Best Bed Rails For Seniors In Canada

What is a bed rail?

A bed rail or bed assist rail is a clinically approved senior support equipment designed to deliver stability and leverage for seniors when they are going to sit or lie down on the bed or waking up or getting out of it. It has different names such as adult bed rail, safety rail, mobility bed rail, support rail, bed handle, or even bed grab bar. Most bed rails for seniors are sturdy, made of steel and aluminum, with non foam soft handles for comfort, which you can tightly fasten to the bed frame, or some with adjustable legs that offer more stability on the floor.

Why are bed rails helpful for seniors?

Bed rails have several specific benefits that help to improve safety in seniors' living arrangements.

Prevent accidental falls and injuries

The main reason behind the invention of bed rail for seniors is to limit the potential risk of accidental slips and falls when they are trying to get up from the bed. When a secure and sturdy surface is placed beside the bed, it gives a sense of support to the seniors. Naturally, the probability of falling by losing balance is reduced. It has been seen that many older adults fall because they were unable to locate proper footing or moved too quickly after resting. Therefore, having a rail installed gives immediate stability.

Provides independence to seniors

You will often experience in your life that seniors who require support or assistance from others for basic activities do not ask for it as they value independence. The thought of doing all tasks on their own is indeed praiseworthy, but it comes with a cost: the risk of frequent fatal injuries. Therefore, when you install a bed rail, they can perform movements safely on their own. This indeed not only helps in preserving their physical health but also supports self esteem and emotional health by preventing the occurrence of anxiety or panic attacks commonly seen among the elderly.

Less Caregiver Pressure

Caregiver assistance is common for older adults in Canada. But as they have to constantly physically assist older adults, this takes a physical and mental toll on their back and shoulders. The bed rail for seniors helps them to stand or sit down on their own using their upper body strength without causing any sudden injury. This not only reduces the extreme workload of the caregiver but also prevents injuries to the hip, spine, or legs.

Improved comfort and confidence

Bed rails are not just for getting in and out of bed comfortably. Rather, they act as a shield for the elderly when they are rolling over during sleep. If you want to sit up on the bed to read, take medication, or adjust pillows, then there is no need to call anyone to help; you can do it on your own with the support of the bed rail.

Ideal for Home and Medical Use

This bed rail has multipurpose benefits. You can use it in a home bedroom, assisted living home care, or in guest rooms, offering a versatile solution. There are some models that have built in pouches where you can keep small, lightweight items like spectacles or medicines, phones, books, or magazines. This feature offers both functionality and convenience to seniors.

Best for seniors with physical conditions

Bed rails are not only for seniors who need support to get in and out of bed, but also for patients who are suffering from severe medical conditions such as pressure ulcers (bedsores) caused by long term pressure on the skin in full body paralyzed patients. These bedridden patients face problems changing their positions easily and finding a bed rail that is easy and comfortable. This bed rail will help them change position without causing any further damage to the skin and underlying tissue wounds. Apart from this, these bed rails are ideal for seniors who are struggling with Parkinsons, arthritis, or any other balance disorders.

Post surgical recovery assistance

If your parent or any other elderly individual has just undergone major surgery and is recovering, then facing problems with sitting or lying down on the bed is common. You can install a portable bed rail that can swing right under your bed. The bed rail is fixed at a point, creating a secure space for seniors to operate it comfortably without the risk of slipping away. This space is meant to remove the requirement to scoot in the middle of your bed while entering or exiting, preventing the risk of lower body injury.

Types of bed rails for seniors

There are different types of bed rails for seniors available in Canada. Some rails mount to the bed with nuts and bolts, while others use straps; you can also find portable rails, which you can adjust to your bed as needed without permanent installation.

Traditional Beds

This is one of the best bed rails for seniors, with multiple horizontal crossbars that offer handholding options. This design is iconic as it helps with repositioning without difficulty while sitting or lying in bed and getting in and out of it. The rails are attached directly to the bed with bolts, so there is no altering its position or the possibility of slipping away. These are best for those patients who are struggling with severe mental health conditions.

Patients suffering from Alzheimer's or any form of dementia have a habit of suddenly getting out of bed unsafely, resulting in falls and injuries. The set of long rails will act as a safety precaution for the person rolling out of bed when they feel agitated in sleep. This comes in several sizes, such as half length, single sided, double sided, and full length, so choose as per your suitability. As these are available in different heights, they can be adjusted to the seniors’ height as well. But this full length traditional bed needs to be used under strict supervision of a qualified caregiver.

