Safety Aids for the Bedroom
Safety Aids for the Bedroom
As you age, the bedroom can be a place that can cause falls and other injuries. Sharp furniture edges can cause bruises when bumped into. If the bed is too high, you can fall out of bed. The room that was once a comfort spot can now become dangerous.
Different Safety Aids
One way to sleep safely is to have a moveable adjustable bed. As you begin to age, you may find yourself spending more time in bed, even if you're not asleep. You could read or watch TV or take a nap. With an adjustable bed, you can move your bed up and down to whatever position you're comfortable in.
Or, if you become bedridden and still want to be in other parts of the house, a hospital bed is the answer. These beds have wheels, and you can be moved around from room to room easily.
Another item to make life a little easier when you find yourself spending more time in bed is a tray. With a special tray that fits across the bed, you can eat, do puzzles, read, or write letters. These trays, which can act as a desk, can be angled so you can even rest a book on it for easier reading.
If you find that you're having difficulty when you're moving across your sheets because of loss of strength, there's an answer for that. Some sheets are made from materials like satin that allow a person to slide across them easily. Cotton sheets can cause you to stick to them and become tangled up. The specialized sheets will let you move and not become trapped in the sheets.
As you become older, your circulation begins to slow down, causing you to feel cold all the time. An electric blanket can warm up your bed before you climb in. You can place it on a safety setting, so it shuts off after a specific time or lowers the temperature.
If you find yourself having trouble getting out of bed without assistance, you can buy bed boosters. These go under the foot of your bed and raise your bed a couple of inches. By raising your bed, it can allow you to get out of bed on your own easier.
Your bed should be 20 to 23 inches from the floor to the top of your mattress. If your bed is either too high or too low, you could have a serious fall. Before getting out of bed, sit at the edge of the bed with your feet flat on the floor. Make sure you don't feel dizzy or lightheaded, and your balance is good before standing up.
Other Safety Items
If you're living with other family members and that are concerned about you falling, you can do something. Several types of alarms can alert a family member when you get out of bed. It will give your caregivers peace of mind about the thought of coming into your room and finding you helpless on the floor.
Sometimes as you age, it becomes more challenging to get in and out of clothes. You can buy sleepwear that is open on the side or back. This makes it easier to slide them on and off. Plus, if you have poor circulation to your feet and they're always cold, there are socks that are easy to put on and take off. You don't need to struggle to put them on or pull them back off.
If you are having difficulty dressing or getting in and out of bed, we here at Right at Home can help. We have in-home caregivers who are specially trained to help seniors with personal care. Call us today!
