Below is a summary of the various bed rail types and some helpful hints to help you select What Are The Different Types Of Bed Rails? A bed rail (also known as a bed assist rail or bed safety rail) is a supportive aid that is used for added stability when sitting on or standing up from the bed, for transferring from a wheelchair to and from the bed, or to prevent someone from rolling out of bed.
It can also help you move, roll, or reposition in bed. The best type of bed rail for you will be determined by various factors, including your physical abilities, height, weight, mattress size, mobility aid used, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
Types Of Bed Rails
Bed rails can be attached to various surfaces, including the bed, the wall, the floor, or the ceiling, or they can be part of a free-standing frame that sits on the floor beside the bed. The weight of the mattress or tension exerted between two surfaces holds most bed safety rail models in place without requiring any formal installation.
Some models are intended to be screwed into place. It will be beneficial to understand your options before deciding which type of bed rail is right for you. Below is a list of the various types of bed support rails and some helpful hints to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Legs On Bed Rails
Two vertical legs stand on the floor in this type of bedrail. When a user stands up and presses against the bedrail, the weight is transferred to the floor via the legs. A horizontal rail or board that slips between your mattresses is also included. The mattress’s weight helps keep the bed rail in place by stabilizing it.
This bed rail is a wonderful option if you can walk and only need a little extra liveliness to get up. If you utilize a wheelchair, be conscious that the bedrail’s legs may interfere with your wheelchair’s footrests, making it difficult to maneuver around the room. A legless bed rail or one that attaches directly to the bed frame, wall, or ceiling (described below) is usually a better option for wheelchair users.
Bedrails Without Rules
As the name implies, a legless bedrail is just a bedrail without legs. The rail is L-shaped, with the longer side slipping between the mattresses and the shorter side extending vertically upwards to provide a supportive handhold. Because the weight of your mattress stabilizes the rail, it works best when it is supported by a large, queen, or king-sized mattress.
If you have a lightweight single or twin-sized mattress, be aware that pressing down on a legless bed rail may force the mattress to raise and the rail to tilt forward, which is not ideal! A bed rail model with legs that extend to touch the floor or a model that is screwed securely in place is usually a preferable option for people who have lightweight mattresses.
Handles For Bed Rails
Bed Rail Handles are smaller and offer a more streamlined, low-profile appearance. Some types are made for ordinary beds, while others are made for hospital beds. A Bed Handle may wobble a little when used for support due to its small form, and only a single solid point generally fastens models.
Wider bed rail types with two legs that reach down to the floor and models that latch securely to the bed frame or other nearby surfaces are preferable options if you anticipate carrying a lot of weight down through the handle.
Rails For Bedrooms With Crossbars
Bed rails with several horizontal crossbars offer three advantages: more handholds for rolling in bed, different rail heights to choose from when pushing you up to standing, and, when designed properly, they can aid in preventing entrapment or asphyxia. The latter is an issue for people who can’t physically shift themselves in bed independently. At the end of this tutorial, you’ll discover more information about avoiding entrapment.
Bed Rails Can Be Folded Down
This bed rail (also known as a Swing Bed Rail) folds down to allow for simple unhindered access to the bed Attention! Because these rails swing outwards and down, there must be enough open space behind your bed to swing the rail down and up.
If a second person will be available to assist, this style is a suitable option. If you want to use it on your own, keep in mind that you’ll need to be able to reach down and swing the rail back up once you’re on the bed.
It has two notable advantages: it allows you to sit closer to the top of the bed (reducing the need to wiggle yourself up the bed after lying down), and it makes it easier to position a wheel tray table next to the bed if you eat meals in bed. Moving pieces have the potential to break or grab fingers.
Bed Rails With Adjustable Length
Some bed rails contain a telescoping rail that glides back and forth horizontally, allowing you to lengthen it and decrease it when transitioning into and out of bed. If you have a tall bed and want a physical cue to help prevent you from rolling out of bed unexpectedly or need an extra handhold for some “oomph” when standing up, this type is good.
If you frequently roll out of bed or if you are heavier, you should probably consider a bedrail that gives even more support. Bed rails that are screwed to the bed frame and multiple-sided bed rails are examples.
Bed Rails With Adjustable Height
Models with an adjustable height handle are more adaptable, allowing you to experiment with different heights to find the grip height that works best for you. They are available in both legless and leg-extended versions.
Rails For Dual Bedrooms
As the name implies, a Dual Bed Rail is simply two-bed rail (aka Double-Sided Bed Rail). On either side of the bed, one rail is put. Crossbars resting beneath the mattress connect the two rails, helping to keep them in place more firmly and securely.
Dual Bed Rails are available in half-length and full-length versions and various sizes to accommodate various mattress widths. If you share a bed with a spouse and both would benefit from a bedrail for support, the half-length variants are a suitable option.
