Independence is a simple concept. The most basic meaning is to have full autonomy over your own life. A huge lesson we learn when we enter adulthood is HOW to be independent - and those who learn this are often more successful!

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As we get older, we face more and more obstacles that prevent us from being independent. Most of us fight to keep our independence, especially when it's regarding a daily living task, like getting dressed and preparing meals. Another daily living task that everyone faces is the act of getting in and out of bed. 

Getting out of bed is one of the first things you do each morning, and if you are having a difficult time doing so, it can set a bad tone for the rest of the day. A safety bed rail can help you remain safer and more independent in your own bed, and contribute to making aging in place a comfortable and safe option.

With so many options on the market, this article will help you choose the best one for your situation. This guide is packed full of everything you need to know about bed rails for homecare beds, and we recommend best-selling products along the way!

What is a bed assist rail? 

A bed assist rail, also called an adult bed rail, safety rail, mobility bed rail, support rail, bed handle, or bed grab bar, goes along the side of the bed to prevent a person from rolling out of bed. It can also be used to help the person get repositioned in bed or provide stability when transferring in and out of bed. These rails are usually designed to fit on traditional home style beds. Since falls cause potentially major injuries that can involve extended hospital stays, minimizing the risk of a fall can have a direct impact on quality of life. 

What are the types of bed rails?

There are a handful of different types of bed rails for seniors. Some rails mount to the bed with bolts, some mount by strap, and some are portable. This section covers all the different types of bed rails that fit homecare style beds. Read more to determine which type is best for you!

Traditional Bed Rails

When you think of a “traditional bed rail”, this is it! If you are concerned about fall risk, this bed rail is your best choice. Multiple horizontal cross bars provide options for handholds, making this design versatile to assist with repositioning while in bed and transferring into and out of bed. They can also, when designed correctly, prevent entrapment for users who can’t independently change positions. These rails typically attach directly to the bed with bolts. They can be half-length, full-length, single-sided, or double-sided. 

Pros:

• Available in choice of half or full-length
• Can be single sided or double sided (dual)
• Extra hand holds to use when rolling over
• Rails of different heights make it easier to push up to a standing position
• Prevent entrapment

Cons:

• Take up more space than other models
• Have an institutional look

Best Bed Rails: Tool Free Adjustable Length Home Style Bed Rail System

Bed Assist Rail with Adjustable Feet

This type of bed rail is primarily designed to help users safely enter/exit their bed. It is often referred to as an assist rail. With its vertical legs, this bed rail transfers weight down to the floor when a user stands up and exerts pressure on the rail for stability. This device also comes with a board, rail, or strap that slips between the mattress and box spring, which helps stabilize the rail and keep it in place. The installation is usually simple, and it doesn’t bolt to your bed frame. Because it sits on the floor, under-bed access can be impacted i.e., it will be an obstacle when you are vacuuming around the bed. 

Pros:

• Good for people who can walk 
• Provides extra help in getting up out of bed
• Easy to install
• Multiple stabilization points

Cons:

• Not appropriate for wheelchair users
• Creates an under-bed obstacle

Best Bed Assist Rail with Adjustable Feet:LumaRail Bed Rail Assist Bar by Platinum Health

Bed Assist Rail (without feet)

This is another bed rail that is commonly called an assist rail. The longer side of this L-shape design slips between the mattress and box spring, while the short side extends up to provide a handhold. This rail also includes a board, rail, or strap for stability. These rails are easy to install and when used with the right bed, provide good stability when bearing weight. Length and height adjustability are often available, and many models offer built-in storage. The types that are stabilized with a board under the bed are highly portable and are loved by users that travel.

Pros:

• Easy to install and uninstall
• Works with heavy queen or king-sized mattresses
• Promotes stability when getting in and out of bed
• Some models have adjustable height handle
• Optional features include adjustability and additional storage
• Some models are highly portable

Cons:

• Less stable when used with lighter mattress
• Can tilt forward when not used with heavier mattress

Best Bed Assist Rail: LumaRail Bed Assist Rail by Platinum Health

Bed Handle

With a lower profile and narrow design, these models take up very little space. They are usually mounted in place at a single fixed point on the bed. They are easy to install, and are best for people who need some leverage when getting in and out of bed, and not for those who need a high weight-bearing stability device.

