Bed rails can serve different functions whether at home, in a nursing home, or in the hospital. They are meant to help patients who are confined to bed from falling or rolling out of bed. Bed rails for seniors also give support when they have difficulties getting in and out of their beds.
It can also be used to offer support when they need to adjust their position when they are already in bed. If a senior has to sleep alone on the bed, then it may be necessary to have double rails for every side of the bed. This offers better support, especially if they can be adjusted. These can be lengthened or shortened according to the senior persons need.
Bed rails for elderly are a great addition, especially to anyone who needs support. These include the elderly, invalids, or patients in hospice care. There are many things that you should consider when you are choosing the best bed rail.
The kind and size of the bed should be considered. Consider whether you want fixed or adjustable bed rails for seniors. There are many options available so you should be able to pick the most appropriate bed rail for your particular need.
Why do seniors fall out of bed?
Seniors have been known to fall out of bed while they sleep or while they try to get in and out of the bed. When you are caring for a senior, then you must have faced this issue and there are many causes for this.
There are different reasons that could cause this. Seniors may fall due to balance issues or even mobility issues. They may also roll out of the bed and fall, especially if they toss and turn a lot while they sleep.
Bed rails for adults can help prevent this. Things like medications, disorientation, and confusion, lack of bladder control, making them rush to the bathroom too quickly from the bed, and so on.
Are bed rails safe for elderly?
Bed rails can be safe for the elderly, but they can also pose a great hazard. It all comes down to making a wise choice. You should take time to consider the kind of rail that you should pick in the first place.
For it to be safe, it should be the right kind of product. The environment should be safe to cover medical needs, freedom of movement, as well as comfort.
If you want safety, then it is important that you appreciate all the risks that are involved in using the bed assist rails. This should motivate you to ensure that they are well installed in the correct way and know that there are some people who should never use them.
Advantages of bed rails for seniors:
Some advantages of using bed frame rails for seniors include:
- Prevent falls that are common with the elderly
- Aid the elderly person to get in bed and out of it
- Help them to sleep in the most comfortable position when in bed
- Offer comfort since it is a kind of wall
- Offer security for all letting them sleep better.
- Allow them to access things on the bed easily
- Allow elderly persons to be independent without needing to ask for help all the time
Solutions for seniors falling out of bed
There are different strategies that can be used so as to reduce falls. It is important to prevent them because they can cause serious injuries and even death. Some of the things you should consider include:
- Low bed: if you choose a low bed, it means that the distance between the top and the floor is reduced significantly. This means that the elderly person can reach the floor easily, even in a sitting position.
- Bed safety rails: bed rails can be of great help especially when they match the type of bed because the elderly person will not roll over. Getting up also becomes easier.
- Talk to a doctor: if the elderly person is using the bathroom too frequently during the night and falling in the process, you should talk to a doctor so that the trips can be reduced.
- Body pillows: to prevent rolling, you should use body pillows, one on each side to prevent this. This is an alternative to bed rails for elderly.
- Pool noodles: if your loved one is dealing with dementia, they may hurt themselves if bed rails are used. Pool noodles work just like the pillows and they are placed at the edge. This means that the senior person will not roll over.
- Hospital bed: if you can afford it, you may buy a hospital bed. It is easy to adjust and it already has bed rails that you can raise and lower at will.
The only way to find a lasting solution is to establish the real cause of the falls. When you know why then you will know how to deal with it.
How I Selected the best bed rails for seniors?
There are different things to consider when choosing a bed rail and they include:
Design
As mentioned earlier, bed rails can pose a hazard. You should consider the design and make sure that there aren’t any sharp edges that could possibly hurt the elderly person as they try to use it.
Size
Size also matters. You need to find metal bed rails that match the size of your bed. There are adjustable options and you might want to choose them if you are not sure about what works best.
Quality
A high quality bed rail is the best because it lasts longer.
Material
The material determines the quality of the bed rail. A smooth surface that is rust free is always a good choice.
Stability
The bed rail is meant to offer support and so stability should be at the top of the list. Stability is determined by the sturdiness of the material used and the quality of the construction.
Best 10 bed rails for seniors
1: Drive Medical Adjustable Height Home Bed Assist Handle↓
2: Medline Bed Assist Bar with Storage Pocket↓
3: Stander EZ Adjust and Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail/Swing down Assist Handle↓
4: AdirMed Height Adjustable Bed Rail↓
5: Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Hand Bed Rail↓
6: Stander BedCane↓
7: Secure Bed Assist Hand Rail Grab Bar with Adjustable Floor Support↓
8: Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Hand Bed Rail with Floor Supports↓
9: Stander Bed Rail Advantage Traveler↓
10: Drive Medical Home Bed Assist Rail↓
1: Drive Medical Adjustable Height Home Bed Assist Handle
This is one of the best bed rails that you can choose. It has a handle that is easy to use, and it can slide under your mattress. This offers a secure and safe grip as you get in and out of bed.
