You’ve come to the correct place if you’re seeking for advice on how to pick the finest bed rails for older elders. Bed rails of various forms and brands exist on the market, making the appropriate decision difficult for elders and their carers. Continue reading to learn what to look for when purchasing a bed rail for an aging senior.
But…what exactly is a bed rail?
A bed rail, sometimes known as a bed handle, is an attachable and detachable extension built along the side of a bed to lessen the danger of falling from the bed (particularly at night), give support while moving oneself in bed, and make climbing on and getting off the bed easier.
Bed rails are often composed of steel, aluminum, tough plastic, or other durable materials and available in a variety of forms, shapes, and sizes. Because beds come in a variety of forms, a bed rail generally has attachments that allow it to be used with a variety of bed kinds.
Some bed rails are long enough to stretch the whole length of the bed’s side, while others only cover half, a quarter, or even a percentage of it. Some are also adjustable in length.
Why are bed rails necessary for elderly seniors?
Every year, millions of senior adults in the United States fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And the majority of these falls result in a variety of health consequences, some of which are fatal. This explains why it is essential to take all required steps to avoid falls in the elderly (seniors).
Because beds account for a considerable proportion of falls among the elderly, it is critical to avoid overnight falls from beds. Bed rails are the greatest approach to achieve this since they serve to provide a supportive and helpful sleeping environment for seniors and the elderly.
Best bed rails for elderly seniors: What to look for before buying
Whether you’re an elderly senior or caregiver looking to buy a bed rail, there are certain features you need to look for before making your choice. And are some important ones.
- Length: Your choice of length depends on the user’s likelihood of slipping out of bed. For users who move a lot during their sleep, a bed rail that spans at least half of the length of the bed is ideal.
- Adjustability: Bed rails with adjustable length are better than those with fixed length because user needs might vary over time.
- Strength: Because bed rails are meant to offer support, it goes without saying that they should be made with strong materials. Bed rails made of durable steel, aluminum, tough plastic or other hard materials are preferable. You sure don’t want to replace a broken bed rail anytime soon.
- Ease of installation: While some bed rails are very easy to install without any tools or previous experience, some are so complicated that they require some tools or expert knowledge to install them. Of course, you don’t want spend extra to hire someone to help you with the installation. A bed rail that is easy to install and detach is always better.
- Reversible design: Your ideal bed rail is one with a reversible design that makes it suitable for either side of the bed, not one that is designed for just one side.
- Weight capacity: Each bed rail has a maximum weight it can support. While most can support weights of up to 300 pounds, you might need more resilient ones if the user is overweight or obese.
Best bed rails for elderly seniors (review)
As previously said, choosing the appropriate bed rail may be a mind-boggling process owing to the vast quantity of possibilities on the market.
We did, however, perform a comparison study on various kinds and brands of bed rails accessible in internet marketplaces. We wanted to determine the best bed rails based on user feedback, brand trust, manufacturer support, and the key criteria mentioned above. And our objective was to assist you in making the best decision possible while saving you time and energy.
Based on our results, these are the three greatest bed rails on the market in the United States right now.
1. Stander EZ Adjust & Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail
The Stander EZ Adjust & Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail is a long-lasting bed rail that also functions as a bed handle. Its length may be simply modified from 26 inches to 34 inches to 42 inches, according on your preference.
As a result, the length may be adjusted while the user is in bed and preparing to sleep to offer optimal fall protection. And, after the user has awoken, the length may be lowered to eliminate impediment while getting in and out of bed. The rail can accommodate up to 300 pounds of human weight.
The Stander EZ Adjust & Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail is made of attractive polished steel and is durable, strong, and innovatively built. It may be connected to most standard and hospital beds, including brands such as Tempurpedic, Leggett & Platt, Ergomotion, Serta Pranasleep, Sleepnumber, and others. It also works nicely with platform beds. However, installation techniques may differ somewhat from one bed to the next.
In addition to the adjustable length, the Stander EZ Adjust & Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail has a 180-degree pivot capability. When not in use, the rail may be flipped down by 180 degrees to keep it totally out of the way of the user until it is required again. Furthermore, it has an organizer bag that may comfortably carry little objects you prefer to have near to you when in bed, such as your remote control, smartphone charger, and so on.
The installation is simple, but you may require an additional tool – a wrench. Fortunately, it is included in the product box, so you do not need to purchase one. It also has a safety strap.
What we like
- Adjustable length (26″ through 34″ to 42″)
- Can be pivoted down by 180 degrees when not in use
- Supports up to 300 pounds user weight
- Easy installation
- Suitable for either side of the bed
- Compatible with most traditional and hospital beds
- Comes with safety strap and organizer pouch
- Bestselling bed rail on Amazon.com
What we dislike
- Not suitable for users weighing over 300 pounds
- Installation might be not-so-straightforward for few bed types
2. Stander Bed Rail Advantage Folding Travel Bed Rail
The Stander Bed Rail Advantage Bed Rail is a simpler but more durable bed rail and handle. It has the benefits of portability and foldability, making it ideal for travel. Although it lacks the flexibility to modify the length, it can carry weights of up to 400 pounds, making it an excellent choice for overweight people.
Although the manufacturer claims that the Stander Bed Rail Advantage Bed Rail is compatible with most regular and hospital beds, we discovered that it is better suited for box spring beds and isn’t suitable for platform beds. It also does not work with sponge mattresses.
The Stander Bed Rail Advantage Bed Rail is simple to install and requires no tools. The rail has a 4-pocket organizer bag for keeping small objects near the bed. In terms of ergonomics, it has a cushion grip handle that the user may grab when getting in and out of bed.
Unlike our top option, the Stander Bed Rail Advantage Bed Rail cannot be turned down out of the way of the user, but it can be removed more simply. And, like the others on our list, it comes with a safety strap for added security.
What we like
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to fold for travel
- Very strong — can support up to 400 pounds of user weight
- Comes with safety strap and organizer pouch
- Can be easily installed without tools
- Suitable for either side of the bed
- Relative cheap
What we dislike
- Length cannot be adjusted
- Works best with bed with box spring
- Doesn’t work with sponge type mattresses
3. Stander 30″ Home Safety Adult Bed Rail
Another excellent alternative for individuals seeking for a reliable bed rail for older elders is the Stander 30′′ Home Safety Adult Bed Rail. The rail is stylishly designed and may be used on either side of the bed. It is compatible with a variety of bed kinds and designs. It’s composed of power-coated steel, so there’s no uncertainty about its durability.
The Stander 30′′ Home Safety Adult Bed Rail, like our top option, pivots down by 180 degrees, allowing the rail to be entirely out of the way when not in use. This bed rail, however, lacks the changeable length option seen in our top selection.
The Stander 30′′ Home Safety Adult Bed Rail is simple to install, although certain beds may need the provided wrench. The bed rail also has a safety strap and a storage compartment for magazines, remote controls, and other small objects.
What we like
- Exceptional strength
- Can flipped down by 180 degrees
- Padded organizer pouch
- Easy to install
- Suitable for either side of the bed
- Compatible with most beds
What we dislike
- Lacks adjustable height feature
- Not suitable for overweight users