Bed rails are one of the most commonly purchased pieces of home safety equipment for older adults, and one of the most commonly misused. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains the critical difference between a rail designed to keep someone in bed and an assist handle designed to help them get out, and why that distinction matters so much for safety. She walks listeners through entrapment risks, the federal safety standard that became mandatory in 2023, how to check bed height before spending a dime, and why bed rails often backfire for someone living with dementia. Esther also shares practical ways to test a rail for stability and dangerous gaps before trusting it overnight. Visit  ...