Do Side Rails Actually Prevent Falls? The Facts Explained


Falling out of bed is common, especially for young children and the elderly. Among families and healthcare providers, it’s a common belief that installing side rails on beds will prevent falls and injuries – but is this really the case?

Side rails on hospital beds may not actually prevent falls. Studies show that side rail use does not decrease the risk of falls in nursing homes. Furthermore, these devices come with risks, including entrapment and suffocation. Caretakers should consider alternative options for preventing falls.

In this article, we’ll look at the facts to see if side rails are actually effective in preventing falls. I will also suggest alternatives to side rails, and what you need to consider if you are in the market for safety devices for older adults.

Side Rails: Useful or Dangerous?

A study published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that side rails do not significantly minimize the risk of bed-related falls in nursing homes. Falls are common in nursing homes, with more than 1 in 3 residents falling each year. While bed rails are often used as a fall-prevention measure, research has shown that they do not significantly reduce the risk of bed-related falls.

On the other hand, side rails have many potential dangers. There have been hundreds of reported cases of nursing home patients getting trapped in beds with side rails. There are many factors that contribute to bed-related falls in nursing homes, including:

  • Medication side effect
  • Impaired vision
  • Mobility issues

Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that bed rails can be helpful if the right model is used correctly. A systematic review published in Age and Ageing concludes that bed-related falls and injuries associated with using side rails are due to “incorrect assembly” and the use of “outmoded design”.

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Side Rails

Side rails are commonly used in hospitals. They’re manufactured as safety devices to prevent patients from falling out of bed.

At home, side rails may be used for:

  • Preventing older adults from accidentally falling out of bed.
  • Assisting the elderly in getting in and out of bed.
  • Providing support to those who find it challenging to sit up in bed.
  • Eliciting a feeling of comfort and safety.

There are many different types of bed rails available in the market. Bed rails for seniors are often designed to carry a heavy weight and come with multiple features.

For example, the Stander EZ Adjust Bed Rail (available on Amazon.com) includes features such as:

  • Adjustable length
  • A maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds (136 kilograms)
  • Safety strap
  • Foldable design
  • Bed handle and organizer pouch

These features make it easier to use the side rail and customize it according to your needs. However, before choosing a side rail for your loved one, make sure that they really need it in the first place.

Is It Really Necessary To Use Bed Rails?

The FDA encourages healthcare providers to assure patients and family members that it’s perfectly safe to sleep in a bed without bed rails. While the FDA acknowledges the benefits of using side rails, they also emphasize the potential risks of using these so-called safety devices.

Health Professions Press suggests asking important questions – such as the purpose of the side rail and the patient’s psychological state – before using these safety devices. Patients and healthcare providers must determine the real reason behind using a bed rail and whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

When Should You Use Side Rails?

For many people, side rails might come in handy. If you have an elderly loved one who is starting to experience memory loss, bed rails may help prevent them from accidentally falling out of bed and injuring themselves. Bed rails can also be helpful for small children who are undergoing treatment for cancer or other illnesses.

Side rails may help prevent some accidental falls and injuries, but they are not without risks. So when should you use bedside rails?

Side rails are often used by people at risk of accidentally falling out of bed. This includes people who are recovering from surgery, have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or have a history of falling out of bed.

Bedside rails can help prevent falls and injuries, but they can be unsafe in some situations. Rails can entrap a person if they become wedged between the rail and the mattress. People with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may try to climb over the rail, which can lead to a fall.

How To Use Side Rails Safely

Bed rails can make it easier for patients and older adults to get in and out of bed. However, these devices can also be dangerous. If they are not properly installed, they can cause the person to become trapped or injured. That’s why it’s important to be careful when using bed rails when caring for the elderly.

Here are safety tips to keep in mind when using bed rails:

  • Make sure the side rail is properly installed or assembled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many accidents can be prevented by simply making sure that the side rail on a bed is properly installed or assembled.
  • Use the side rail only when getting in and out of bed. Do not use it as a support to stand up.
  • Check that the side rails are in the correct position before using them. Rails should match the height of the mattress and be close enough to the edge of the bed.
  • Adjust the height of the side rails, so they are comfortable to use. You don’t want them to be too high or too low.
  • When getting in and out of bed, use the handrails to help you. Do not try to go over or under the side rails.
  • Use the bed rail with the mattress in place. Doing so helps to avoid gaps that could entrap limbs or lead to falls. 
  • Make sure the rail is firmly attached to the bed frame. Check the bed rail regularly for wear and tear and replace it if necessary.