Bed Assist Rail with Adjustable Feet

The vertical legs of the bed do the main work, transferring the user’s body weight to the ground when they put pressure on the bed rail while standing up or sitting down. This medical device also comes with some useful parts, including a board and straps that you can mount between the mattress and the bed surface, stabilizing the rail and preventing it from slipping away while sitting. The installation is very simple; you do not have to bolt it to the bed frame permanently. As it is placed on the ground, it gives more stability to the user.

Bed Assist Rail (without feet)

It is also one of the best bed rails for seniors, widely popular among Canadian households. The L-shaped longer side of the bed rail is designed to sit right under the mattress and the surface of the bed, and the short side is extended upward to provide a strong hand holding position for the users. In this bed, you will also find a board, rails, and a strap for stability. These can be easily installed and, when adjusted to the right bed (heavy queen or king sized), also offer proper stability while bearing weight. Both the length and height of this bed rail can be adjusted as per your needs, and it also comes with small storage space, making users’ lives more convenient. As these are adjusted under the bed with the board, it makes it more portable and favorable for users while traveling.

Bed Handle

As the height of this bed rail is short and it has a narrow design, they do not take up much space. These are generally installed in a fixed place on the bed. These are ideal for those seniors who just need some assistance, like getting in and out of bed, not completely depending on them for heavy duty stability. Therefore, if you need minimal stability, this is the one for you.

5 best bed rails for seniors

Below, the 5 best bed rails for seniors are discussed that help them to get in and out of bed and prevent accidental falls.

Sizing guide for seniors to buy bed rails

Before buying bed rails for seniors, follow this sizing guide

• Standard rails fit into a 30 cm to 46 cm thick mattress
• The top of the rail should sit at least 10 inches above the mattress
• Half-length bed rails are sized between 26 cm and 60 cm long
• Adjustable bed rails extend from 20 cm up to 90-110 cm.
• The adjustable gaps between straps need to be under 12cm.

Safety Tips for Seniors When Using a Bed Assist Rail

Follow these safety tips before buying bed rails for seniors

• When buying a bed rail, make sure it has non slip foam or rubber padded grip
• Always choose a bed rail that is double the weight of the user
• Look for ASTM F3186-17 certification with a snug mattress gap design
• Check the locking mechanism along with straps preventing the shifting of full body weight
• It's better if you do not place the bed rail too far from the edge of the bed
• There should not be any space more than 2.5 to 3.5 inches between the mattress and the bed rail that could cause accidents, like limbs or hands getting trapped accidentally
• If mounted with screws and nuts, then check more often, as they may loosen due to wear
• Try to buy bed rails with motion lights that make it easier for nighttime movements.
• Apply furniture wax to keep metal surfaces far away from rust common in the hot and humid climate of Canada.

Installation Guidelines for Bed Rails for Seniors

Installing bed rails for seniors is a 6 step process that you can either do on your own or with someone’s help.

• Assemble all the components of the bed rail
• Then raise to shoulder height for an easy push up motion while lying down
• After that, slowly insert the rail between the mattress and the bed surface
• Then position the rail about pillow width from the head for easy reach while getting up
• After that, attach the safety strap around the bed frame without leaving any extra gap between the mattress and bed surface
• Lastly, check its stability before primary use.

When bed rails are not always recommended for Seniors

Generally, bed rails are safe for seniors, but when not placed properly or adjusted to the right bed, it may be risky for seniors. The main problem is that there is a chance of a limb being trapped in the rail bars of the bed or between the mattress and the rail. Especially seniors with Alzheimer's have a higher probability of being in this kind of situation. Their mental confusion will lead to a situation where they will try to climb over the rail, which increases the risk of a fall. If the bed rail is not properly raised and adjusted to the user’s height, it could be life threatening. Therefore, if you do not know how to use bed rails, then learn about their functioning before using them.

What alternatives to bed rails are ideal for seniors?

If bed rails are not appropriate for you, there are other similar safety devices, including,

• Pressure alarm mats will alert a caregiver when the elderly individual tries to get out of bed.
• Pre exit bed alarms will first warn the individual before they suddenly get up and out of bed.
• A floor to ceiling transfer pole also offers a safe pull up point for the seniors
• You can simply lower the bed as per the height, sitting, and lying down stability of the senior
• A bed bumper is also great, as it alerts the person when they attempt to roll over the edge.

Ironically, most overlooked accidents in the home occur around the bed. These accidents result in serious fractures, which greatly affect lifelong mobility for elderly people. Thus, one must have something strong, mobile, and simple to place medical assisted equipment for bed support to avoid these accidents. Bed rails for seniors will help you be safe and more independent without any constant caregiver supervision. Not only that, but these rails make aging in place a comfortable and safer option, keeping family members worry free.