Many individuals at are risk for falls either from rolling out of bed or getting up and walking unaided when it's no longer safe to do so. Bedrails are sometimes used to help keep the person safe in bed, but studies in hospitals and nursing homes have shown that people with dementia are at an increased risk for serious falls if they attempt to get out of bed by climbing over the bed rails. Others may become agitated if they feel restrained, and, sadly, some become entrapped in the rail or in the space between the mattress and the rail.

The FDA has issued recommendations to help you make the right decision for keeping your loved one safe while in and getting out of bed. It recommends using only partial rails, when needed, and special high-low hospital beds. These beds can be raised for transferring and caregiving tasks and lowered close to the floor for sleeping. It's believed that even if a person would attempt to rise independently, he or she would be unable to do so. If the person were to roll out of bed, risk of injury is less because the bed is close to the floor – some bed frames are as low as seven inches (without the mattress) above the floor.

The FDA also recommends using a special safety floor mat to cushion the impact should a person fall. Be sure to choose a mat with a beveled edge and to use nightlights to reduce possible tripping if you or your loved one is walking in the room at night.

Keep in mind that a fully electric high-low bed is the easiest to operate.