Last Updated: October 20, 2022
If you have an elderly relative who is quite frail, they might need some form of assistance when it comes to repositioning during sleep or getting in and out of bed.
That said…
We reviewed the best elderly bed rails you can choose from, although it isn’t all that simple. That’s why we prepared a guide to help you pick the model that can fit your bed type.
With all things considered, our pick for the best bed rail for the elderly is the Stander EZ Adjust.
Top 5 Best Bed Rails For Seniors Reviewed
1. Stander EZ Adjust Bed Rail - Best Overall
As the name suggests, the Stander EZ Adjust bed rail offers easy length adjustability. With a simple hold of a knob at the top of the rails, you can change between the 26, 34, and 42-inch settings. This helps prevent falling from the bed at night.
The rail is made of black powder-coated steel measuring 26/34/42 x 22 x 25 inches (length x height x depth) and weighing 14 pounds. It has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
It is compatible with most traditional and platform beds such as Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King, and with mattresses between 12 to 16 inches thick.
Its parts are easy to install and comes with the necessary equipment, no additional tools are needed. You can simply insert it underneath the mattress and secure it with the safety strap. You can even install two rails on both sides of the bed.
The Stander EZ Adjust also features a three-pocket pouch where you can store the person’s belongings. It also covers up most of the rail which minimizes entrapment hazards.
Pros
- An adjustable length that reduces the chance of falling
- Supports 300 pounds
- Can be folded in half
- Includes a pouch that covers up most of the rail
Cons
- Expensive
- Not compatible with adjustable beds or beds with extra soft mattresses
Takeaway
If you’re looking for the best bed assist rails for adults, look no further from the Stander EZ Adjust rail. Its adjustability and folding features prevent falling and provide convenience as long as you’re willing to invest.
2. Medline Bed Assist - Best Budget Buy
If the person is recovering from surgery or dealing with aches such as back pain and arthritis, the Medline Bed Assist is a great and affordable option for stability and comfort.
It has a latex-free steel structure with a soft cushioned handle for a comfortable and confident grip. The rail has legs that rest on the floor to provide increased weight support and stability.
Its legs have two height options between 36 and 44 inches for a custom fit, measuring 14 x 36/44 x 28 inches (lxhxd) and weighing a total of 6.4 pounds.
After assembling the rail, you can slide it underneath the mattress and secure it to the bed frame with the safety strap.
The bed rail also includes a 13 x 9 inches nylon pocket to store and organize personal items.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Cushioned handle
- Includes a pouch
- Improved stability from its legs
Cons
- Does not work well with adjustable/low beds
- The instruction manual is confusing
Takeaway
The Medline Bed Assist does its job well for an affordable price. It has an adjustable height for a custom fit, a cushioned handle for a comfortable grip, and a nylon pouch for storage.
3. LumaRail-FS - Best Safety Features
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of accidental death for people over 65. The Triple Safe Lumarail is the most feature-packed bed rail out in the market that minimizes these hazards.
This reduces difficulties in finding the rail and the risk of accidentally bumping onto the rail.
Its structure has a powder-coated finish with an adjustable height for thick mattresses and bed toppers, measuring 20 x 15.5-19.5 x 36 inches (lxhxd) and weighing 6.19 pounds. It has a total weight capacity of 400 pounds!
The base can be inserted underneath the mattress and secured with an anchor strip. It has an adjustable base to fit from Single to King-sized beds. The handlebar is also padded for a comfortable and safe grip.
You can install a pouch for storage and minimize entrapment hazards, but it is sold separately.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Supports 400 pounds
- Illuminating safety features
- Padded handle
Cons
- The pouch is sold separately
Takeaway
The LumaRail-FS is one of the best bed safety rails for the elderly. Its glowing features make sure that the person will be able to navigate in the dark and reduce the chances of accidents.
4. Stander BedCane - Best Low-Profile Bed Rail
Some bed rails have obstructive designs that may do more harm than good. However, that’s not the case for the low-profile Stander BedCane.
Since it is manufactured by the same company as the Stander EZ Adjust rail, it shares some of the same features.
The Stander BedCane is made of black powder-coated steel with an adjustable height between 16 and 21 inches, only measuring 15 x 16/21 x 22 inches (lxhxd) and weighing 12 pounds. It can support a total weight of 300 pounds.
You can use it for most traditional and platform beds, including Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King, and with mattresses between 12 to 16 inches thick.
It also features a black four-pocket pouch to organize any belongings. The pouch covers most of the rail’s open spaces to prevent entrapment, as well as padding the handlebar for a comfortable grip.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Supports 300 pounds
- Low-profile design
- Includes a pouch that covers up most of the rail
Cons
- Not compatible with adjustable beds or beds with extra soft mattresses
Takeaway
If the person is occupying a small room or bed, you don’t want them to feel trapped. With the Stander Bedcane, its low-profile design can assist without taking up too much space.
5. Vaunn Medical - Best For High Bedframes
The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist railing is structured similarly to that of the Medline Bed Assist (mentioned in number two) except this one is made for high bedframes.
The first 20 inches of its height from the ground up is stationary, while the rest can be extended from 13 to 14.5 inches. On the other hand, its base can extend from 34 to 43 inches. Overall, it measures about 20 x 33-34.5 x 34-43 inches (lxhxd) and weighs 6.61 pounds.
