Positioning pillows and positioning cushions are your ideal companion when experiencing chronic pain, surgery recovery, and poor circulation. The inclination on these pillows elevates your neck, shoulders, head, and upper torso.
This risen posture helps in addressing many health issues such as snoring, acid reflux, GERD, etc. If you are looking to purchase positioning pillows or positioning cushions, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we share everything you need to consider while making the purchase:
Types of Pillow
There are not many types of options in positioning pillows for the elderly. They all basically feature a sloped, triangular design. What differentiates these pillows is the incline and size.
The level of inclination determines whether it is suitable for neck pain or back pain. These pillows are suitable for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers.
The Shape of the Pillow
Generally, these pillows are shaped like a triangle or wedge to support a size inclination. But there are some pillows that come with a pillow system. These types of pillows can be folded into different shapes in order to gain a contoured impact.
Some of the pillows come with detachable pieces. The angle of the pillow is a vital factor to consider when determining the problem you are looking to solve.
If you need to elevate your head slightly to reduce sleep apnea or snoring, choose a pillow with a gradual slope. But if you are looking for positioning pillows or positioning wedges and rolls to watch TV, eat or read while reclined or work in the bed, then you would need a higher inclination.
Size of the Pillow
Positioning pillows for elderly come in different sizes and weights. Generally, they come in 20-inch square form to offer proper support to neck, shoulder, and backs.
They also provide adequate support to feet and leg regions. Determining the size of the pillow depends on your body shape as well. If you are a larger person, you would need a bigger positioning pillow.
You should also consider the size of your bed while selecting these pillows if you have a King or Queen sized bed, then you would need larger positioning pillows or positioning cushions.
The weight of these pillows also varies based on the thickness, composition and size of the pillow. Large pillows can weight up to ten pounds whereas smaller wedge pillows generally weight around two to three pounds.
Materials Used
Positioning pillows or positioning cushions are made of different materials that include –
- Memory Foam: This material conforms to the body shape of the person, offering better comfort.
- Polyurethane Foam: It offers strong support, making it the perfect choice for spinal alignment.
- Covers: These pillows come with fabric material that can be easily removed and washed.
- Polyester Fiber Fill: It is used to create a softer layer or to use it as a separate pillow. These are great to add an extra layer on top of the firm foam pillow.
Final Thoughts
These are some important things that you need to know about positioning pillows. Understanding these factors will help you to buy a good positing pillow to cater to your needs & make your life & sleep healthier.
