A Complete Guide to Bed Safety Rails for the Elderly

As people get older, daily tasks that were once easy can become a little trickier. Often, this is because of decreased mobility, whether it’s due to stiffness from arthritis, decreased strength and balance due to ageing, or even tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease.

What kinds of activities can become harder for elderly people who struggle with mobility? All sorts of motions can be challenging, but transitions from one position to another can be a particular source of trouble. That means movements like standing up, sitting down, or getting in and out of bed and the bath or shower. Some older people may have difficulty with rolling or sliding out of bed, too – particularly if they experience tremors or seizures.

The good news is that many tools are available to help seniors stay safe in these situations. For example, riser chairs can allow older people to stand up more easily in the living room, while bathroom adaptations like grab bars provide assistance with bathing.

One similarly useful piece of equipment for the bedroom is called a bed rail. In this post, we’ll discuss what a bed rail is, how it can help the elderly and how to get one if you need one.

What is a bed rail?

It’s important to clarify that the term “bed rail” can be used to mean two different types of rails. Both can be useful in their own ways.

1. Rails to prevent a person from rolling out of bed

Sometimes people use “bed rail” to mean a railing designed to prevent someone from rolling off the side of the bed. Profiling beds, which are like hospital beds for your home, can include railings for that purpose. You can also purchase bed safety rails that can be added to the side of an existing bed.

2. Rails that provide a sturdy point to hold on to

The other type of bed rail is sometimes called a bed rail stand, bed grab rail or bed grab handle. This type of equipment is intended to provide a secure place to grip for an older person who is manoeuvring in and out of bed. In other words, it's more like a very large handle for your bed.

How bed rails work

Both types of bed rail can potentially be fitted to the sides of an ordinary bed via metal pieces that slide under the mattress to hold the device securely in place. Some types also attach to the side of the bed frame.

Although the design of both types of rail can be quite similar, a bed safety rail meant to prevent rolling is often broader, while a bed grab rail is smaller. There are some types of rail that can be used for both purposes – but not all safety rails can safely bear someone’s weight, so it’s crucial to check what your rail can and cannot do before you buy.

How bed rails can benefit the elderly

Getting in and out of bed can be difficult for an older person with stiff joints or weak muscles. Having a secure place to hold onto can help a senior retain their balance and feel more confident in their movements. It can also help them get out of bed more quickly and independently, which can provide an important sense of freedom and autonomy.

Plus, if there is nothing to grab onto when an older person is getting out of bed, a slight loss of balance could cause them to instinctively grab anything nearby. That could result in broken items or even a dangerous fall.

Moreover, a bed grab rail can also help a person to move around in bed. For example, a person might find it helpful to pull on the bed rail to bring themself up to a sitting position.

And, of course, a bed safety rail can provide an important buffer against the danger of falling out of bed.

Who might want a bed rail?

There are many situations when an older person might benefit from a bed rail. Symptoms that can make getting in and out of bed difficult can include:

• Weaker muscles
• Unsteady balance
• Tremors
• Stiffness
• Limited movement
• Pain when moving

Essentially, if an elderly person finds that getting into bed and out of it is becoming hindersome or stressful, they might want to ask their doctor or physical therapist if a bed rail could help.

All this being said, a bed rail is not right for everyone. For example, elderly people with dementia are at risk of being confused by the bed rail, which could mean they injure themselves on it as they try to move around. In these situations, a profiling bed that lowers to ground level may be a safer choice to prevent harm from rolling out of bed.

Bed rails can also come with dangers of their own. For example, if the rail is not fitted properly to the bed, seniors can potentially get parts of their body or even their head trapped in the gap between the rail and the mattress. In short, it’s essential for bed rails to be fitted properly and used appropriately, according to the government’s guidance. It’s probably best to seek advice from a professional when deciding to use either type of bed rail.

Where to get a bed rail

Bed rails can be quite affordable to buy, as some of them are very simple in design.

Living made easy is a site that provides a listing of many bed rails available on the market and where to buy them. It also allows you to compare different devices to decide what’s best for your needs.

You could also try searching to see if bed rails are available at a mobility or safety equipment store near you.

Furthermore, bed rails may be available on the NHS for free following a falls risk assessment or a hospital discharge.

This is because the NHS takes falls in the elderly very seriously. It knows that a fall can have significant health consequences for an older person, so it has created initiatives to help prevent falls before they happen. If an elderly person is at risk of rolling out of bed or falling while transferring in and out of bed, the NHS might provide a bed rail to help reduce the risk.

If you are an older person who believes a bed rail could help you, you might want to seek a home assessment from your local council. They will send someone to walk around your home and discuss which activities are difficult or dangerous for you and what equipment could help. You could also ask your GP for advice about fall prevention programmes in your area.

Mitigating fall risks with SureSafe

Taking steps to reduce the risk of falling is always a smart move for an elderly person. Moreover, preventing one of the worst outcomes of a fall – a “long lie” – is especially crucial.

A long lie occurs when a person who has fallen is unable to get up from the floor for an hour or more. It’s known to have particular health effects of its own, including hypothermia and fear about falls in the future.

How can you prevent a long lie? Getting a bed grab rail might help, but it’s also key to ensure that an older person can call for help if they need to in case a fall does happen.

An elderly personal alarm does just that. Its one-touch alarm function means that an older person just needs to press and hold one button to call for assistance. And since the alarm is worn as a watch or pendant, it’s always within reach, even if a phone on the top of a table isn’t.

What’s more, fall detection technology means that the alarm’s wearer doesn’t have to press a button at all. An alarm with fall detection can sense a fall and call for help all on its own.

At SureSafe, we’re dedicated to protecting older people through alarms offering these functions and many more. To learn more about what alarm might suit you, or just why we’re so highly reviewed, give our expert team a ring at 0808 189 1671. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us through live chat or request a call back.