However, it has to meet specific conditions to function, wherein the height clearance from the bed frame to the floor must be between 14 to 20.5 inches and the mattress should not be more than 5 inches high.
This railing is made of heavy-duty powder-coated steel, having a weight capacity of 250-300 pounds. Its handlebar has slip-resistant foam padding and the feet have a rubber grip to provide increased stability and comfort for the person.
When sliding the base underneath the mattress, you can adjust its depth to fit into Twin, Double, Full, Queen, and King-sized beds.
Pros
- Adjustable height and depth
- Fits high bed frames
- Slip-resistant padding
- Improved stability from its legs
Cons
- Not suitable for low beds/high mattresses
- No pouch included
Takeaway
Some rails with legs don’t fit onto high bedframes. However, the Vaunn Medical Bed Assist remedies this problem and offers adjustability with its handle height and base depth to fit more bed designs.
Senior Tip: Having bed rails are not enough to ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly. Proceed to our post to know more -- Best Bed Alarm For Seniors.
Why Are Bed Rails Necessary?
Bed rails are adjustable and removable devices made of metal and plastic components. They are tightly secured to the mattress and/or the floor on either one or both sides of the bed.
They are meant to provide mobility and balance for people who struggle with mobility, including elders or those who have illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease among many others.
These also prevent the person from falling while the bed is being transported. Some bed rails even have pouches to put personal belongings in for easy access.
What Should You Consider When Buying A Bed Rail?
Bed Characteristics
The type of bed you have will greatly impact your choice of the best bed rail for the elderly. Different models have their own way of attaching to the bed, such as resting on the base or having straps that fasten onto the bed frame.
Other characteristics such as the bed’s height, weight, and positioning also have to be considered to determine the adjustability and amount of rails needed.
Weight
The best bed railing for seniors should be able to support the mattress and the person’s weight. The weight limit should not be exceeded, so always double-check the capacity of the model you’re buying.
Monitoring
You need to determine whether the person can raise and lower the railing themselves or they need outside help, especially if they’re alone.
If there’s no able-bodied person ready to help maintain and set up the bed rails, then you should buy a model that’s easy enough to operate for the person.
Physical And Mental Condition
Depending on the person’s level of mobility, they may simply need a grab bar to help them get up the bed or an extended bed rail to prevent them from falling.
As we mentioned, if the person is prone to agitation, confusion, and sudden movement due to their mental state, even the best bedside rails for seniors may do more harm than good.
Preparedness
Bed rails require a lot more attention than they seem.
When choosing a bed rail, be sure that you are ready for the responsibility they come with. Their construction, material, and design define whether they need frequent or occasional monitoring.
The first thing you need to be prepared for is their installation process. Some bed rails are easy to install, while others require tools and a lot of time.
The next thing is maintenance and conditioning. Metal bed rails are prone to loosening over time, while wooden bed rails tend to break due to certain conditions.
Dangers Of Using A Bed Rail For My Ailing Senior Parents
A poorly maintained bed rail can cause the person to get trapped, strangled, or injured if a part of their body is caught between the components of the rail.
Sometimes, it’s better to not install a bed rail at all if the person can mobilize safely and independently to avoid these risks unless they requested it. Other alternatives to bed rails include:
- Increased monitoring
- Situating the person in a high-visibility area
- Use a floor line bed or set the bed’s adjustment to the lowest setting
- Use a larger bed
- Set up positioning pillows such as wedges, bumpers, or bolsters
You can prevent these dangers from occurring by informing yourself about the guidelines in installing and maintaining bed rails.
Here's how to assemble EZ Adjust bed rails:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DIY Bed Railings Safe?
It’s safe for children but not for adults. Adults have significantly more weight than children, so they are more likely to break DIY bed railings.
Even the best bed rails for seniors have their flaws and potential hazards. You can expect more of these dangers especially if you installed a DIY bed railing carelessly. It’s better to buy a manufactured railing to minimize these risks.
Are There Different Types Of Bed Railings?
When it comes to the handle, there are single grab bar and crossbar variants.
Single grab bars take up less space and are best for people who only need a bit of leverage to get in and out of bed. An example of this is the Lumarail Bed Assist.
Meanwhile, crossbar rails have multiple horizontal handles at different heights to provide more support for the person. An example of this is the Stander EZ Bed Assist.
There are also bed rails with and without support legs.
Legless bed rails (for example, the Stander BedCane) are meant to be tucked under the mattress. They are best for large beds since their stability depends on the mattress’s weight.
On the other hand, rails with support legs (for example, the Vaunn Medical Bed Assist) are also tucked under the mattress except they have legs that rest on the floor. These legs improve stability but the bedframe’s height has to be taken into consideration.
The Bottom Line
Our pick for the best bed rail for the elderly is the Stander EZ Bed Assist. For an affordable option, we recommend the Medline Bed Assist.
The Stander EZ Bed Assist is a legless rail made of powder-coated steel, so you don’t have to worry about the size of your bed frame. It can support a total of 300 pounds.
Its length can be extended to prevent falling during sleep and its pouch covers most of the rail to reduce entrapment hazards.
We hope our best safety rail review helped you find the product for your ailing loved ones.