Bedroom Safety For The Elderly | More Ability

Published: 20 August 2018 · Last Updated: 8 November 2023

As you all know safety is crucial to our lives. In everything we do actually, to ensure we prolong our lives.

We are always looking to provide ways how we to improve safety and solutions for accessible, mobility and disabled users bathroom.

However in this article we’re going to concentrate on the enhancing the safety of the elderly in the bedroom. We cover the importance of bedroom safety and advise our top ideas.

Why should you consider bedroom safety?

Many consider the bedroom a place they can wind down relax and ultimately rest. We would create a design that truly embodies this.

But safety plays also plays a big role in the bedroom is important for all users, as we’re sure that we want to retain independence and safety is crucial.

At More Ability, we’re experts in accessible and mobility solutions. We have it in our best interest that for those with accessibility and mobility challenges, we can provide them with solutions to help them retain their independence as well as ensure their safety whilst in the comfort of their bedroom.

Together our team has come up with a list of accessible and mobility ideas that can be integrated into the bedroom of an elderly person or a user with movement challenges, who wants to further enhance their safety in the bedroom.

How to make the bedroom safer for the elderly

1. Adjustable beds

Adjustable beds are designed to provide comfort and support for the user, and further care whilst they’re looking to change position in the bed.

They typically come with a very easy-to-use remote control and the panel allows the user to push a button to achieve their choice of comfort, giving them total control. Depending on your budget, other features can include a flexible mattress which will help with the bed adjustment. Massage functions and charging ports are also options. However, the main priority is to find the right model that helps to find the right bed comfort.

How does this help a senior person as well as those with accessibility and mobility challenges?

The remote-controlled beds help in numerous ways. Adjusting the height of the bed can help the user ease into the bed, with enhanced comfort they have a better quality of sleep, and one of the most important factors is that the user retains their independence.

2. Bedside fall mats

Linking the bed idea to increase the user's safety in the bedroom, placing bedside fall mats on either side of the bed is a good safety option.

It is worth having these around for extra safety as they act as soft-landing areas in case of an accidental fall and to prevent injuries.

Installing bedside fall mats means less worrying about falling and can ensure that better quality of sleep knowing you’re completely safe in your bedroom.

3. Non-slip flooring

This feature has a host of benefits. It is popular amongst accessible and mobility users for their homes and is one that we largely use in the many designs we produce as part of our fully project-managed service.

Non-slip flooring, also known as anti-slip vinyl flooring, plays an essential role in the bedroom safety of the elderly. The grip on the floor prevents the user from falling, minimising the risk of injury.

The elderly can also navigate their way around the bedroom safely, giving them a greater sense of independence, especially for those with accessibility and mobility challenges.

The installation of this bedroom feature will bring the user an increased level of confidence.

4. Bed rails

Continuing with our ideas on how we can make the bedroom safe for the elderly, accessible, and mobility users,fitting bed rails is relatively easy, meaning it can be something that can installed instantly with most modern beds having the capability to do so, helping our users on their way to safety in the bedroom.

This does depend on the design of the bed. Bed rails provide a sense of security whilst in the bed especially elderly and those with mobility challenges, this will make for peace of mind and better sleep as well as safety.

The most obvious feature is that like the ideas above it prevents the chances of a fall happening in the bedroom.

5. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

This idea might sound a bit obvious but it is worth checking that you have a smoke alarm installation in your bedroom and check the model to see that it is working. You could look to replace your existing model with a new and up-to-date model, just to be doubly safe.

This is beneficial for safety in the bedroom, for the elderly, and for users with accessibility and mobility challenges. Sensing and alerting users of a fire or a gas leak. Providing them with a take instant action.

6. Home assessment

If you or a user are unsure about the features that are needed to make the bedroom safe for their use, we encourage having a professional home assessment that would be tailored to the user's needs and requirements.

The assessment would include making you aware of potential hazards that exist and then they would provide a list of recommendations that can be integrated into the bedroom design to achieve a safe bedroom for the elderly.

At More Ability, our full design and fit service would include carrying out an assessment at your free design appointment to see challenges and see if we can tailor it to suit the needs of the user.

7. Regular maintenance

In conjunction with the home assessment, it would be wise to have regular maintenance of the safety of the bedroom to make sure that the existing safety design features in place are still intact and guarantee the protection of the elderly user in the bedroom.

To help you get started with the maintenance checks we recommend checking all the lighting is working and easily accessible.

Make sure that all the accessible features within the bedroom are in good condition and secure.

We strongly urge you to check for any potential hazards or wear and tear.

8. Motion-activated lighting

LED lighting is no longer just the future it is here and wherever possible we are looking to integrate it as part of our lives as they’re not only energy-efficient but make our overall daily lives easier.

How does this help the elderly in the bedroom?

The installation of motion-activated LED lights makes life easier for the elderly in the bedroom. They sense movement so they wouldn’t have to scramble around in the bedroom searching for the light especially when it is dark, reducing the risk of an injury occurring.

9. Bedroom organisation

This is another simple idea that can be instantaneously part of the day-to-day lifestyle of the elderly user or if you help those with accessibility and mobility challenges.

Keeping the bedroom floor clear of clutter and maintaining the cleanliness of the room is sensible, this would decrease the probability of a fall taking place. This would include removing trip hazard features like loose cords, rugs, and any other unnecessary furniture.

10. Emergency response systems

There is an option available to subscribe to a medical alert system that comes with a pendant or wristband that the user wears.

Installing one of these emergency response systems ensures the user's safety even in the bedroom. Connecting to the emergency services and in case of a fall or a medical issue they would be alerted.

Interested in upgrading the safety in your bedroom?

Those are our top 10 ideas for bedroom safety for the elderly, and those with accessibility and mobility challenges.

More Ability are specialist in delivering solutions for the elderly, to ensure that their needs, and requirements are catered to.

If you’re based in Yorkshire and for looking for experts in these services you can call us / book a free design appointment, for our team to carry out our full design and fit service.

FAQs

What are some additional bedroom safety tips for individuals with specific health conditions, like dementia or arthritis?

The bedroom can be tailored to suit the needs of the individual, and their health conditions. Some options for those with arthritis are adaptive tools like grab-reach bars and easy-grip handles. If you or the user are unsure, then you can consult with a healthcare provider for advice.

Safety tips that would help the safety of those with dementia would be to install doors with alarms and the room with video for monitoring.

How can I determine if my elderly loved one needs bedroom safety modifications?

Some of the signs that will show you are unexplained bruises appearing. They might struggle getting in and out of the bed, or unsteady movements.

It could be then that it would be worth having a conversation with them about their needs and consulting with a healthcare professional who can provide better insights with their expert knowledge.

Can I retrofit an existing bedroom to make it safer for an elderly family member, or do I need a complete remodel?

Many bedroom safety modifications can be implemented without completely remodelling the bathroom. The simple changes that can be made are handrails, and installing motion-activated lights both of which can significantly improve safety within the bedroom.

That being said a complete remodel could be necessary for the more extensive modifications.

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