One of the frequently overlooked pieces of equipment that will help the elderly and seniors age in place safely is the simple bedrail. This is because it can make the every task of getting into and out of bed a lot easier. But, that’s obvious, right? Having a bedrail can also prevent unintended falls from the bed also. And, for those whose bed doubles as their base of operations, whether TV watching, computer work, or bill paying, having the right bedrail can provide a little more space for organizing the cell phone, TV remote, eye glasses, as well as other items that frequently get lost in the covers.
Are Bedrails Safe for the Elderly
There are legitimate questions regarding the safely of using a bedrail for the elderly. In my experience, questions of bedrail safety have more to do with if the bedrail is appropriate for the type of bed or if the bed rail is used to keep someone in the bed rather than preventing them from falling out.
Taking a look at the first issue, whether a bedrail is appropriate for a particular bed is a matter of matching the proper rail to the proper bed and mattress set. Some bedrails have legs that raise and lower it to the desired height. However, because of the height or thickness of the box spring, mattress and even the bedframe, you may not be able to get a good fit. Therefore, the mattress may not rest flat and may be slanted and uncomfortable to sleep on. Or, the bedrail and it’s legs may scrape or otherwise damage the bed frame.
Also, if you have an electric bed, you also may find that the bedrail “doesn’t fit” the bed and that there is nothing to securely attach it to and hold it in place. This may be because the frame of the electric bed moves up and down and many bedrails are not made to work on the newer electric beds.
Bedrails Are Not Meant to Be Used as a Restraint
There is a common misconception that bedrails will prevent a person who may have dementia or is forgetful from being able to get out of bed. But using a bedrail for this purpose may actually lead to greater or more serious injuries. The reason being is that people will try to climb over the bedrail in order to get out of bed. climbing over the bedrail could lead to a fall from a relatively greater height actually, or also while trying to get past the bedrail, an arm or a leg may get trapped between the bars on a bedrail and lead to a serious injury.
For those caregivers worried about people getting out of bed unattended, an alarm system may be a better option. Whether its a pressure monitor for the bed or floor, or a simple motion activation system, this may be a safer option than a bedrail to prevent unattended exits from the bed.
Sturdy Bed Rails for Elderly People
Having a bed that is the proper height is important. and some bedrails simply don’t fit. I mentioned above that some bedrail are made with legs meant to provide additional support. But some have trouble getting them to fit well on their beds. In other cases, the bed rail is simply supposed to fit between the mattress and box spring but isn’t secured by anything other than pressure. And still again, some bedrails may only have 1 post as a support rather than 2. In each of these cases, the bedrail may prove to be less sturdy than other options.
The above photos show bedrails with legs that don’t actually fit the height of the bedframe or mattresses and so don’t rest on the floor as they are designed to do. Below is a photo of a bedrail with only one post. These have more than one complaint that they don’t hold up that well to a lot of pulling a pushing because all the force is directed at that 1 support and it can become loose and floppy that could lead to it breaking and a fall.
What is the Best Bedrail for Elderly People Getting Out of Bed
The best bedrail for elderly people to use for getting into and out of bed, as well as decreasing the potential for a fall is one that doesn’t have to problems listed above. There are several options to choose from that can work for your individual situation. They all have things in common that eliminate the problems listed above. Firstly, they fit under the mattress, whether on top of the box spring or solid bed frame. Second, they all secure the bedrail to the opposite side of the bed frame using an adjustable strap. Third, they have 2 posts for support rather than one. Fourth, they don’t have legs used for support.
As I wrote earlier, there are many different options for you to consider when looking for the best bedrail to suit your needs. In general, people need them for a little extra support and help them get into and out of bed. In other cases, bedrails are needed to help prevent people from accidentally rolling out of the bed. In the first case, what’s needed is a partial bedrail that doesn’t take up too much room. In the latter example, a longer bedrail is needed. But, in the case of a longer bedrail, it should also allow for a person to get into and out of bed easily but also give the option to stop unintended falls from bed.
For those who only need a partial bedrail, consider the Lunderg Bed Assist Rail. It’s built sturdy, comes with a storage pouch and a motion activated night light for safe mobility during the darker hours. It lights the way to or from the bed without the necessity of turning the overhead light on.
The above option fits smoothly under the mattress and secures to the frame. It’s easily assembled, is durable, provides the needed support but doesn’t take up too much room on the side of the bed.
For those who may need something that provides a little more support from possible falls from the bed, a longer bedrail is needed. However, like I already mentioned, it shouldn’t be so long that it makes it difficult for caregiver and care recipient alike to get in and out of bed.
A good option in this case may be the AbleLife Extend-A-Rail adjustable bedrail. This unit shortens and extends to different lengths as they are needed. Shorten the bedrail when getting into and out of bed or assisting with hygiene or dressing. And extend the rail when napping or the individual has turned in for the night.
As you can see with either of the above 2 options, there is no need to worry if the bed itself is too high or too low to accommodate the bedrail itself. Also, with the double posts they will both be more sturdy than a single post bedrail. Your choice will ultimately depend on your preferences, specific needs and environment. But, the above 2 are solid options when an adjustable bedrail is needed for seniors and the elderly.
Bryan Williams
Physical Therapist
is a licensed therapist with near 30 years of professional experience treating a diverse patient population in a multitude of settings. With simple strategies, he educates and empowers his clients with simple strategies to help them move better and with less pain.