It is usually delivered in three pieces that are assembled without much difficulty. You do not require any tools for this. The height can also be adjusted between 15 to 29 inches. It has no slip foam, which is found at the board’s base making it one of the most stable options in the market.
If you want to store this item or transport it, it is very easy since it can be folded flat. This rail is ideal for a home-style bed. You can attach this rail to either side of the bed as you please. This means that you will not have to worry about the fit.
The handle is removable and is made of steel that is chrome plated. It is very solid, strong and quite easy to clean. This product has all the qualities of a good bed grip and it may be what your loved one needs to stay safe.
2: Medline Bed Assist Bar with Storage Pocket
This bed assist bar comes with a storage pocket. You can adjust this item so that it can serve you better as you get in and out of your home bed. This bed bar can be placed on the side that you prefer with greater ease so you do not have to worry about a perfect fit.
It is very easy and quick to assemble the product and you do not need any tools for that. The construction is sturdy, making this a durable and high quality option.
The fact that the legs can be adjusted for height makes this bed bar one of the most versatile options that you can choose. There is a mesh pocket that comes in handy if the senior person wants to have some things close to them during the night or as they use the bed.
This option is suitable for most queen, full, and twin beds for adults.
Getting this bed assist bar can mean the difference between making it out of bed safely and not. We should all appreciate that the bedroom is one of the places where many falls are likely to occur.
When a senior person has issues with movement and stability, you can offer this extra help. It is a great addition for post operation situations.
3: Stander EZ Adjust and Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail/Swing down Assist Handle
This bed rail is a good choice if you want to prevent your loved one from falling. It assists them to get out of bed quite easily. The bed rail can be adjusted and can serve as a bed rail and a handrail. It can be adjusted from 26 inches to 34 inches and then to 42 inches after it has been attached to the bed.
The Rail can be folded on the side of one’s bed so that getting out becomes much easier. You can also fold it to give you enough space to make the bed. This can be attached to the hospital or home bed and it comes with a safety strap.
This bed rail is delivered in different pieces, which include a center bar, 2 L shaped tubes, handle, and pouch, hardware and wrench, and a safety strap.
The design used to make this bed rail is what makes it such a good choice because it blends with the feeling of being at home which is quite comfortable.
It is a very versatile bed rail that is available in the market because you can adjust the length and then pivot or downwards after installation. This is a great bed rail for adjustable beds, but can also be used on fixed beds.
4: AdirMed Height Adjustable Bed Rail
This model has a storage pouch. The brand name is AdirMed and it comes in color black. The item weighs 4.8 pounds. This bed rail has quite a durable construction that offers a solid and strong structure with a weight capacity of up to 250 pounds.
The material used to make it is steel which is powder coated. The material is what offers the product strength that lasts long all through the years of use. It is quite easy to clean as well.
It is a good choice for seniors and anyone who is permanently or temporarily disabled. The bed rail is slip resistant and is able to offer stable assistance as you climb in and out of the bed thereby preventing falls even without assistance.
To assemble this item, you do not need any tools and you do not have to do any kind of installation. It is quite easy to use since you just slide it under your mattress and start using.
The height and the depth of the bed rail can also be adjusted so as to fit almost all kinds of beds. The handle can be removed and then stored during the time it is not in use.
5: Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Hand Bed Rail
This product is designed in such a way that it prevents falls by assisting the elderly person to move without having a nightstand or any other kind of furniture.
It is made even better because the handgrip is non-slip. The height can be adjusted to allow it to fit most of the home beds that are available in the market. The steel is chrome plated which makes it a durable option.
The extendable bar can easily slip between the box spring and mattress and can match most king, queen, double, and twin beds. It comes with a strap, which is used to secure it to the bed and prevent the rail from moving.
This product can handle up to 300 pounds. You can adjust the height from 17inches to 21 inches. It also comes with sleeves that are non-slip to hold it in place.
This product is also portable and easy to store as well. Having this bed rail in place ensures that your loved one is safe and secure and offers them the convenience of getting out of bed on their own without having to call for help, which can be rather frustrating.
6: Stander BedCane
This option can be attached to many adjustable and home beds and it includes a safety strap for more sturdiness. It is an ergonomic padded handle that offers the elderly person the much-needed help, as they get in and out of bed with minimal or no assistance.
There is also a pouch that has four pockets to allow the elderly person to organize his or her small items and reach them when they are needed.
