Quick Answer: Furniture risers raise a bed 3 to 6 inches, often the wrong tool for older adults. Research in Applied Ergonomics suggests the safest bed height is slightly above knee height (20 to 24 inches at mattress top). If the bed is too low, risers help. If it is too high, risers make falls worse. Measure first.
8 min read
The bed-height safety case
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation for older Canadians. Statistics Canada and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) have published repeatedly on the issue. Bed-related falls, specifically falls during the sit-to-stand transition of getting in or out of bed, are a significant subcategory. Bed height is one of the most modifiable factors.
What the research actually supports
A 2023 study in Applied Ergonomics (Elsevier) examined the biomechanics of getting in and out of hospital beds at various heights. The safest height is approximately at or slightly above knee height of the individual, with feet flat on the floor and a hip or knee angle just above 90 degrees while seated on the edge. The average knee height is 21.3 inches for men and 19.5 inches for women. Beds that are too low force the person to push up from a deep squat, which increases fall risk for anyone with quadriceps weakness or balance impairment. Beds that are too high cause sliding drops on exit. CMAJ publications on falls in older adults consistently emphasise individualised bed-height assessment. The Canadian Chiropractic Association concurs: neutral sit-to-stand posture matters.
Medical disclaimer: this is general information, not medical advice. Fall-risk assessment should be done by a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or family physician.
How to measure the current bed correctly
The 3-number measurement
- Floor to top of mattress. Measure from the floor to where the person actually sits. Include any topper or protector. Aim for 20 to 24 inches.
- Floor to knee, seated. Have the person sit on a firm chair. Measure from the floor to the top of the knee. This is the target bed-top height.
- Foot-to-floor angle, seated on bed edge. When the person sits on the edge of the bed, their feet should rest flat on the floor, not dangle and not press tiptoed. The knees should bend at roughly 90 degrees.
If the current bed height matches the knee height within 2 inches and the feet sit flat with 90-degree knees, the bed is right. Do not change it. If either number is off by more than 2 inches, the bed height is contributing to fall risk.
When furniture risers are the right answer
Cases where risers genuinely help
- The bed is a low-profile platform bed. Platform beds often sit at 15 to 18 inches at the mattress top. For older adults with knees at 20 inches, this is too low. Risers bringing the bed to 22 or 24 inches restore safe transfer height.
- The mattress is thin. A bed frame that worked fine with a 12-inch mattress may be too low after switching to a 7-inch mattress. Risers compensate.
- Under-bed storage is needed. For caregivers managing medical supplies, mobility aids, or bedding rotation, risers create vertical storage without replacing the frame.
- Transient use during recovery. Post-surgical recovery (hip replacement, knee replacement) may need a temporarily higher bed for 4 to 12 weeks. Risers are cheap and removable.
- Budget constraints. Replacing a bed frame costs hundreds; a riser set costs $20 to $40. For families stretched thin, risers are a meaningful accommodation.
When risers make the situation worse
Cases where risers are wrong
- The bed is already at knee height or above. Adding risers pushes the bed too high. The person has to drop from the mattress edge, which is the riskiest transfer pattern for falls.
- Unstable bed frames. Older wood frames or flimsy metal frames may not support the lateral forces introduced by risers. Falls from a bed that collapsed at 3 a.m. are catastrophic.
- Quick tip: if the frame wobbles before risers, it will wobble worse on risers. Fix the frame first or replace it.
- When lifting transfers are planned. If a family member or caregiver will be lifting the person in and out, lower is usually better, not higher. Ask the care team.
- Before balance or mobility assessment. Get a physiotherapist to assess before adding risers. What looks like a height problem might be a strength or balance problem that risers will worsen.
Safer alternatives to consider
Alternatives that often beat risers
- Adjustable bed base. An adjustable bed can be positioned head-up and knees-up for the sit-to-stand transition, then laid flat for sleep. Our Affordable Adjustable bed is a common pick for customers needing this. The base itself does not change overall height, but the angle assist often matters more than height.
- Panel bed with higher profile. If the bed is a low platform, replacing with a panel bed frame that naturally sits at 25 to 30 inches solves the height issue with a sturdier frame. Our panel bed vs platform bed guide covers the decision. Customers often look at the Almonte Canadian bed frame for traditional panel styles.