Pros:

• Not as conspicuous as other designs
• Less of an institutional feel
• Take up less space than larger models
• Easy to install
• Good for users who need minimal stability assistance

Cons:

• Not designed for significant weight bearing
• Handle may wiggle when being used for support

Best Bed Handle: Bed Cane Grab Bar for Sit-To-Stand Assistance

Bed Steps with Rails

If a stationary bed is too high, steps with rails can help a user safely transfer in and out of bed. They do not mount to the bed, but often come with straps to secure them in position. They are available in a range of step widths, heights, and weight capacities, to best fit the bed and the user.

Pros: 

• Reduce strain on hips and knees
• Help maintain independence to be able to get in and out of bed unassisted
• Adjustable for a perfect fit
• Easily removed

Cons: 

• Not mounted directly to the bed
• Can be a trip hazard in the dark 

Best Bed Step with Rail: Step 2 Bed Bedroom Step and Handrail

Bed Rails for Patient Conditions

Fall Risk Patients

People who have memory issues, trouble sleeping, incontinence, uncontrolled body movements are at a greater risk of a bed fall. The proper bed rail can lower the risk of a fall when relied on for stability. Full length, dual bed rails are recommended.

Best Bed Rail for Fall Risk: Reduced Gap Full-Length Bed Rails

Patients with Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. People who are bedridden and are unable to easily change positions are at a greater risk of these skin and underlying tissue injuries. A bed rail that helps a user change positions is a valuable tool to lower the risk of developing pressure wounds.

Best Bed Rail for Repositioning:  Halo Safety Wings and Halo Safety Rings

Caregiver Ergonomics 

Fold down bed rails are best for patients who often require caregiver assistance. Also known as swing down bed rails, this style folds down for easy caregiver access to the bed. Since it swings out and down, the amount of available bedside clearance must be considered. Optional features include adjustable lengths and additional storage. This type of best rail also allows space for bedside tables to be rolled in. 

Best Bed Rail for Caregiver Ergonomics: EZ Length Adjustable Bed Assist Rail

Post Surgery

When recovering from an operation, bed rails could play a vital role in your recovery. Since you will probably be using this rail for short-term, consider a rail that meets your needs while remaining affordable. We suggest a bed rail that can pivot and swing away from your bed. When the rail is pivoted, it creates an unobstructed space for entry/exit. This space eliminates the need to scoot to the middle of your bed for entry/exit, which can be difficult if you are recovering from a leg injury. 

Best Bed Rail for Post Op: HealthCraft Smart-Rail Bed Assist System

Visiting Relatives

A removable bed rail is handy if you have older relatives visiting. Find one that attaches to your guest bed easily, and if you get one that has pockets for extra storage, so your guests can keep their important personal items close by.

Best Portable Bed Rails: Bed Rail Advantage Portable Bedside Safety Handle

Limited Patient Mobility

If it’s difficult for a user to maneuver in bed to reach things like a , tv remote, book, or medicine, a bed rail with a convenient storage pouch will reduce the strain from leaning to try to retrieve personal items.

Best Bed Rail with Storage: Signature Life Sleep Safe Home Bed Rail

Sit to Stand Assistance

A floor-to-ceiling grab pole provides extra sturdy mobility assistance when transferring between sitting and standing. Although not technically a bed rail, it can be permanently installed at the bedside, or in any room of the house. With multiple grab positions, it provides stability and balance during every stage of the sit-to-stand-to-sit motion.

Best Floor To Ceiling Pole: HealthCraft SuperPole with SuperBar

Features to Consider Before Purchasing 

Weight Capacity 

Because safety is the number one priority and reason for getting a bed safety rail, knowing it can provide adequate support and stability is the first consideration. Be sure the safety rail you buy can accommodate the weight of the user.

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Type of Bed

Not every rail will work with every style of bed. Adjustable beds, even those for residential use, might not work with every bed safety rail. Some rails require a box spring, while others work best when used with larger sized mattresses to keep them secure. The type and size of the mattress will affect how the safety rails will fit. The height of the bed should be considered too, because if the bed is too low, it might not be able to accommodate a folding bedrail. 