The other thing you note about this product is that the standing handle is reversible so that it can be placed on any side of the end as you please. It is also quite portable.
Installing this item is quite easy and it has a base made of bamboo board and this can be placed between the box spring and the mattress. You can also adjust the height from 19 inches to 22 inches.
The weight capacity of the product is 300 pounds. This bed cane comes in different pieces, which can be assembled, and they include hardware and wrench, safety strap, bamboo baseboard, organizer pouch, and main handle.
This option allows you to be independent again, which boosts their self-esteem. The fact that the handle is padded means that you get a solid grip reinforcing the balance and leverage.
It is a great choice for people who do not need too much protection, but still require some assistance as they get in or out of their bed.
7: Secure Bed Assist Hand Rail Grab Bar with Adjustable Floor Support
This bed grab bar offers secure and safe support to the elderly or people with stability issues. If you require assistance getting in or out of bed, this is one of the rails that you should consider.
It comes with floor support, which can be adjusted, and it is a great fall prevented, specially designed for people in need of a stable and sturdy bar that they can grab when they need to.
It is an amazing choice for people with disabilities, handicapped, the elderly, seniors, those recovering from hip replacement, those who have just had surgery, people with back pain, or anyone with injuries of any kind that make them need some support.
This bar comes with a storage pouch, which is quite handy. You can stash your essentials in there, including glasses, phone, or even the remote for easy access.
This is a bed rail that can fit all kinds of beds and it is durable meaning it does not have to be replaced every now and then. The tube under the mattress can adjust from 34 inches all the way to 45 inches. It can fit beds that are king, queen, full, or twin sized.
Installation is also very convenient and quick, and it does not require any tools. The material used to make this item is steel which is powder coated to allow continuous use on the long term.
8: Essential Medical Supply Height Adjustable Hand Bed Rail with Floor Supports
This bed rail is designed so that it can prevent falls and allow the user to be safe as they get in and out of bed without necessarily having a nightstand or any other kind of furniture.
The legs are usually extended on the ground level to give even more of the needed support. You can adjust the height from 17 inches to 21 inches. The fact that you can adjust the height means that the bed rail can be fitted on almost kinds of home beds that you may have.
This bed rail also includes a strap, which can be used to secure all sides of the bed. It also holds the rail in place so that it does not move around causing even more risks. This rail can actually fit different bed sizes and it has a bar that is extendable and that can slip between the box spring and the mattress.
The product is made of aluminum tubing that is 7 to eight inches in diameter. The product can handle up to 300 pounds, which means that most people can actually use this option.
9: Stander Bed Rail Advantage Traveler
This is quite an ergonomic choice that offers the much needed support in and out of bed. The width of the rail stands at 17 inches. It can be folded to half its size, which makes storage and travel a breeze. It also comes with an organizer pouch so that you can store your items and reach them easily when the need arises.
This option can fit most adjustable and regular beds that have a mattress of anywhere between 10 inches to 16 inches. This is a bariatric bed guardrail that can handle up to 400 pounds.
This is a bed rail that has several pieces that need to be assembled and they include the organizer pouch, the main handle, and a safety strap.
You can travel with this bed rail because it is one of the most portable designs available in the market. Usually, the item is delivered already assembled.
It is quite easy to use since you only have to unfold and then slide it between the mattress and the box spring. The safety strap holds it securely in place. It has a cushion grip kind of handle.
10: Drive Medical Home Bed Assist Rail
This is another sensible option that should be considered. It is very easy and quick to assemble this adult bed rail and you do not need to sue any kinds of tools for that purpose, this rail usually comes in 2 pieces that you can use on both sides of your bed.
The safety strap is extra-long and special enabling the user to fit it on a king, queen, double, twin or even single sized bed. The strap is able to wrap around the box spring or mattress, thereby giving the best and most secure fit.
The material used to make this product is steel which is powder coated making it durable and quite easy to clean when the need arises. The handle can be removed and has many crossbars, which makes it easy to grip regardless of height.
The mid bar which is included in the handle can be detached if it is not being used. The bed rail has a weight capacity of around 250 pounds.
This rail offers patients the kind of assistance that they require to get in and out of their bed. The products come in only two pieces and it only needs quick and tools free assembly. You can get it with a trip-fold or without one.
Conclusion:
Seniors have many issues and most have to do with instability and general strength loss that is normal with the aging process. There are also different health issues that may affect the elderly persons and this can include dementia. As such, falls are very common, especially when they need to get in or out of bed. They may also turn and toss around a lot during sleep, which adds to the risk of falling.
Installing bed side rails may be the only way you can assist your loved one to get in and out of bed safely and without extra assistance. It may also be the only thing that can keep them from rolling out of bed.
