Devices to assist getting out of bed: what helps and what to check
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- Bed assist handle with retention strap, labeled to the federal standard. Best for: A mentally alert adult who needs a handhold to push up from sitting. See options on Amazon
- Freestanding or bed-mounted trapeze bar. Best for: Shifting position and sitting up with arm strength. See options on Amazon
- Leg lifter strap with foot loop. Best for: Lifting a stiff or weak leg over the bed edge after hip or knee surgery. See options on Amazon
Why bed handles need extra care
A small handle looks harmless, but CPSC treats it as an adult portable bed rail. In April 2024, CPSC re-announced a recall of about 272,000 Essential Medical Supply Endurance hand bed rails, metal handles about 17 to 21 inches high and 20 inches wide. CPSC said users could become trapped within the rail or between the rail and the side of the mattress. The deaths reported include two 86-year-old men and a 99-year-old man. The company has stopped operating and offers no remedy, so CPSC told owners to stop using, take apart and throw away these rails.
That was not a one-off. CPSC's 2024 urgent warning listed nine adult portable bed rail recalls since 2021, linked to 18 deaths, and an April 2021 safety warning about 113,000 units from Bed Handles, Inc. CPSC data show 92% of deaths associated with these rails come from entrapment, usually of the head or neck.
Setup checks for any bed handle
- Search the brand and model on cpsc.gov/Recalls before use, including handles that were gifted or bought secondhand.
- Confirm the handle complies with the federal adult portable bed rail standard.
- Press it firmly against the side of the mattress and secure the retention strap.
- Keep at least 12.5 inches between the handle and the headboard or footboard.
- Keep nightstands and dressers away from it, and do not install two rails side by side.
- Make sure it suits your bed and mattress, and never modify it.
CPSC also asks families to monitor anyone at risk of entrapment, such as a person with cognitive impairment. The FDA adds that people with confusion, restlessness, weak muscle control, dementia, Parkinson's, stroke or low blood pressure are at high risk. For them, a trapeze, a lower bed or a helper may be the safer route. Our bed rails for seniors page covers full-length rails.
The main devices compared
| Device | How it helps | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bed assist handle | A grab handle at the bed's edge to push or pull on while sitting up and standing | Legally an adult portable bed rail; entrapment risk if gaps open |
| Bed trapeze | An overhead bar for pulling up and shifting position with the arms | Needs arm and shoulder strength |
| Leg lifter strap | A loop under the foot to lift a stiff or weak leg onto or off the bed | Helps the leg, not standing balance |
CPSC says adult portable bed rails, a group that includes hand bed rails like the recalled ones described below, help people stand or position themselves on a bed, assist mobility or give support when sleeping, in private homes and care settings. The FDA lists a bed trapeze as an alternative for repositioning and getting in and out of bed. For the leg strap, see our leg lifter guide.
Start with the bed and the routine
Before buying anything, check the setup. MedlinePlus advises a bed low enough that your feet touch the floor when you sit on the edge, and a mattress firm enough that you do not sink in when sitting on the side.
Timing matters too. MedlinePlus caregiver guidance says to let a person sit on the edge of the bed for a few moments before standing, in case they feel dizzy.
Getting help with the choice
A physical or occupational therapist can watch how you get up, check bed height and suggest the device and technique that fit your strength and balance. If a caregiver is helping with transfers, a gait belt gives them a safer place to hold than an arm or clothing.
What to look for when you buy
Bed assist handle with retention strap, labeled to the federal standard
Best for: A mentally alert adult who needs a handhold to push up from sitting
CPSC says adult portable bed rails help people stand or position themselves on a bed, and it ties safer use to a secured retention strap, no gap against the mattress and a compliant design.
Watch out: Entrapment deaths have been linked to recalled handles. Not for people with cognitive impairment unless closely monitored and cleared by a clinician.
See options on AmazonFreestanding or bed-mounted trapeze bar
Best for: Shifting position and sitting up with arm strength
The FDA lists a bed trapeze as an alternative to bed rails for repositioning and getting in and out of bed.
Watch out: Not a fit for people with weak or painful shoulders; check the weight limit and the bed fit.
See options on AmazonLeg lifter strap with foot loop
Best for: Lifting a stiff or weak leg over the bed edge after hip or knee surgery
It lets your arms move the leg for you, so a stiff or weak leg does not have to lift itself onto or off the mattress. Our leg lifter guide covers how hospital teams teach it.
Watch out: It does not help with standing. Follow your surgeon's precautions on how far to bend.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What is the best device to help get out of bed?
- It depends on what is hard. A bed handle helps with pushing up to stand, a trapeze helps with sitting up using the arms, and a leg lifter helps move a stiff leg. A therapist can tell you which one fits.
- Are bed assist handles safe?
- They can trap a person's head, neck or chest if gaps form. CPSC has announced several recalls with deaths, so check the model on cpsc.gov/Recalls and follow the gap and strap checks.
- How can an elderly person get out of bed more easily?
- Set the bed low enough that their feet touch the floor, use a firm mattress, and sit on the edge for a few moments before standing, as MedlinePlus advises.
- Is a bed trapeze better than a bed rail?
- The FDA lists a bed trapeze as an alternative when bed rails are not appropriate. It needs arm strength, so it suits some people better than others.
Sources
- Essential Medical Supply Reannounces Recall of Adult Portable Bed Rails Due to Entrapment and Asphyxia Hazards (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Issues Urgent Warning About Adult Portable Bed Rails (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Recommendations for Consumers and Caregivers about Adult Portable Bed Rails (fda.gov), U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Getting your home ready: knee or hip surgery (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Moving a patient from bed to a wheelchair (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine