Guest Voice: Simple bedroom fixes help ensure my husband’s safe sleep

One evening, as I was lying in bed reading a novel, I watched my husband, Dave, out of the corner of my eye. Once again, he was having trouble getting out of bed. He couldn’t pull himself up far enough to swing his legs over the side so he could go to the bathroom.

Dave has had early-onset Parkinson’s disease for 25 years, and at that point, we were at least 15 years post-diagnosis. When I heard Dave sigh and saw the struggle, I said, “Do you think it’s time to get you a bed rail?”

“I guess so,” he replied. “I’m worried I won’t always make it to the toilet in time.”

I’d already researched what was available to assist him in getting out of bed, but he hadn’t been emotionally ready to admit he needed it. Now he was.

Another quick internet query of “bed rails for seniors” led us to several viable choices for his situation. Dave’s pick was one of the bed rails from Stander Mobility. It would fit underneath our mattress and had adjustable legs to add stability. The company also had a foldable bed rail for travel that would fit in a suitcase. We bought both.

Problem solved. Dave has been using his bed rail for 10 years, grabbing it to help him rise and also often using it to help situate himself into his chosen sleeping position.

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A sticky situation

We soon became aware of another challenge Dave had: rolling over in bed. Dave had trouble hoisting his body up enough to easily move. He is also a hot sleeper, so he would get sweaty and stick to the sheets. He needed to push up hard with his arms to try to move his legs and torso. Hence, he would perspire more with the effort and get even hotter. Miserable nights ensued.

We tried moisture-wicking pajamas. We tried silkier pajamas. The former kept him cooler, and the latter helped him move. Neither one solved both issues. I learned from another caregiver that satin sheets could be dangerous as the sleeper could slide right out of bed, so we didn’t invest in those.

One day, when I was reading a post on the Facebook page of a Parkinson’s caregiver, I learned of Comfort Linen. The company specializes in sheet and pajama combinations for people with movement disorders. The sheets have a satin middle for aiding movement, but with cotton edges. By having a more solid fabric on the edges, a person is less likely to slide off the bed. The company also sells comfortable, breathable pajamas that are made to be used with their sheets.

What a difference these products have made for Dave! He moves about in bed more easily and is comfortable temperature-wise with a sheet and a light blanket. Since we have a split king bed, which is two twin, extra-long mattresses side by side, I continue to use a regular bottom sheet on my side and a regular king-sized top sheet for both of us.

A homemade solution

Another important change we made for bedroom safety was to remove the throw rug next to Dave’s side of the bed. Despite the backing, the rug would slide under his feet. However, Dave found that his feet were not gripping the bare tile floor, and he felt unsteady.

I improvised a wonderful solution. I cut a piece of rug matting that I had stored into a crescent shape and used packing tape to secure it to the floor on his side of the bed. Another problem solved. It has worked spectacularly. Dave’s feet grip it when he rises, and he can walk away safely. I can vacuum and wash it. I cannot say it’s attractive, but it makes him safer. We have learned to love it.

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