Possible Alternatives to Side Rails

Several studies suggest that side rails can actually be more dangerous than helpful for some people. For this reason, many healthcare providers recommend using alternative safety devices and trying other measures to prevent falls.

Roll Guards

A roll guard is a safety device that helps prevent falls by keeping the person in bed. It is placed under the mattress and has two straps that attach to the bed. The roll guard can be used with or without a bed rail.

Lower Beds

Another safety measure to consider is lowering the bed so that it is closer to the ground. Doing so can help seniors get in and out of bed more easily and safely. A lower bed may also reduce the risk of injury if they ever accidentally fall out of bed.

There are other benefits to lowering the bed as well. It can make it easier for seniors to get dressed and undressed, as well as provide a place to sit when putting on shoes or socks. Additionally, if an elderly loved one does fall out of bed, the lower height can help prevent serious injuries.

Raised-Edge or Concave Mattress

Concave mattresses have a higher edge on all sides, which makes it difficult to fall out of bed. They create a “pocket” around the person so that if they do happen to fall out, they’re less likely to hit the floor and sustain an injury. If someone does happen to roll while in bed, the mattress will help them stay in one place and avoid hitting the floor.

Important Considerations When Choosing Home Safety Devices

Older adults often become less mobile and more vulnerable to injury. When choosing home safety devices for them, it is important to consider which ones will help reduce their fall risk and other injuries.

You may use other safety devices at home in addition to side rails. For example, some specific products to consider include grab bars for the bathroom and non-slip mats for the kitchen and bathroom. Do You Need a Grab Bar in a Walk-in Shower?

There are several things that you can do to make your home safer, but one of the most important is to choose the right safety devices. Not all devices are created equal, and it’s important to consider the type of home you live in when making your selections.

Here are some things to consider when choosing home safety products for older adults:

The Material Used and Overall Quality

To help prevent falls and other injuries, choose safety devices made from high-quality materials and designed for ease of use.

For example, when choosing a side rail, look for one made from sturdy metal or hard plastic with non-slip feet. Look for ones that are firmly mounted and have a textured surface to provide a good grip.

The User’s Individual Needs and Abilities

Many safety devices are designed with the user’s individual needs and abilities in mind. For example, you can find smoke alarms with flashing lights or vibrating pads. These features are especially important for elderly adults who might have hearing loss.

You may also take advantage of an alarm system that uses sensors to detect when someone has fallen. This device can be helpful for those who live alone or have mobility issues.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider the specific needs of seniors when selecting safety devices. For example, some seniors may need extra help getting up from a fall, while others may need assistance with walking or balancing. By taking these individual needs into account, you can choose the best possible safety devices for each unique situation.

The Type of Home They Live In

Before you buy any safety devices, it’s important to consider the type of home your loved one lives in.

For example, they may not need to grab rails if they live in a single-story home. But if they live in a multi-level home, a stair railing is a must. Additionally, you’ll want to choose products that can be used on more than one level. Staircases can be particularly dangerous for seniors, so it’s important to have a device that will help them get up and down safely.

The same principle goes for grab bars. If their home has lots of stairs, you’ll want to install grab bars near the top and bottom of each flight of stairs. But if their home is all on one level, grab bars may be optional.

Ease of Use and Installation

It’s also important to consider how easy a safety device is to use. For instance, many older adults have difficulty using traditional door knobs. Some older adults may be unable to read detailed instructions, lift heavy objects, or pull levers.

Before purchasing any safety device or equipment for older adults, make sure it is easy to install and use. If you are purchasing an item with advanced features, make sure that the intended user can enjoy it instead of becoming confused or frustrated. For example, many beds for seniors come with additional features like self-massage and charging ports. Some seniors may or may not be able to use these features independently.

Affordability and Durability

Finally, remember to factor in cost when making your decision. Safety devices can be expensive, so it’s important to find products that fit within your budget.

Many safety devices on the market are quite affordable. It’s important to find something that’s a good value for money, especially if it’s something that will be used regularly. Durability is also an important consideration. You want to make sure that the device will be able to withstand repeated use.

Final Thoughts

Side rails are thought to help prevent falls, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Studies suggest that side rails did not decrease the incidence of falls among patients in nursing homes and that alternative measures and devices for preventing falls should be considered. If you are planning to purchase a home safety device, make sure to consider the overall quality of the product, whether it fits the intended purpose, and whether it is appropriate for the user.

tatorchip

Roger L. "Chip" Mitchell is the owner of Growing Gray USA. Having worked with seniors and their families for over a decade as the owner of ComForCare Home Care of Northwest Georgia, Chip is able to share his insights working with aging senior adults and their adult children who are now finding themselves in a new role as caregivers for their parents.

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