure sores, stop using it and check the skin that day. If the cover is wrong, buy a breathable replacement or a washable protector. If the cushion makes the chair too high, remove it or choose a thinner one, and check that the feet reach the floor. If you are unsure, take a photograph of your parent sitting on it, with the feet and back visible, and show a nurse or therapist, who can usually tell at a glance whether it is suitable. Keep the receipt and packaging until you are sure, and check the skin and comfort after a week of use. Pass unsuitable but clean cushions to someone who needs them, and record what you learned for the next purchase.

When to ask a professional

Ask an occupational therapist, nurse or physiotherapist for advice before buying a cushion if your parent has had a pressure sore, sits for long periods, is thin or very heavy, has poor sensation or posture problems, or uses a wheelchair. See a doctor for skin that is red, painful or broken. Our care advisors can recommend cushions and arrange a nurse or therapist visit.