Full-length models are a smart option if you are prone to rolling out of bed and have someone help you raise and lower the rail. How do you get out of bed when a full-length bed rail is in place? A spring-loaded knob on each side of most full-length models allows the entire rail to glide vertically up and down, allowing a person to transfer into and out of bed comfortably.
Pivoting Handle On Bed Rail
Two-in-one functionality is provided by these bed rails. They work like a regular bed rail to help you get into and out of your bed. They also have a swing-out mobility arm that locks into a perpendicular position to the bed.
The mobility arm works similarly to a cane, providing a little extra assistance to help with transfers from bed to wheelchair or standing up to use a walker. Some individuals adore this function, while others claim they never use it because they are too lazy to adjust it every time they get in and out of bed, so they leave it in one place. You’ll have to decide whether or not this extra function is appropriate for your needs.
Pole For Floor-To-Ceiling
The Floor-to-Ceiling Support Pole was created by clever people using the old-school concept of floor joists (aka Super Pole). There are no screws required. To steady the pole, crank a screw-like mechanism inside the pole until enough strain is exerted between the floor and ceiling. It should ideally be positioned between the floor and a ceiling crossbeam.
The Superpole aids with standing up and transferring to a wheelchair or a bedside commode. It also gives a stable platform to lean against when getting dressed or managing pants after using a bedside commode.
They are available in bariatric and angled forms (for use with angled ceilings). Extenders are available to fit ceilings up to ten feet tall models with a non-slip surface where your hands are likely to grab to avoid slipping down the pole.
Support Rails For Wall Mounted Bed
This style of bed support rail extends perpendicular to the wall, giving you something to grab when getting in and out of bed. This railing style is readily pulled aside to allow you to slip over to a bedside commode or position a bedside table next to the bed. Suppose you have furnishings close to the bed; models that flip up rather than swing sideways work best.
The existence and size will influence the distance between the rail and the bed. When choosing the installation height, make sure it’s low enough to be utilized as a handle to support weight when standing up. The most stable models are those with legs extending down to touch the floor.
Support Rails For The Bedside That Rest On Or Attach To The Floor
Some bed support rails can be placed between the floor and the bed frame and held in place by the stress developed between the two. Others are intended to be screwed into the floor, providing a more robust support platform than portable equipment.
A model that screws into a fixed point on the floor is considered if you expect to rely extensively on the bed rail for support; you transfer yourself independently from a bed to a wheelchair, or you want a handhold in one precise spot.
Confirm that the kind you choose is intended to support the weight capacity you demand and have it installed by a professional handyman or contractor. A disadvantage is that a floor-mounted bedrail model cannot be moved out of the way or quickly relocated if necessary. A Floor-to-Ceiling type is usually a preferable option if your ceiling height allows it because it does not require formal installation.
Rails For Trapeze Bed
A trapeze can be hung over the bed to help you sit up or move in bed. The trapeze can be hung from the ceiling or purchased as a set with a Floor-to-Ceiling pole or a free-standing frame that sits behind and beneath the bed.
This is something to think about if you spend a lot of time in bed and have trouble shifting or repositioning yourself. Because bed and mattress heights vary, make sure to factor in the height of your mattress when choosing a trapeze option to ensure the trapeze hangs at the right height for you.
What Are The Two Main Types Of Bed Rails?
Bed rails, also known as bed safety rails or bed assist rails, are supportive aids used for added stability when getting in and out of bed, or to prevent someone from rolling out of bed. They can also assist with moving, rolling, or repositioning in bed. There are two basic types of bed rails:
- Integral Bed Rails: These are incorporated into the bed design and are already fitted to the bed frame. They are typically found on hospital beds and some types of home care beds. Integral bed rails can often be adjusted in height and length, and may be lowered or raised as needed.
- Portable Bed Rails: These are standalone devices that can be added to a regular bed. They may be secured between the mattress and the bed frame, or may have legs that extend to the floor. Portable bed rails can be a good solution for individuals who need the extra support and safety at home.
Each type of bed rail has its own advantages and considerations. Integral bed rails are typically more sturdy and secure, but they may not be as versatile or easy to install as portable bed rails. On the other hand, portable bed rails can be moved and adjusted as needed, but they may not offer the same level of stability as integral bed rails.
Conclusion
Here we conclude all about What Are The Different Types Of Bed Rails? A bed rail can be very useful if you have trouble rolling over in bed or getting out of bed. Installing a bed rail is a simple solution to improve stability and confidence when getting in and out of bed.
The kinds with legs that extend down to touch the floor are usually the most durable of the portable-style bed rails available, but they are not for everyone! Legless bedrail versions and those attached to the bed frame, floor, or ceiling are usually preferable solutions if your bedroom is small and you use a wheelchair.
A permanently linked model to the bed frame, wall, floor, or ceiling is usually a better consideration if you anticipate relying significantly on the bed rail for balance and support or if you have bariatric needs. Please make sure the weight capacity of the bed rail is sufficient for your needs, and get it fitted by a trustworthy handyman!
