Falls can be extremely dangerous for seniors which makes it important to take steps to prevent them. They can happen anywhere, including when walking to the kitchen, living room, or bedroom, or even when using the bathroom. You should implement measures to help prevent falls when walking through the home and consider what you can do to keep your loved one from falling out of bed during the night. Falls from the bed can be just as dangerous as any other type of fall and lead to serious injuries.

There are many simple and inexpensive things you can do to help keep your senior loved ones protected in their beds. In this guide, we provide effective tips that will help prevent your senior loved ones from falling out of their bed.

How to Prevent Falls from Bed

Get a hospital bed:

If your loved one is weak from an injury or illness, inquire about getting them a hospital bed. You can discuss this with their doctor or home care nurse. These beds are helpful as they come in with built-in rails, and they have controls to move the mattress to different positions to make them more comfortable. If they are comfortable in their bed, they are less likely to fall out of it. Medicare and Medicaid may cover a hospital bed.

Install bed rails:

If your loved one does not need or want a hospital bed, you can attach rails to a regular bed, either to one side or to both. The bed rail may also help them get intto a sitting position on the side of the bed.

Pool noodles:

If your loved one does not like the idea of adding a rail to their bed, you can also use a pool noodle to prevent them from falling from bed. Just put the pool noodles near the side of the bed and tuck it under the fitted sheet to help prevent them from falling out of bed.

Wedges:

Usually, wedges are used to keep someone in a certain position when they have an injury or have a bedsore. You can also use the wedges on the side of the bed to help prevent your loved one from rolling off.

Pillows:

You can add pillows to the edges of the bed to help prevent your loved one from falling off. It is best to use long pillows or body pillows, and they should be fluffy, so they won’t roll too far.

Use a platform or low bed:

Make sure that your loved one has a low or platform bed so that the distance to the ground is less. Lowering the bed can help prevent serious injury from falling. You can also put it against the wall so that you create a barrier from one side.

Keep bedroom layout consistent:

The best way to prevent your loved one from falling is to keep the same layout in the bedroom. The familiar layout helps your loved one be in a space where they know where everything is. They should also have a bedside table for essentials such as glasses and medications so that they know where they are and can grab them easily.

Address health issues right away:

There are many conditions that may cause mobility issues including vision impairment, vertigo, and physical conditions. This is why it is important to consult a doctor or a specialist if you have concerns about your loved one. Addressing these medical issues will help them live a safe and comfortable life.

Using the above safety tips to prevent your loved one from rolling off the bed is a great way to keep them safe and injury free. It will also give you peace of mind knowing they can sleep safely.

Items to Help you Reduce the Risk of Injury

There are many reasons why seniors fall. These may include weakness, illness, and poor balance, and even dementia can increase the risk of falling in the home or out of bed. It is important to keep their home safe and prevent injury. Here are some things to consider:

• Bedside Commode:

Most seniors get out of bed during the night for the same reason and that is to go to the restroom. This can lead to a fall from the bed. For example, if they are walking in the dark, there is a higher chance that they can trip or stumble on the way to the restroom. Placing a commode (a free-standing toilet) near their bed is helpful as it will prevent them from having to walk to the restroom at night.

Here are some tips on How to Help Your Seniors Who Can No Longer Walk

• Anti-wandering device:

You can attach a device such as SafeWander to your loved one’s pajamas or clothing so that if they try to get out of bed, the device will send an alert to your cell phone.

• Floor mat:

Adding a floormat to the floor next to their bed will not prevent them from falling, however, it will be a softer landing if they do fall.

Professional Senior Home Care

Are you or a loved one in need of senior home care? Assisting Hands Home Care in Batavia, IL can help. Our highly trained caregivers will help ensure your loved one receives quality care in the comfort of their home and build a personal relationship with them over time to become their companion.

If your loved one needs someone nearby at night, we offer that peace of mind with our overnight senior care services. Our caregivers will arrive at your loved one’s home at night before they go to bed, and they will be awake all night in case they need help or in case of an emergency. Our overnight caregiver will make sure your loved one is safe right in their home and give you peace of mind that they are being cared for by a professional. All our caregivers have passed extensive background checks, have gone through proper training, and were hired because they are highly qualified and trusted individuals.

For more information about our senior home care services and overnight senior care services in Batavia, IL, and the surrounding areas, call us at (630) 948-8193.