I just could not bring myself to comment on the NYT page.

My Sister and I have been going thru the same mobility risk/benefit issues with our aging parents for the past 10 years. Both Mom & Dad (90 +) lost mobility (gradually at first) & have increased risks of falling with varying results. EVERY solution has their own trade offs.

We were counseled AGAINST the bed mounted GRAB rail at first. But it was INITIALLY a great benefit to Dad. Coupled with motion sensor lighting, it enabled him to safely get UP out of bed and stabilize himself before walking with his cane to the bathroom (multiple times) in the middle of the night.

After the move to assisted living, these midnight toilet trips became more risky. And one reason is was his increased reliance on the wheelchair & resulting lack of leg muscle tone.

Of course had I not slept over within eyesight, I would have had no idea how his routine had changed. The bed rail/grab bar slowly became a mixed blessing... and later enabled him to exit the bed on his own, which led to instability & slow motion falls and sliding to the floor from his mattress.

We discussed at great length the alternatives and WE finally agreed with the excellent staff. It was now time to remove the rail & force pillow Dad in place with diapers and 2 hour bed checks. An extra charge, but no more falls. This too, has some health risks.

Dad is in full dementia now and Mom died after multiple falls, broken hip & broken pelvis. could those falls have been prevented? Maybe... at some other risk.

We are blessed with an excellent Assisted Living Facility and our new extended family there.

Doctors and ER nurses may have their opinions, but if anyone wants the pro/cons of ANY mobility aid for the elderly ... the BEST person to ask is the resident aid (and lowest paid) in any facility.

And THAT would require frequent visits... sometimes overnight.

My mom was in assisted living for 5 years.
When I think about older folks, and maybe eventually me,getting caught in those rails and being injured, rendered immobile, or suffocating it is just awful! These situations should be preventable.
The fact that many people seem to not be concerned is the most disturbing issue for me.

Native:

My guess is throw rugs and extension cords have accelerated 20x more elderly tripping deaths than any bed rails.

All we can do is try to balance the risks.

Dad's bed rail made him a little more independent for three or four extra years. Now, a bed sore might kill him.

Mom tripped on a cherished old Japanese fishing float she had in front of the fireplace. It could have just as easily been a sock. But by then, her bones were close to the strength of Styrofoam.

It would be far more difficult to regulate other trip hazards like rugs, electrical cords and fishing floats. So we might as well regulate those nasty bed rails.