Bed aids for the elderly in Ireland: bed levers, bed handles, pull-up ladders, leg lifters and bed raisers for sitting up and getting in and out of bed safely.
Bed Aids to Compare
Getting in and out of bed is one of the hardest daily movements for many older people, and one of the most common times for a fall. Bed aids give a firm handhold for sitting up, turning and standing, or change the height of the bed so each move takes less effort.
This guide covers bed levers and bed handles, pull-up ladders, floor-to-ceiling poles, leg lifters and bed raisers, plus comfort aids for people who spend long hours in bed. If the main worry is someone rolling out of bed at night, see our guide to bed rails for the elderly instead.
Bed aids compared
| Type | Key detail | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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LIFERUN bed rising aid Standing up | Bed lever | 8 height settings | €39.99 | View on Amazon |
Dyna-Living assist rail Divan beds | Bed lever | 150 kg, storage bag | €64.82 | View on Amazon |
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KkaFFe bed ladder Sitting up | Pull-up ladder | 6 handles | €27.74 | View on Amazon |
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Stander security pole Standing, turning | Floor-to-ceiling pole | 136 kg, padded | €231.18 | View on Amazon |
Mabor leg lifter Lifting legs | Leg lifter | 100 cm strap, foot loop | €8.35 | View on Amazon |
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Aidapt linked bed raiser Low beds | Bed raiser | 63 to 113 mm lift | €61.82 | View on Amazon |
Days bed cradle Sore feet, legs | Bed cradle | Holds covers up to 5 kg | €37.95 | View on Amazon |
Orthopaedic bed wedge Sitting up in bed | Wedge pillow | Washable zip cover | €22.09 | View on Amazon |
Today’s prices on bed levers, pull-up ladders, bed raisers, poles and more.
Table of Contents
Bed Levers and Bed Handles
A bed lever, also called a bed handle or bed assist rail, is a short, sturdy handle that sits beside the bed at about hip height. You use it to pull yourself up from lying to sitting, to turn over, and to push up to standing once your feet are on the floor.
Most bed levers have a flat frame that slides under the mattress, held in place by the weight of the mattress and a strap around the bed base. Some also have legs that rest on the floor for extra stability. They suit divan beds and standard beds, and many fold down when not needed.
A bed lever is built to take pulling and pushing, which a fall-prevention bed rail is not. It is also short, so it does not stop someone rolling out of bed. Pick the one that matches the problem: a lever for getting in and out, a bed rail for staying in.
When choosing a bed lever, check the maximum user weight, that it fits the depth of your mattress, and that the handle height adjusts to suit you sitting on the edge of the bed.
Pull-Up Ladders and Bed Poles
Bed ladders are rope or strap ladders tied to the foot of the bed. Lying on your back, you pull yourself up to sitting one rung at a time. They are cheap, need no fitting, and suit people with weak stomach muscles, back pain, or after abdominal surgery.
Floor-to-ceiling poles are tension poles wedged tight between the floor and ceiling beside the bed, often with a curved grab bar. They give a fixed handhold for standing up and turning to sit, and can be placed exactly where you need them. Check the ceiling is solid and that the pole is fitted as the maker says, as they rely on pressure to stay in place.
Bed trapezes hang a handle over the bed for pulling up and repositioning. They are mostly used with hospital or profiling beds and are best set up with advice from an occupational therapist.
Leg Lifters
A leg lifter is a stiff strap with a hand loop at one end and a foot loop at the other. You hook it over your foot and lift the leg onto the bed with your arms instead of your hip. It is one of the most useful aids after a hip or knee replacement, and also helps getting legs into a car or onto a footstool. It costs less than €10.
Bed Raisers: Getting the Bed Height Right
A low bed makes standing up much harder, because the knees end up higher than the hips. Bed raisers lift the bed so that when you sit on the edge with your feet flat on the floor, your hips are level with or slightly above your knees.
- Cone or block raisers go under each leg and lift the bed by a fixed amount.
- Linked raisers join the raisers at each end with a bar, so they cannot slide apart. They are steadier, and the safer choice for a bed that gets heavy use.
Bed raisers only work with beds on legs, not castors. Do not raise the bed so high that your feet do not reach the floor when sitting, and check the bed is still steady when you push on it from the side.
Comfort Aids for Time Spent in Bed
- Bed cradles hold the sheets and blankets off the feet and legs. They help with sore feet, leg ulcers, gout and after surgery.
- Wedge pillows raise the upper body for reading, breathing or reflux, and make sitting up in bed easier.
- Overbed tables keep meals, drinks and a book within reach without leaning. See our guide to overbed tables.
Getting In and Out of Bed Safely
- Getting out: roll onto your side facing the edge, let your legs drop over the side, then push up with your arms to sitting.
- Sit for a moment on the edge before you stand, especially at night or after medication. Feeling dizzy on standing is common.
- Stand up by pushing from the bed or a bed lever, not by pulling on a walking aid or furniture that can move.
- Getting in: sit on the edge, lie down onto your side, then lift your legs onto the bed, using a leg lifter if needed.
Keep a night light on the route to the bathroom, and keep your walking stick or frame within reach of the bed.
Help From the HSE
If you have a medical card, an occupational therapist can assess you at home and the HSE may supply bed levers, raisers and other bedroom aids, and in some cases a profiling bed. Ask your GP or public health nurse for a referral. Our guide to mobility aids grants in Ireland explains the HSE aids and appliances scheme.
Every bed lever, ladder, raiser and bedroom aid we list, with today’s prices.
Bed Aid Questions
What is a bed lever?
A bed lever is a short, sturdy handle that fits beside the bed, usually held in place under the mattress. It gives a firm handhold for sitting up, turning over and pushing up to stand.
Is a bed lever the same as a bed rail?
No. A bed lever is built to be pulled and pushed on when getting in and out of bed. A bed rail is a longer barrier meant to stop someone rolling out, and is not designed as a grab handle.
How high should a bed be for an elderly person?
When sitting on the edge of the bed with feet flat on the floor, the hips should be level with or slightly above the knees. If the bed is lower, bed raisers can lift it.
What helps an elderly person sit up in bed?
A bed ladder tied to the foot of the bed, a bed lever beside it, or a wedge pillow to raise the upper body. A profiling bed with a powered backrest helps most but is usually supplied after an assessment.
Can I get bed aids from the HSE?
If you have a medical card, an occupational therapist may supply bed levers, bed raisers and other aids after a home assessment. Ask your GP or public health nurse for a referral.