- Grab bar beside the bed. A wall-mounted or portable grab bar gives something to push or pull against during transfer. The Canadian Chiropractic Association considers grab bars standard for older-adult bedrooms.
- Mattress change. Sometimes the issue is not frame height but mattress softness. A too-soft mattress sinks at the edge during sit-to-stand, making stability worse. A medium-firm mattress with good edge support changes the transfer. Browse our mattress options or speak with us in person.
The full caregiver safety checklist
Before making any change
- Measure knee height while seated. Document it in writing for reference.
- Measure current bed top height with the mattress on.
- Observe a sit-to-stand transfer. Is the person pushing up from deep squat? Sliding off the edge? Needing to grab furniture? Note what you see.
- Assess frame stability. Shake the frame gently. Any wobble matters.
- Check edge support on the mattress. Sit near the edge. Does it compress? If so, the mattress may be part of the issue.
- Consult a healthcare professional for meaningful mobility changes. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can assess in 30 minutes and often has insights the family caregiver cannot see.
- Consider both bed height and transfer aids together. Grab bars, bed rails, or transfer boards often pair better with bed height changes than any single fix alone.
- Review after 4 weeks. Whatever you change, watch the first month. Falls often happen 2 to 4 weeks after a change as the body adjusts.
What we tell Brantford caregivers
We have been helping Brantford families outfit bedrooms since 1997, including many senior bedrooms and aging-in-place setups. The pattern we see most often: families add risers because a magazine article said to, without measuring first. Half the time the risers are wrong for the person. If you are caring for a parent or partner and the bed seems wrong, come into the showroom on West Street and tell us what is happening. We will help you measure, think through whether the frame or the mattress is the real issue, and walk through whether an adjustable bed, a panel bed, or risers actually fits the situation. For seniors with sit-to-stand difficulty, the Affordable Adjustable bed solves more than any riser ever will. A firm-edge mattress with good support changes the transfer experience entirely. No pressure, no commission games. This is a safety conversation, not a sales one.
For related reads, our wedge pillows medical guide covers related post-surgical and age-related bedroom supports, and our panel vs platform bed piece covers the frame decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal bed height for seniors?
Individualised, but roughly at or slightly above knee height when the person is seated. Average is 20 to 24 inches at the top of the mattress. Feet should rest flat on the floor with knees at roughly 90 degrees while sitting on the bed edge.
Are bed risers safe?
Safe when the bed is currently too low and the frame is solid. Unsafe when the bed is already at the right height (risers push it too high), when the frame is wobbly (risers worsen stability), or when adding them without assessing the underlying mobility issue.
Is an adjustable bed better than bed risers?
For most older adults with sit-to-stand difficulty, yes, meaningfully. The angle assist (head up, knees up) does more than pure height change. An adjustable bed also helps with reflux, breathing, and comfort. The cost is higher but the safety and comfort benefit is substantial.
Can a mattress be too soft for safe transfers?
Yes. A too-soft mattress sinks at the edge during sit-to-stand, leaving nothing to push up from and destabilising the transfer. Medium-firm mattresses with reinforced edge support are usually better for seniors.
Does Mattress Miracle help with senior-safety bed setups?
Yes. We do this with Brantford families every week. We can measure, assess the frame and mattress, and walk through adjustable bed, panel bed, or mattress change options. Visit us at 441 1/2 West Street or call (519) 770-0001 and ask for the senior safety conversation.
Related reading
- Wedge pillows medical guide
- Panel bed vs platform bed
- Vibrating alarms and bed shakers
- Mattress for insomnia and anxiety
- Sleep environment checklist for Canada
Visit our Brantford showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon to Wed 10 to 6, Thu to Fri 10 to 7, Sat 10 to 5, Sun 12 to 4
Caring for a parent and unsure if bed risers are the right call? Come in with the bed measurements and we will help you figure out what actually fits. Family-owned since 1997.
Sources
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Pena A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. The Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604.
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267.
- Caggiari G, Talesa GR, Toro G, et al. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2021;22(1):51.
- CertiPUR-US. What is Certified Foam? Consumer standards for foam emissions and chemistry.