Best Bed Height for Seniors
The best bed height for seniors will take into account personal factors including health and mobility. While many people never consider the height of a bed to be prohibitive or consequential, the elderly population may. See, aging can cause shrinkage in personal height, making a bed that was once of sufficient height no longer ideal. It can also come with other problems. Frail older people might not have the necessary strength to get in and out of bed unassisted. Finding the best bed height for seniors must be customized to each specific person based on specific needs and conditions.
The Best Bed Height for Seniors is Not Too High
High beds do not usually make the best bed height for seniors. These beds present multiple challenges. Seniors should not use a tall bed which requires a jump to get into. Aging often comes with medical issues. Something like decreased muscle tone may cause lifting the body up to be much more difficult than it previous was. It can also be dangerous for an older person who must slide down or jump off of the bed upon exit. This ups the risk of slipping and falling. Set up the bed frame and mattress so that when stepping out of bed, the feet reach the floor without a struggle.
Danger of Seniors Falling
Falling out of bed is significantly more serious for a senior as older people recover slower from trauma. Having bed height set at a lower level may reduce the severity of fall injuries. The National Council on Aging offers several recommendations for fall prevention. Increasing lighting throughout the home and using grab bars are a couple of them. Bed rails, when used properly can also aid in the prevention of falls from the bed. Since 75% of falls occur in the home and many originate from the bed, addressing fall risk is of major importance.
How to Lower a Bed
Numerous options are available to lower a high bed to create the best bed height for seniors. If the current bed has wheels, those can be removed. Cutting bed posts down on wood beds can be one solution as well. Mattresses, box springs and even bed frames come in low-profile models. These low-profile models can reduce up to around 4” of height off each that is replaced. Some bed bases also have 3-1 legs which allow you to select the height that best matches your needs. As a last resort, if the bed is too high consider using a step stool.
The Best Bed Height for Seniors is Also Not Too Low
Each situation is different which is why there isn’t one best bed height for seniors. The Journal of Clinical Nursing determined lower bed heights are better for high fall risk circumstances. The FDA supports that stance adding that beds should be kept low and locked. Seniors without a high risk of falling may find the perfect height is one that lowers joint stress. Proper bed height should allow each person to comfortably reach the floor without the knee being extended over the thigh. This reduces undue pressure on the knees.
How to Raise a Bed
Making a bed higher can be harder than lowering it for the best bed height for seniors. Obviously choosing a thicker mattress width or high base can help. Bed blocks are another option used to build a bed to the correct height. If possible use an adjustable bed or a hospital bed. One advantage to adjustable beds is that in many cases they come with adjustable legs. They also include many features that may impact overall health such as massage and positioning. Hospital beds are different than adjustable beds. They often come with the ability to manually or automatically lower and rise.
How Health Status Impacts Best Bed Height for Seniors
Strength, coordination, dementia, and other medical concerns might impact which bed height is best for seniors. Using a hospital bed at home may be a solution on the best bed height for seniors dilemma. Because these beds have variable heights, they satisfy the physical needs of seniors whose heights may change over time. They also help caregivers who may need to turn or lift seniors in bed. They make bed transfers easier and usually come with other safety features as well. They can be lowered to ideal height for those who are able to get into and out of bed unassisted.
Wrapping Up – Best Bed Height for Seniors
There is not one best bed height for seniors. Adjustments in the height of the bed will need to be made and re-evaluated over time. As health conditions worsen and mobility declines, the perfect height will change. Bed height affects us every day, whether we notice it or not. The physical demands of getting in and out of bed should not cause so much strain that it causes injury. Most people will want the bed height to fall within a 16”- 24” range from the floor. In 2012 a study published by Contemporary Nurse indicated patient knee height is the appropriate height of a horizontal bed. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states average knee height for women is 19.49” and for men it is 21.3”. Therefore personal height and health concerns should be evaluated to find the best bed height for seniors.
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