Common causes of falling out of bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA person, particularly an elder, may fall out of bed for any number of reasons, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Changes in medication that affect the individual\u2019s sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A new bed that’s higher or lower than the previous one<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New bed coverings or nighttime clothing that’s slicker than the old ones<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Illness causing weakness that makes it difficult to get in or out of bed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New sleeping environment, such as changes in furniture or the bed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nocturia<\/a> (needing to get up to pee during the night)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eyesight issues, such as new bifocal eyeglasses, glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Poor lighting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/seniors-falling-out-of-bed-bed-rail.jpeg\")
Installing bed rails can help prevent falls. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to keep seniors from falling out of bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFortunately, 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>, a Zillow-like platform for finding senior living, suggests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Bed rails or safety bumpers are \u201cgreat tools to help prevent falls,\u201d 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A\u00a0low-profile bed<\/a>\u00a0\u201cminimizes injury if a fall does occur,\u201d he says. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Non-slip mats and a clutter-free area around the bed eliminate tripping hazards but are \u201coften overlooked,\u201d says Blakeley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bed alarms or an anti-wandering device can be useful for an elder with\u00a0dementia or other cognitive impairment<\/a>, signaling the caregiver that they’re trying to get up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d adds Moti Gamburd, CEO of West Hollywood, Calif.-based\u00a0CARE Homecare<\/a>. \u00a0That may help reduce the potential falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, \u201cThink about the entire bedroom, not just the bed,\u201d Gamburd says. \u201cMake 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"group](\"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/seniors-falling-out-of-bed-tai-chi.jpeg\")
Tai chi can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, all critical for mobility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBehavior and lifestyle changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBesides the things you can do physically to prevent falling out of bed, there are additional changes that can keep an elder safe in bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen how proactive lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of falls,\u201d says Blakeley. \u201cMobility exercises, such as tai chi<\/a> or chair yoga<\/a>, can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, which are critical for overall stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nBlakeley says another important component is good sleep hygiene<\/a>, including going to bed and rising at the same time daily, avoiding caffeine well before bedtime, and following a calming bedtime routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cOne simple but helpful change is to improve how the body and mind get ready for sleep,\u201d says Gamburd. He adds that many older adults feel restless or confused at night, which make it easier to fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA calming nighttime routine<\/a>, such as gentle stretches, drinking a warm, non-caffeinated drink, or practicing deep breathing, can help their body relax,\u201d says Gamburd. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAs for nocturia, Blakeley points out that a health professional can provide information about bladder control medications or behavioral techniques\u2014such as limiting fluids in the evening\u2014that can make nighttime safer and more restful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says emerging evidence suggests nocturia is primarily a disorder of the body\u2019s circadian rhythm, which weakens as we age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInterventions like melatonin<\/a> supplementation and blue light-blocking goggles can be surprisingly effective for enhancing your circadian rhythm<\/a> and thus alleviating nocturia,\u201d notes Blakeley. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips for caregivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to keep seniors from falling out of bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFortunately, 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>, a Zillow-like platform for finding senior living, suggests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Bed rails or safety bumpers are \u201cgreat tools to help prevent falls,\u201d 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A\u00a0low-profile bed<\/a>\u00a0\u201cminimizes injury if a fall does occur,\u201d he says. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Non-slip mats and a clutter-free area around the bed eliminate tripping hazards but are \u201coften overlooked,\u201d says Blakeley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bed alarms or an anti-wandering device can be useful for an elder with\u00a0dementia or other cognitive impairment<\/a>, signaling the caregiver that they’re trying to get up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d adds Moti Gamburd, CEO of West Hollywood, Calif.-based\u00a0CARE Homecare<\/a>. \u00a0That may help reduce the potential falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, \u201cThink about the entire bedroom, not just the bed,\u201d Gamburd says. \u201cMake 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nTai chi can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, all critical for mobility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBehavior and lifestyle changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBesides the things you can do physically to prevent falling out of bed, there are additional changes that can keep an elder safe in bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen how proactive lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of falls,\u201d says Blakeley. \u201cMobility exercises, such as tai chi<\/a> or chair yoga<\/a>, can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, which are critical for overall stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nBlakeley says another important component is good sleep hygiene<\/a>, including going to bed and rising at the same time daily, avoiding caffeine well before bedtime, and following a calming bedtime routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cOne simple but helpful change is to improve how the body and mind get ready for sleep,\u201d says Gamburd. He adds that many older adults feel restless or confused at night, which make it easier to fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA calming nighttime routine<\/a>, such as gentle stretches, drinking a warm, non-caffeinated drink, or practicing deep breathing, can help their body relax,\u201d says Gamburd. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAs for nocturia, Blakeley points out that a health professional can provide information about bladder control medications or behavioral techniques\u2014such as limiting fluids in the evening\u2014that can make nighttime safer and more restful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says emerging evidence suggests nocturia is primarily a disorder of the body\u2019s circadian rhythm, which weakens as we age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInterventions like melatonin<\/a> supplementation and blue light-blocking goggles can be surprisingly effective for enhancing your circadian rhythm<\/a> and thus alleviating nocturia,\u201d notes Blakeley. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips for caregivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Bed rails or safety bumpers are \u201cgreat tools to help prevent falls,\u201d 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A\u00a0low-profile bed<\/a>\u00a0\u201cminimizes injury if a fall does occur,\u201d he says. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Non-slip mats and a clutter-free area around the bed eliminate tripping hazards but are \u201coften overlooked,\u201d says Blakeley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bed alarms or an anti-wandering device can be useful for an elder with\u00a0dementia or other cognitive impairment<\/a>, signaling the caregiver that they’re trying to get up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d adds Moti Gamburd, CEO of West Hollywood, Calif.-based\u00a0CARE Homecare<\/a>. \u00a0That may help reduce the potential falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, \u201cThink about the entire bedroom, not just the bed,\u201d Gamburd says. \u201cMake 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tai chi can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, all critical for mobility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Behavior and lifestyle changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen how proactive lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of falls,\u201d says Blakeley. \u201cMobility exercises, such as tai chi<\/a> or chair yoga<\/a>, can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, which are critical for overall stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blakeley says another important component is good sleep hygiene<\/a>, including going to bed and rising at the same time daily, avoiding caffeine well before bedtime, and following a calming bedtime routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne simple but helpful change is to improve how the body and mind get ready for sleep,\u201d says Gamburd. He adds that many older adults feel restless or confused at night, which make it easier to fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA calming nighttime routine<\/a>, such as gentle stretches, drinking a warm, non-caffeinated drink, or practicing deep breathing, can help their body relax,\u201d says Gamburd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for nocturia, Blakeley points out that a health professional can provide information about bladder control medications or behavioral techniques\u2014such as limiting fluids in the evening\u2014that can make nighttime safer and more restful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says emerging evidence suggests nocturia is primarily a disorder of the body\u2019s circadian rhythm, which weakens as we age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInterventions like melatonin<\/a> supplementation and blue light-blocking goggles can be surprisingly effective for enhancing your circadian rhythm<\/a> and thus alleviating nocturia,\u201d notes Blakeley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips for caregivers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n