Best Bed Rails and Safety Handles for Seniors

People tend to associate the danger of falling out of bed with young children and while it is certainly a frequent problem, do not forget that elderly people can also experience similar issues, often with devastating consequences. Not only could they roll out of bed in their sleep, they could also experience bad falls when attempting to lie down or stand up without the physical strength to properly support themselves. According to the CDC, falls are the number one cause of injury for seniors, and a tumble from bed could be serious and even fatal when the body is already weakened by age. Taking preventative measures is crucial and installing handles or railings for support could mean all the difference in the world.

The most responsible choice is to invest in proper equipment. Hospital beds are an option, but they are expensive and often unnecessary. It makes more sense to look for a solution that adds the needed features to the existing bed that you already have. There are a multitude of different bed rails available that can be fitted to most bedframes, but the best are those that can be installed tool-free. As far as stability goes, the difficulty of the installation does not necessarily correlate with the level of safety provided, so keep that in mind before choosing a product.

The most important thing to remember is that you should not use a nightstand for support. If you are unable to get to your feet without help and do not have a handle to provide aid, then the safest alternative is to ask someone for help. Of course, this situation is just what most people would rather avoid and it is not exactly convenient anyway, especially if the need to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night arises. But safety should always be your primary concern.

Some people like to have the bar around shoulder height, while others find it more comfortable to have it by their waist. If rolling off the bed in your sleep is an issue, then it would be smart to purchase a bar that can be extended to the sides. This feature may cost quite a lot, however, so the next best thing you can do is position a narrower bar further down so it keeps your hips on the mattress.

When it comes to the process of standing, you should always start by rolling onto your side, facing the direction that you will be getting up in. Do not struggle to sit up in bed before you have had the chance to slide your feet off. Once your legs are down far enough, straightening up will be much easier and you will be able to pull yourself upright with the help of the rail, at which point the bar can be used to push yourself into a standing position.

Counting on every eventuality is the safest bet. Accidents can happen at any time regardless of the steps taken to prevent them, even after installing a bed assist handle or ensuring there is nothing underfoot to trip on. As such, for those unfortunate situations it is wise to have something like a medical alert system or a bed alarm as extra safety nets. Wearable fall detection buttons are especially useful since immediate help can be dispatched in an emergency, even if the wearer of the button is unable to move or talk after a fall.