How do I pick the best bed rails for seniors Forbes Health?
Bed rails offer safety with their various types for seniors, especially those with mobility issues, and enhance their life quality by helping them to live more independently. That said, those who have certain health conditions, such as any kind of dementia, might be entrapped if they use bed rails.
Bed rails might also be problematic for those who suffer from confusion, lack of muscle control, or restlessness. In these cases, using roll guards or foam mats are better options. When buying a bed rail, one must know what type they want. Portable bed rails are not part of the bed and have different styles such as bed rails with legs, legless bed rails, fold-down bed rails, crossbar bed rails, and dual bed rails, while hospital bed rails are all pretty much the same.
They should also consider the compatibility of a bed rail with the mattress and bed frame they own, and even after installation, check the bed rails now and then for any signs of loosening, shifting, or gaps. Standard bed rails that follow FDA regulations are 18 inches to 4 feet long, mostly less than 10 pounds, and cost between $30 to $150.
Bed rails can come with additional features such as a height-adjustable grab bar, safety strap, adjustable bed step stool, LED night light to prevent falling, a storage pouch, contoured ergonomic grips for multiple gripping positions, etc.