Foam for Disabilities: Wheelchair, Safety and Sensory Uses
Foam has tremendous potential for adults and children with disabilities. It's both a stimulating and a safety-oriented material, so it has a wide range of applications in these settings.
Foam supports for wheelchairs, beds and chairs
Most commonly, foam is used as a support in wheelchairs, beds and chairs. Because it can be cut to specific shapes and sizes and made in particular densities to suit the user, it's the most adaptable option. Standard wheelchair cushions and pressure cushions are commonly bought in memory foam, giving relief from back and joint pain – contouring to the body and offering pressure-point relief and postural management to optimise comfort and health.
For those who spend a lot of time sitting up in bed, polyurethane headboard pads help prevent head and neck injuries and add comfort. These can be cut to size and shape, such as a wedge or triangular shape to aid sitting up – you can read more in our guide to wedge foam cushions. Foam is a fantastically customisable material that accommodates a range of widths, lengths and shapes for complex seating needs.
Foam for safety
For safety, foam pads are frequently placed around a bed or chair in case of a fall, particularly where safety rails aren't available. Folding polyurethane pads are popular for those who travel and need to stay safe on the go. Medium-high density foam is a popular choice and can be laminated or covered with specialist covers widely available online.
Foam for children's play
It's hard to keep children safe when they're keen to explore. For playrooms and recreation, parents and carers often use foam pads to cover walls and floors against falls and bumps. Foam floor pads also let a child lie, roll and move comfortably without risk of injury. Children with disabilities may also need softer toys, so foam shapes such as cubes, triangles and rectangles are a great option, available in a range of sizes and cut to specification.
Foam for sensory rooms
Foam's uses go beyond safety. Sensory rooms are growing in popularity, offering rich activity experiences in a safe, comfortable setting, and many people now create them at home with foam as a key material. It can be used much as above – for seating, wall and floor protection and toys – but it's the very makeup of foam that makes it an excellent sensory material.
Memory foam, for example, strengthens the sensation of touch, letting someone create shapes using different levels of pressure. Foam rollers, like those used in fitness, make a wonderful sensory toy for those interested in textures. Acoustic, or egg-crate, foam is another great option for those drawn to repetitive patterns and interesting surfaces. The possibilities are endless, as any foam can be cut to any shape or size.
To discuss eFoam's expertise with foam for disabled adults and children, please contact our team today.
Frequently asked questions
What foam is best for a wheelchair cushion?
Standard wheelchair cushions and pressure cushions are commonly made in memory foam, which contours to the body and offers pressure-point relief and postural management for relief from back and joint pain.
How is foam used for safety?
Foam pads are often placed around a bed or chair in case of a fall, particularly where safety rails aren't available. Folding polyurethane pads suit those who travel, and foam wall and floor pads make playrooms safer for children.
What foam is good for a sensory room?
Memory foam helps strengthen the sensation of touch, foam rollers make a good textured sensory toy, and egg-crate or acoustic foam suits those drawn to repetitive patterns and interesting surfaces. Any foam can be cut to any shape or size.