Adjustability 

Some safety bed rails have a fixed height and others are height adjustable. To determine if a height adjustable model is the best choice, it’s important to measure correctly. For maximum adjustability, some models are length-adjustable too.

Length

For someone who has a tendency to roll out of bed, a full-length bed rail will provide the most safety. A full length rail will also help a user sleeping on an alternating pressure air mattress to turn from side to side. For people with more mobility, a half-length rail allows someone who can move more independently to swing their legs over the edge of the bed and use the rail for stability while rising to a standing position.

Who Will be Operating the Bed Rails

Caregiver availability is a consideration, since some safety rails cannot be raised and lowered without another person’s assistance. If a caregiver is not available, and the user is strong enough and has the coordination to operate them, some models can be operated without assistance.

FAQ

Q: How do you use a bed assist rail?

A: A bed assist bed rail provides safety from falling out of bed, can be grabbed onto for leverage to change positions in bed, and can be leaned on for stability when getting in and out of bed. 

Q: Are bed rails safe for the elderly?

A: Yes, they are safe if they are installed and used correctly. Entrapment can be an issue, so the user’s physical limitations need to be matched with the proper rail design. Also, padding is available to decrease the risk of entrapment if it is a concern.

Q: When should you use bed rails for adults?

A: If a user is unstable on their feet, needing assistance to avoid falls when getting in and out of bed, if there is a risk of falling out of bed, or if a user needs something to grab onto to help get repositioned in bed, a bed rail can be a great tool to help them retain independence.

Q: Can you put rails on a regular bed?

A: Although some safety bed rails are specifically made to fit hospital type beds, the bed rails in this article are all designed for use with traditional residential beds.

Q: What are the benefits of assist rails?

A: Bed assist rails can help users retain independence, using the rails to help them reposition themselves in bed and leaning on the rails for more stability when getting in and out of bed. 

Q: How do I choose a bed rail?

A: Measure the bed so you choose one that best fits, choose one that can accommodate the weight of the user, and determine the amount of stability you need from the rail.

Q: How do you install a bed assist rail?

A: A bed assist rail is installed by inserting the base between the mattress and the box spring. Generally, a strap will be attached to ensure the rail stays secure when the user pulls on it for a positioning aid or leans on it for a stability aid.

Final Thoughts

Bed rails help create a supportive and assistive sleeping environment. Getting in and out of bed safely, resting with confidence that you won’t fall out of bed, and being able to change positions when you want or need to are all good reasons to have a bed safety rail. These bedside devices can help users remain independent at home, without have to rely on the assistance of others when it’s time to roll over or get out of bed. Falls can cause serious injury and require a level of care that can’t be provided in a home environment. By decreasing the risk of bed falls, bed rails can be a valuable tool for anyone who is a fall risk.

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING THE RIGHT BED RAIL

A bedroom is our sanctuary. A place where we go on retreat to unwind and relax from the stresses of the day. Although we aren’t awake for most it, it is unsurprising that this hideaway is where we spend most of our time. In fact, the average person spends almost 26 years sleeping in their bedroom. That’s 9,490 days or 227,760 hours! This doesn’t even factor in the seven additional years we spend in our beds just trying to get to sleep!

The importance of getting adequate sleep is something we can all agree on, and this remains true the older we get. Unfortunately for many older adults, bed mobility challenges become a real problem that prevents much-needed sleep. Simple problems like joint pain, decreased flexibility, night-terrors, and Sundowning Syndrome can contribute to dangerous falls from bed. When these challenges present themselves, it can become impossible to enjoy a good night’s rest. The same also can also be said for caregivers. A caregiver is all too familiar with restless nights spent worrying about a loved one who is at risk for falling out of bed. A popular and effective way to combat such challenges and instill peace of mind for both loved one and caregiver is through the use of bed rails.

Bed rails come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for various purposes. Such a large range of options can make it difficult to pinpoint the bed rail most effective for your situation. When looking to rent or purchase a bed rail for yourself or for a loved one, it is important to have a basic understanding of how bed rails work.

