As we grow older, it gets harder to control our bodies and maintain balance. Seniors are prone to trips, falls, and other types of accident because of this. Even the act of getting out of bed can be chore if you don’t have the strength and stability to do so. People can fall and break bones if they don’t get the right support. Assisted living facilities are optimized to care for seniors so they have measures in place to help their occupants. Families that choose to keep their elderly in their homes can also do their part in making beds safer.
Install Bed Rails
One of the best things that they can do is to install bed rails for seniors. These are bars that can prevent people from accidentally falling out of bed while they are asleep. Seniors may also grab onto these when trying to get in or out of bed without outside assistance. Anything that provides the elderly with an increased level of independence is always appreciated. The rails can be placed at one or both sides of the bed. They may be anchored by the ground or by the bedframe itself. They are usually made of wood or metal.
Lower the Bed Height
Another strategy to avoid accidental falls from the bed, or at least to minimize the impact, is to simply lower the height of the frame. The higher the bed is, the more it will hurt to fall on the floor. The lower it is, the less you will have to worry about. It will also be easier to get in and out of the bed as they can just sit on the mattress and their feet will already touch the ground. Different people have different ideal bed heights so be sure to tailor this to the individual in need.
Place Mats by the Bedside
This is a good scheme to implement because of its ese and practicality. Find cushioned mats and place them at the bedside. This doesn’t have to be anything special as kiddie play mats and thick rugs should suffice if you have a tight budget. Specialty options might be found online. Even if a person falls from the bed, the cushion will reduce the impact and ensure that no major damage is sustained. Positioning and dimensions are crucial. It should not be slippery or else it will add risk in another way.
Bed rails for seniors and other safety measures will make them less prone to accidents.
