Sorry for the delay.

A couple of weeks ago, I told you that in a home environment, the # 1 use for a bed rail is to help people get into and out of their beds safely.

This counter-intuitive fact offers a wide range of opportunities -both to end-use Customers…and to specialty HME and HHC retailers.

Here’s why.

If we work on the premise, that in an at-home environment, people primarily use bed rails to help them transfer in and out of their beds, then almost very person who has  trouble walking, standing, sitting, bending, etc is likely to experience increased safety, comfort, and convenience  if we educate them about bed rails and help them to find the right bed rail for their budget and needs. (of course, this means that Customers using wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, and canes might benefit from the use of a bedrail. If you have an HME/DME store…are you/your staff educating your Customers and thier care givers?)

Here are some of the most effective choices -along with some examples of the kind of people and situations each bed rail can help.

The EZ ADJUST BED RAIL from Stander has been their top-selling bed rail solution for a number of years. This is very unusual because the EZ Adjust is also their highest priced rail, with a US MSRP of $140!!!! So, why doso many people buy it?

FEATURES AND BENEFITS: The EZ Adjust is unique in its ability to adjust its length, with the press of a button, from 25″ to 24″ to 42″. This can be done easily by the user (in their bed or out) or by a caregiver. The rail also folds down 180 degrees to make it easy to change the sheets and/or  to transfer bed-ridden patients into and out of their bed. (With a non-folding bed rail, you’d need to remove the rail or try to work around it) Of course, the EZ Adjust comes with a padded pouch that has 4 convenient organizer-pouches per side, so that people have a place for tv remotes, eye glasses, tissues, sweets, etc

Dual saftey strap secures bed rail to any home or hospital bed. Supports up to 400 pounds.

THE EZ ADJUST WORKS GREAT FOR….

 a. King size beds

b. Adjustable beds…install on the head-side of the bend and the rail will extend beyond the bend…without damaging the expensive and sensitive raising/lowering mechanism.

c. Situations where a loved one has been moved home from a facility to be cared for in their home bed. You can install an EZ Adjust on each side of the bed(offset) and when extended, they will keep the patient safetly in their own comfortable bed at home.

The BEDSIDE ECONORAIL  light and very strong. Weighing less than 2 pounds, but capable of supporting 300 pounds, the Econorail is ideal for those young-at-hear people who want to travel, and still enjoy the safety and convenience of a bedrail, while staying in a hotel, or on a crusie ship, or even in the bedroom of a family member who lives in a different city.

Please allow me to explain. If you use a bed rail at home, then you probably would also benefit from having one to assist you getting in and out of bed, wherever you travel. The problem? The old-school onepience bent bedrails are big and heavy….and you just can’t imagine yourself carrying one onto the “Love Boat” or on to a 747 jumbo jet. 

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:The Bedside econorail is an ideal solution – not only because its light and strong, but also because it comes withy a stylish traveltote, which you could always just carry on board if your luggage was too full. (people would probably think you’re carrying a laptop. LOL  Also comes with no-slip grips and a saftey strap. The 4-pocket organizer is great for tv remotes, tissues, eye glasses, etc. As its name suggests, the Econorail is not expensive, and with a $70 or less MRSP, this is a fantastic value.

WORKS GREAT FOR…. people who use a bed rail and still want to travel -whether its part of their “Bucket List” to visit the Graet Wall of China or whether they just want to visit their new grandbaby on the coast.

THE 30″ SAFETY BED RAIL from Stander is a timeless classic.  Its broad flat 30″ handle makes it ideal for people with balance issues or sudden spells of diziness. And because it supports up to 400 pounds the 30″ bed rail, can accomodate very large people. The whole rail pivots down 180 degrees to make it easy to change bed linens and/or transfer in and out of the bed. If you like this rail, I highly recommend getting the optional padded pouch as well. Its very well made and has a significant amount of padding which makes life a little more comfortable  for those who toss and turn.

The 30 ” SAFETY BED RAIL WORKS GREAT FOR….  people who want solid reliability -without a lot of bells and whistles. With a 400 pound weight capacity, this rail just works -all the time, every time. Many long term care facilities will choose the 30″ Safety Bed Rail because its reliable finctionality and specifications meet and exceed most government requirement and with a mid-range price poiint, the 30″ is honest value.

THE MOBIITY BED RAIL is a bed rail with legs…and a swing out arm. Numerous HME store managers and staff have told us about Customers who come in and shake each bed rail, while saying “this doesn’t feel very stable”. The Mobility Bed Rail and its sibling, the Stable Rail, have sturdy legs that reach the floor and provide great support and an increased sense of stability. (I’ve seen a Mobility Rail shoved between a mattress and box spring in less than 10 seconds…and then watched a 250+ pound man support his whole body weight on the rail, while balancing with legs lifted!) The swing out arm provides an excellent additional transfer point for people who are moving from their bed to a walker, wheelchair, or rollator.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Swing out mobility arm pivots outward to provide improved transferring
• 4 pocket organizer provides storage for handy items
• anti-slip grips secures the rail between the mattress and bed frame
• Easy installation – installs in seconds, with no tools required

SPECIFICATIONS: Weight capacity 300 pounds

WORKS GREAT FOR….

a. People who need to tranfer from their bed to a wheelchair, walker, or rollator

b. People with the new thicker pillow-top-type mattresses. The Mobility Bed Rail, not only adjusts down to reach the floor -it also has a second adjustment up, so that the rail handle can extend up above a thick mattress (17.5″ to 22.5″)

 STABLE RAIL - the Bed Rail with Legs.  The Stable Rail is great for people who want “more stability”. While I have never heard of a bed rail that has broken…we do hear regular comments about rails that “don’t feel solid” -especially from people who like to walk into a show room and grab each bed rail with both hands -and shake them back and forth.  The Stable Rail feels more solid, because it has legs that reach the floor.

WORKS GREAT FOR….

a. people who want/need an extra level of stability, derived from bed rail legs that reach the ground

b. People with thick mattresses, who could benefit from the Stable Rail’s vertical adjustment.

 BEDCANE: The Bedcane has been around for more than a dozen years; yet it continues to meet specialized wants and needs, such as:

1. People who don’t want an “institutional/hospital” feel in their home.  The Bedcane has an ergonomic, non-institutional look, with a non-slip padded handle.
2. 2. People and institutions who are concerned about entrapment issues will ofetn choose the Bedcane, because it meets and exceeds all US requirements against entrapment.  The padded handy 4 pocket rganizer provides an extra level of protection -as well as a convenient place to store remotes, tissues, glasses, etc. (We’d be happy to  provide details upon request)
3. 3. Beds without a traditional boxspring and mattress. Many stores tell us about the problems they’ve had finding a bed rail solution for Customers, who have non-tradtional beds.  (no box spring) Because of its broad sturdy wooden platform, the Bedcane is often just the solution required.
4. 4. Preganant females: In the later stages of their pregancy, many women could use a little help getting in and out of bed more comfortably. The Bedcane is often a great solution, because its strong and supportive…but doesn’t look “hospital-like” and therefore, doesn’t carry the negative connotations, which may be associated with ”hospital equipment”.

Questions?

Comments?

Email me at patrick@avenueinnovations.com.

I’ll be happy to provide more information.