BestLiftChair.net
Taking care of your loved ones is not an easy task. It may sometimes be challenging, and it is 24/7 job. Luckily for anyone who is in that position, there are plenty of things that can help. According to statistics, more than a 1/3 of the elderly falls are out of bed. That means they can get terribly injured, and as you may well know, recovery is a lengthy process in old age, which is why the best thing you could do for the ones you care is to purchase something that can prevent falls and injuries. A bed rail will help with that.
A bed rail is a simple device that you need to attach to your loved one’s bed. It has a simple mechanism; it comes in various sizes and models, and it will prevent falling out of bed, as well as providing help with getting in and out of bed.
The benefits of a bed rail
When you purchase an item, the first thing on your mind is if that particular product will be of any help or not. As you can imagine, a bed rail is more than useful. It comes with plenty of advantages, which is why more and more people buy it for their elderly relatives. Here are the most notable benefits.
- It provides safety and security – a bed rail will make sleeping a lot safer than without it. Many elderly individuals fall out of bed during the night because they twist and turn. That is also the case with people who suffer from dementia. A bed rail will prevent that from happening. If you think about it, it works just like a bed rail for small children. It is the same principle, different age group.
- Getting in or out of bed is easier – it is a known fact that old people have trouble with getting in and out of bed. That is because their mobility is impaired. A bed rail will provide excellent support for those actions, and the chances of falling are slim to none.
- Some models have pouches – you may be wondering what that has to do with anything. The truth is that a pouch is very helpful at keeping some items nearby. It can be a book, a bottle of water, or the remote. That means that the person who is laying in bed is no longer obligated to get out of bed for some of the things he or she may need. The idea behind that is the fewer times you get out of bed, the smaller the chances for a fall are. Simple as that.
Some drawbacks have been reported as well. However, they apply for a particular category of people. I am talking about individuals who have dementia. Cases have been reported in which people caught their arms, legs, and even heads between the rails. If the person for which you are buying a bed rail is known to have that problem, you should talk to a professional and check if it is a good idea to purchase one.
How to choose the best bed rail
Since there are many models out there, finding the best bed rail is not difficult. It depends on how much you want to invest in such an item. You must also know what to consider. There are many factors that make a bed rail worth investing in, but some things are more important than others. Here are a few things you should look at.
- Construction – a bed rail is supposed to have a sturdy construction. After all, it is meant to support a person’s weight. Usually, bed rails come with a high-quality Just make sure that you do not buy the cheapest metal you can find. Otherwise, the person who will be using the bed rail can get severely injured.
- Adjustability – this is a significant When not in use, the person who uses the product should be able to use it as a support handle. That means you need to choose a model that is adjustable in length. Luckily, there are various models that come with this feature. During the day, they can be retracted to a particular length, and during the night, they can be extended for a safe night’s sleep.
- Versatility – when looking for a bed rail, you need one that is versatile. What does that mean? It means that it can be attached to various beds. As you can imagine, not all beds are created equal, and bed rail manufacturers do not make a bed rail for every single bed there is on the market. That is why a bed rail that has adjustable settings is ideal. You should pay attention to that detail if you do not want to send the bed rail back on account that it does not fit.
- Additional features – bed rails come with various features. You can live without some of them, but others prove to be quite useful. For example, pouches keep essential items in proximity. That will spare the person in bed from getting out too often. As a result, the less he or she gets out of bed, the slimmer the chances of falling are. Isn’t that the whole reason for buying a bed rail? Pouches can hold books, glasses, remote, phone, and much more. Night lights are useful as well. Problems with balance and mobility can cause many issues, but so does the absence of light.
FDA Entrapment Free Zone
I mentioned somewhere above that there are a few drawbacks to some bed rails. That is because people with mental issues (and not only) can get their legs or hands entrapped between the rails. Sometimes, the head can get stuck as well. However, bed rails manufacturers have acknowledged the issue and worked on fixing it. It is safe to say that they succeeded, which is why some models come with an entrapment free zone. What does that mean? It means that a particular product is safe. There is absolutely no chance of entrapment. Those are the models you need to be looking at. They are not more expensive than regular bed rails, but their design is better, which is why it would be a smart move to choose a bed rail with an entrapment free zone.
