If you or a loved one are in your golden years, you probably know—hopefully not from firsthand experience—how quickly a fall can happen. One minute you’re walking along a sidewalk, and in the blink of an eye you’re on the ground.
Falling is the leading cause of fracture among elders, too frequently leading to declining mobility and function, even death. Among older people, falling out of bed is all too common—and just as dangerous. In this article, we’ll explore how to keep seniors from falling out of bed.
Common causes of falling out of bed
A person, particularly an elder, may fall out of bed for any number of reasons, including:
- Changes in medication that affect the individual’s sleep
- A new bed that’s higher or lower than the previous one
- New bed coverings or nighttime clothing that’s slicker than the old ones
- Illness causing weakness that makes it difficult to get in or out of bed
- New sleeping environment, such as changes in furniture or the bed
- Nocturia (needing to get up to pee during the night)
- Eyesight issues, such as new bifocal eyeglasses, glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration
- Poor lighting
How to keep seniors from falling out of bed
Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure the bedtime safety of an older person. Brandon Blakeley, senior care advisor for Arlington, Va.-based Mirador Living, a Zillow-like platform for finding senior living, suggests:
- Bed rails or safety bumpers are “great tools to help prevent falls,” Blakeley says. Even a pool noodle can be slid under the fitted sheet or mattress protector to create a ridge that helps prevent sliding off the bed.
- A low-profile bed “minimizes injury if a fall does occur,” he says.
- Non-slip mats and a clutter-free area around the bed eliminate tripping hazards but are “often overlooked,” says Blakeley.
- Bed alarms or an anti-wandering device can be useful for an elder with dementia or other cognitive impairment, signaling the caregiver that they’re trying to get up.
“If your loved one gets up frequently in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, then a bedside commode might be a practical solution to cut down on those unnecessary trips,” adds Moti Gamburd, CEO of West Hollywood, Calif.-based CARE Homecare. That may help reduce the potential falls.
Additionally, “Think about the entire bedroom, not just the bed,” Gamburd says. “Make sure there are no hazards around the bed, like rugs, loose wires, or clutter. Be sure the bed is neither too high nor too soft as either will make it hard for an elderly person to get in and out safely.”
Behavior and lifestyle changes
Besides the things you can do physically to prevent falling out of bed, there are additional changes that can keep an elder safe in bed.
“I’ve seen how proactive lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of falls,” says Blakeley. “Mobility exercises, such as tai chi or chair yoga, can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, which are critical for overall stability.”
Blakeley says another important component is good sleep hygiene, including going to bed and rising at the same time daily, avoiding caffeine well before bedtime, and following a calming bedtime routine.
“One simple but helpful change is to improve how the body and mind get ready for sleep,” says Gamburd. He adds that many older adults feel restless or confused at night, which make it easier to fall.
“A calming nighttime routine, such as gentle stretches, drinking a warm, non-caffeinated drink, or practicing deep breathing, can help their body relax,” says Gamburd.
As for nocturia, Blakeley points out that a health professional can provide information about bladder control medications or behavioral techniques—such as limiting fluids in the evening—that can make nighttime safer and more restful.
He says emerging evidence suggests nocturia is primarily a disorder of the body’s circadian rhythm, which weakens as we age.
“Interventions like melatonin supplementation and blue light-blocking goggles can be surprisingly effective for enhancing your circadian rhythm and thus alleviating nocturia,” notes Blakeley.
Tips for caregivers
Caregivers also play an important role in fall prevention. Blakeley says he always encourages them to “evaluate the physical environment as well as the habits of the older adult.”
He recommends caregivers routinely examine mobility aids, such as walkers or canes, and ensure they’re in good working order and easily accessible to the elder near the bed.
Equally important is a review of medications as many prescriptions’ side effects include dizziness or impaired balance.
“More often than not,” says Blakeley, “a combined medical, environmental, and behavioral plan of intervention, working together, offers safety and peace of mind for the patient and caregivers alike.”
FAQs
How do you get an older person to stop falling out of bed?
To prevent an older person from falling out of bed, it’s important to know whether their medications might increase their risk of a fall. Make sure their bed is equipped with a bed rail or safety bumper and that there’s a floor mat by the bed to cushion a fall if one happens. And make sure the sleeping environment is clutter-free to eliminate the risk of falling if they get out of bed during the night.
Next, learn about how to create an accessible bedroom.
