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It depends on state law. Florida has some of the toughest laws for elder care.

Bedrails have been illegal in Florida nursing homes for many, many years. They are a choking hazard and Florida had a lot of deaths from seniors rolling into the bedrails and dying from choking.

In lieu of bedrails nursing homes have switched to beds that lower to the floor. If the senior is
a roll risk you can request a gym pad to be put on the floor next to the bed. If the senior rolls out
of the bed they have about a 4" or 6" drop until they land on the gym pad.

Bedrails are considered a restraint. Depending upon your state you may see bedrails still in use.
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Reply to brandee
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Yes, by law they cannot restrain due to patient safety. It may seem counterproductive but it is safer to lower bed, use alarms and have mats at sides of beds.

Many people, not only elders, fight when restrained and sustain worse injuries than if they were not restrained.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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By law, they cannot restrain them in any way. Pads can be put on the floor and the bed lowered so if they fall out of bed they do not get hurt. They cannot restrain them in a wheelchair but they can put an alarm on them. Believe me, if they could restrain they would.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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If you are confused by the rules and regulations of a long-term care facility the questions should be asked of their administration, not a Forum of strangers.

Welcome to Forum, and please fill in your profile for us so that we have information and will be more able to help you with answers appropriate to your personal situation.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Rules have changed over the years. Residents now cannot be restrained and bedrails are no longer used. Some places move mattresses to the floor for residents at high risk of falling out of bed, others use bed alarms
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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