What is the best bed rail?
I did not try them all to say which one is the best. However, what I can say is that some models are better than others. The best I can do is offer you some suggestions. Here are top three of the best bed rails I could find. I hope it is of help.
Able Life Bedside Extend-A-Rail
Able life is well known for its assistance devices. The company manufactures all kinds of products that are meant to be of help. The good news is that they produce high-quality products are very reasonable prices. This one makes no exception. It is one of the most popular bed rails online, and it is very easy to see why. It is made of powder coated steel and has a capacity of 300 pounds.
The Able Life bed rail is extendable. It can go from 20 inches to 30 inches in a simple move. During the day it can be used as an assist handle, for which 20 inches are more than enough, and during the night, you can extend it to 30 inches to prevent falls. It provides excellent help when the person using it is trying to get in and out of bed.
The product is extremely versatile. It comes with a reversible safety rail, which means you can place the device on either side of the bed. It goes with most beds, even those that are adjustable, and the package contains a safety strap as well for more stability. People have been using this product for regular beds, but with hospital-grade beds as well. You should have no problems with the installation. Entrapment is a non-issue with this bed rail. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
Stander EZ Adjust and Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail
The bed rail from Stander is very similar to the previous model from Able Life, but since it has a few more features, it has a higher price. Not by much, and as far as I can judge, it is worth it. It has the same adjustability, but there is a slight difference. The model from Stander has three available adjustment settings, from 26 inches to 34, and then to 42 inches. Just like the previous model, it can be used both as a device to prevent night falls, but during the day it can be used as an assist handle. That will make getting in and out of bed a piece of cake.
Unlike the Able Life model, the Stander can pivot down 180º when it is not in use. I find that to be a very useful feature. That makes changing the sheets easier, and the person who is taking care of the elder has an easy job as well. The weight capacity for this model is 300 pounds.
The Stander bed rail comes with a reversible safety rail. You can install the device on either side of the bed. It can be attached to most beds as long as the height of the mattress is between 12 and 18 inches. The product also comes with a case that can be placed over the rails, and the pouch can accommodate several items that the person in bed may be using. It comes in handy in various situations. Just as with the previous model, entrapment is not possible with the Stander EZ bed rail. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
SturdyCare Bed Rail for Elderly with Bonus Magnetic Nightlight
The SturdyCare bed rail has a different design than the other two models, but it is just as efficient. At first glance, you may think that entrapment may be an issue, but you have no cause for concern. The product has been tested numerous times, and there is no danger of getting stuck between the rails.
The product is made of high-quality materials. It is for both night time, to prevent falls, but it can be used as an assist handle during the day. The product has done wonders for old people, but for individuals who have been recovering from surgery as well. It is a solid bed rail that will make your life or the life of someone you love much easier.
You can install this device on various beds. It does not matter that it is a king size, queen size, low mattress or platform. As far as versatility is concerned, this product is ideal. It can be adjusted in height from 17 inches to 21 inches. The weight capacity is 300 pounds. The top railing is covered in foam for more comfort, and the fact that the product has an under the mattress portion makes it more stable
As a bonus, you will receive a nightlight with the bed rail. It can prove to be extremely efficient during the night when the person using the bed rail has to get up and go to the bathroom or drink a glass of water. Darkness can be just as dangerous as the lack of balance. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.
My recommendation
It is a tough choice. All three products are reliable and efficient. However, if I had to choose, I would go with the Stander EZ Adjust and Pivoting Adult Home Bed Rail. It has plenty of useful features, it has an excellent price, and people who have been using it are more than satisfied with their purchase. That is why I consider it to be the best bed rail that you can buy.
Conclusion
Safety is paramount in all matters. However, sometimes it is hard to do some basic actions, which is why help is needed. Bed rails are simple, but they can change someone’s life. Easily. Finding the right for you or the person you care for is not difficult. All you have to do is choose one of the models above. Whichever you choose, I can guarantee that you will be satisfied with your choice. click here to buy it on Amazon