How to Improve the Safety and Accessibility of Your Bedroom
Creating a safe and accessible home environment is essential for seniors to maintain their independence, safety, and overall well-being as they age. This is especially important in areas where we spend a significant amount of time, such as the bedroom. Today, we are continuing our home safety series by talking about simple modifications and safety considerations in the bedroom. By prioritizing home safety and implementing appropriate modifications, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life and continue to live comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Below are key considerations and tips to effectively and practically optimize a safe bedroom environment.
*Disclaimer: This blog contains links to affiliate websites. When you click on and/or purchase any items using these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Our use of affiliate links does not influence the products, services and information we share with you. My goal is to provide you with education to help you make informed decisions. These links allow me to reference the specific products that I have clinical experience using in the field.
Bed Height
Getting in and out of bed can become increasingly challenging for seniors, especially if the bed is too high or too low. If a bed is too high, there is an increased risk of falls off the side of the bed while getting in and out. If the bed height is too low, it can be hard to stand up from. There are some simple ways that you can adjust the height of your bed without needing to purchase a replacement. If you have questions about changing or modifying your bed, this is a great time to request a referral to an occupational therapist to complete a home assessment to give recommendations that are specific to your needs. Also, please visit our blog, “How to Raise or Lower Your Bed Height to Improve Safety” for more detailed information. The tips below are general guidelines:
Ideal Bed Height: Ideally, you should be able to sit on the edge of the bed with your feet FLAT on the floor. You don’t need to be sitting all the way back on the mattress, but you should be perched back far enough where you can pick your feet up without feeling that you would slide off the edge.
If You Need to Lower Your Bed: As we mentioned above, having a tall bed can make it easier to get of in the morning, but it does increase the risk of sliding off the edge while getting in and out. Lowering the height of the bed can make this task much easier and safer. You can lower the height of a bed by replacing the box spring with a shorter model or with slats, or purchasing a lower bed frame.
If You Need to Make Your Bed Higher: As mentioned before, a bed that is too low can be hard to get up from. You can increase the height of your bed by using bed risers, purchasing a taller box spring, or bt purchasing a taller bed platform.
If You Have an Adjustable Bed: If you own a bed that can raise or lower the head and feet, it can be more difficult to adjust the height of the bed. Some models have built-in risers that can be added or removed, but this should be handled by the company that delivered and set-up the bed. Changing out the box spring, using bed risers, or using a platform frame is not an option with these adjustable beds.
Should I Buy A Hospital Bed? I get asked this question a lot. Just because you hare having trouble getting in or out of bed, does not necessarily mean that you need to go buy a hospital bed. You can often improve your ability to get in and out of bed by using the modifications above. If you have questions about hospital beds, adjustable beds, or about insurance coverage for hospital beds, please see our blog posts on, “How to Raise or Lower Your Bed Height to Improve Safety” and “Does Medicare Pay for Hospital Beds?” for more information.
Bedside Lighting
Adequate lighting is essential for seniors, particularly at night for trips to the bathroom or when navigating the bedroom. Make sure that you have access to a light at your bedside and ensure that you have adequate lighting on the pathway from the bed to the bathroom. You can also consider using a nightlight in the bedroom and the bathroom, or the use of motion activated lights if you don’t like the nightlights to be on at all times during the night. Motion activated lights can come in the form of a nightlight, or you can mount them under the bed to activate when it senses you getting out of bed.
Clear Pathways
Arrange furniture in the bedroom to create clear pathways that are free from clutter or tripping hazards. Please ensure that there is enough space to maneuver safely to and from the bed to the bathroom. This is especially important for those using mobility devices such as walkers or canes. Remove unnecessary furniture or clutter to increase space and promote ease of movement. Also make sure that power and electrical cords are tucked away and secured against the wall to prevent tripping hazards.
Easy to Reach Storage
You should have easy access to essential items without having to strain or stretch. Consider bedside tables with drawers or shelves to store items such as medications, books, or glasses within arm's reach. Use organizers or baskets to keep items neatly arranged and easily accessible, reducing the need for bending or reaching.
Hand Holds Near the Bed
If you have a mobility limitation, sometimes it can be helpful to have something to hold onto next to or on the bed to help with rolling in bed, sitting up, and standing from the edge of the bed. There are many styles and models of bed rails that can act as a handle to hold onto to help with these tasks. Some people have pre-concieved notions that bed rails are meant to keep someone from rolling out of the bed. While there are some rails that are designed with this intention, bed rails can come in all shapes and sizes. Some are shorter in nature that purely act as a handle and do not block your pathway of getting in and out of bed. If you live in an assisted living environment, there may be restrictions on the use of bed rails. It is always a great idea to consult with an occupational therapist when addressing problems with bed mobility to provide advice on which adaptive equipment will best meet your needs. Also see our blog on “"How to Choose a Bed Rail” (BLOG COMING SOON!) for more information on choosing a bed rail that is compatible with your bed.
By appropriately adapting our homes to accommodate aging in place, spaces such as the bedroom can be transformed into safe, comfortable, and easily accessible spaces for seniors. Creating a senior friendly environment not only promotes independence and mobility but also enhances quality of life. For more information, please see our other blog posts:
How to Raise or Lower Your Bed Height to Improve Safety and Accessibility
Does Medicare Pay for Hospital Beds? (BLOG COMING SOON!)
How to Improve the Safety and Accessibility of Your Living Room
If you are a caregiver who provides assistance for getting in and out of bed as well as other self-care tasks, also feel free to check out out caregiver resources below including our publication, “A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving”, and our caregiver training video courses.
*This blog was created in collaboration with Masters of Occupational Therapy Student Jamie Hunt, with Pfeiffer University.
A Therapist’s Guide to Caregiving
The book includes 170 pages of full-color, step-by step instructions, to provide you with all the skills you need to provide safe, thorough, and compassionate care at home.
This is your comprehensive guide to giving you with the skills you need to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to family members, friends or clients in the home. This course includes 6 hours of instructional video covering client basic adaptive equipment, functional mobility, lifting techniques, transfers, self-care skills, bed level care, use of client lifts and transfer devices, and managing falls. Click "Preview Caregiver Course" below to preview the lessons and descriptions.