An essential piece to pre-bed rail purchase homework is learning about entrapment. Entrapment is a situation where an individual can become caught in the tight spaces around the rail. Reputable manufacturers ensure that their bed rails meet guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for reducing the seven risks of entrapment. As a showing of compliance, bed rails that meet FDA Guidelines will be accompanied by manufacturer recommendations regarding bed types and mattress thicknesses. If a product listing is not forthcoming about such recommendations, it is safe to assume that the proper steps were not taken to comply with entrapment guidelines. To reduce the risk of entrapment, it is crucial to follow the recommendations set forth by the manufacturer regarding bed type, mattress thickness, and rail placement.

With so much to think about, it can be intimidating trying to find the perfect bed rail. To make the process easier, we have identified five important things you should identify about your situation and your bed before purchasing a bed rail. Answering the following questions will help you identify the safest bed rail option for you.

It would be unfair to say that every bed rail completely satisfies all three purposes. To further illustrate this point, we can assign most bed rails to one of two categories: 1) safety railings or 2) bedside handles.

Safety Railings:

Safety railings are intended to decrease the risk from falling out of bed during the night. These railings generally span the length of the bed and are most often associated with what is seen on hospital beds. These rails are most commonly correlated with long-term care.

Bedside Handles:

Bedside handles are generally smaller with a lower-profile design. Their intended purpose is to offer sturdy support when transferring in and out of bed. Bed handles are usually used by those recovering from injury or surgery and need short-term assistance.

You may find yourself in a category needing both fall prevention and transfer assistance. For such occasions, we recommend the Bedside Extend-A-Rail, one of the most versatile bed rails available. This bed rail can adjust in length from a bedside handle at 20 inches long to a full-sized safety railing of 30” long. With a versatile adjustment range, the Extend-A-Rail can offer both full fall protection and transfer assistance.

What type of bed do you own?

Bed rails are designed to be used on traditional flat surfaces as to ensure that all possible zones of entrapment are mitigated. This means that bed rails are most safely used on traditional beds with mattresses that sit on box springs or slats.

Hospital beds are generally accompanied by bed rails that are produced by the same manufacturer and designed specifically for use on that bed. Regular adjustable beds, or beds with platforms that adjust the angle of mattress that are commonly found in homes, can void a bed rail’s safety measure and create additional zones of entrapment. For such adjustable beds, we recommend using an alternative solution. The Universal Floor to Ceiling Grab Bar has been used for nearly 20 years to provide transfer assistance in and out of bed. The tension-mounted design allows it to be temporarily installed next to a bed and supports up to 300 pounds.

How thick is your mattress?

Another way to help avoid entrapment is by following the manufacturer’s recommended mattress heights. Because most bed rails are installed below the mattress, the mattress thickness can affect the level of protection provided by the bed rail.

For example, If a bed rail intended for a mattress 8-16 inches thick is installed on a mattress of 20 inches, the bed rail will provide an insufficient amount of railing above the mattress to effectively prevent falls. Likewise, a bed rail purchased for a mattress that is too short for its intended use can create gaps below the railing.

Reputable bed rail manufacturers will clearly indicate intended mattress thicknesses on product pages and packaging. To ensure compatibility, be sure to measure your mattress thickness before purchasing.

What is your preferred weight capacity?

Just like any piece of durable medical equipment, bed rails are designed and meticulously tested for defined weight capacities. The majority of bed rails have weight capacities of 300 pounds, but we recommend double checking product listings and ensuring adequate weight support before purchasing.

If you are in need of bariatric support, there are various bariatric bed rails available that support up to 400 pounds.

Will you need a bed rail away from home?

We often see bed rails as permanent fixtures of the home, so what are we to do when traveling on vacation? There are several bed rail options designed to be small, foldable, and lightweight to make it easy to take with you on vacation. If you are planning on traveling frequently, we recommend purchasing a portable travel rail separate from the rail that is used at home.

A prime example of a travel rail is the Bedside Mighty Rail. The Mighty Rail weighs just 1.5 pounds and can be broken down in seconds using a simple snap-button assembly and carried in a suit case or travel tote.

Bed rails can be effective tools for providing peace of mind, better sleep, and safer mobility for anyone needing assistance around the bed. Like any assistive device, it’s important to find the right fit for your needs and environment. For that reason, we suggest paying close attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding bed type, mattress height, and weight capacity to find the bed rail that best aligns with your needs and your bed.

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