In this article, we have reviewed the best bed alarms for dementia patients. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
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Top Choice
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Second Choice
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Best Value
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Who is it for?:
High Range Option
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Who is it for?:
Bed Alarm Pad
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Who is it for?:
Alarm For Falling From Chairs As Well
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What's great?:
Cordless, Wireless with High Range, Monitor Multiple Devices Simultaneously
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What's great?:
Soft vinyl pad, Cordless, Easy to Use
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What's great?:
No on/off switch for the patient safety, Prevents Falls Alarms, Alarm casing made of break-resistant ABS plastic
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What could be better?:
Expensive
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What could be better?:
The batteries are not replacable
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What could be better?:
The switch off button of alarm is too small, can be a bit hard to see in night
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Contents
Dementia causes a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills. As per the WHO, nearly 50 million people have dementia across the world, and every year, 10 million new cases are reported[1].
The prevalence of dementia rises rapidly after the age of 50 years reaching upto nearly 20% in those above the age of 90 [2].
According to the national council of aging, 25 percent of the people above the age of 60 falls every year[3]. The number is even more prominent in people with Dementia.
One of the most common ways of falling in dementia patients is falling from bed, and it is nearly impossible for any caregiver to watch over the patient at all times.
The best solution for this problem is bed alarms that alert the people around whenever the patients try to get up from the bed. This article will discuss the best bed alarms for dementia patients available on amazon.
Our Top Choice – Smart Caregiver Alarm System
The Smart Caregiver Wireless Bed Alarm System - Cordless Weight Sensing Bed Alarm Pad (10” x 30”) with Remote Alert Monitor, Free Individual Cleaning Wipes and Liberty 7 Day Pill Box is our top choice for best bed alarms for dementia patients because of the following reasons:
- Its remote alert monitor notifies the caregiver with a sound that reaches up to 300 feet.
- Its range will cover most houses, across floors.
- The adjustable volume and gentle chime alert will not throw you or the elderly person off.
- It allows you to monitor multiple devices simultaneously.
Best Bed Alarms for Dementia Patients
#1 Smart Caregiver Bed Pad
The Smart Caregiver bed pad’s dimensions are 30 x 10 x 2 inches, and it weighs 1 pound.
Features and Benefits
- Effective: The caregiver alarm’s complete system includes one wireless bed alarm and one cordless sensor pad with a manufacturer warranty of one year. It’s an effective product for fall prevention. You can know immediately when someone is getting out of bed unattended.
- Cordless: This sensor pad of the bed is of soft vinyl which makes it easy to clean. It is also incontinence-resistant. Simply place the cordless sensor pad 30 inches across the bed’s width, under the sheet, and position the pad under the patient’s shoulder blades. The alarm will make a sound and alert you when they sit up or place it under the hips; the alarm will sound when the person is lifted (or falls) out of bed.
- Wireless: The wireless alarm can be placed closer to the caregiver, away from the sensor pad, in a suitable location. The alarm features low, medium, high volume options, and an alert.
- Battery: You can use batteries of 3″ C for easy portability or you can buy an AC-04E power adapter and use it.
Why should you buy it?
It a cordless and wireless bed alarm sensor, so you can put the alarm anywhere you want. It also features four levels of alert in the alarm.
You might like to read: How to Calm Down a Dementia Patient
#2 Smart Caregiver Alarm System
The Smart Caregiver bed alarm system’s dimensions are 30 x 10 x 2 inches, and it weighs 1.01 pounds.
Features and Benefits
- Fall & Wandering Prevention: It’s a safe and effective bed alarm system that alerts caregivers when the dementia patient will get down the alarm pad. While operating, place the sensor pad beneath the buttock or back of the patient under their sheet. As soon as the patient takes their weight off the sensor pad, the remote alert monitor notifies the caregiver with a sound that reaches up to 300 feet.
- Cordless Pad: This alarm Includes a cordless 10 x 30 inches weight sensing bed alarm pad. It is made of soft and latex-free vinyl with a foam interior. The pad is powered by a sealed battery for better protection and is impenetrable to fluids. It has a one-year lifespan includes ten individual cleaning wipes to assist with cleaning the pad.
- Wireless with High Range: The wireless alarm monitor can conveniently be placed in any place you want for effective wireless monitoring with a range up to 300 feet. You can install the monitor far from the bed, this will prevent noise and entanglements in the patient’s room. The adjustable volume and gentle chime alert offer a quieter option compared to a loud alarm. The alarm monitor is operated by 3-C batteries (not included) or an optional AC Adapter (AC-04).
- Monitor Multiple Devices Simultaneously: You can monitor multiple devices at a central area simultaneously. This alarm works using motion sensors, call buttons for nurses, cordLess sensing pads, and mats. It works with up to six items in one alarm.
- Extra Accessories: The package includes a cordless monitor (433-EC), 10″ x 30″ Cordless Sensor Pad (GBT-RI), Liberty seven-day pillbox, two cleaning singles Towelettes.
Why should you buy it?
This bed alarm sensor is cordless and wireless with a range of 300 meters. You can monitor multiple devices simultaneously with the monitor.
You might like to read: Best Door Locks For Dementia Patients
#3 Secure MAG-3 Alarm Monitor
The Secure MAG-3 Alarm Monitor is operated by three AAA batteries.
Features and Benefits
- Prevents Falling: The Secure MAG-3 patient chair or bed alarm monitor prevents fall and wandering and easily fixes on a chair, wheelchair, or bed frame to effectively alert the caregiver when a dementia patient attempts to rise from the bed.
- Alert Levels: The alarm has two alert tones, three-volume levels, a light bar for low battery and in-room alarm indication, no on/off switch for the patient safety, so the patient can’t turn the alarm off to disable. The alarm casing is made of break-resistant ABS plastic.
- Prevents Falls Alarms: This magnet pull string alarm features a circular magnet designed that smoothly pulls away from the alarm monitor in any direction while strong enough to avoid false alarms. The square magnet designs do not pull away effectively from any direction. The proprietary locking alligator clip attaches securely to clothing much better than any other alarm available.
- Alarm Holder & Mounting Strap: The mounting strap is hook and loop type and the alarm’s battery comes as part of the package. You get a warranty of one year for this alarm.
Why should you buy it?
This bed alarm has two different alert tones, and it also prevents false alarms due to the circular magnet design. It works well on wheelchairs or chairs as well.
You might like to read: How to Get Dementia Patients to Bathe
#4 Secure Bed Alarm Set
The Secure bed alarm set requires 1 D battery for operaraton.
Features and Benefits
- Automatic Reset: The Secure bed alarm set will give an alarm whenever the patient will try to get down or exit the bed. The monitor will automatically reset when the patient reaches the sensor pad.
- Easy to Store: The sensor pad with 12 x 30 inches dimensions can be folded for easy storage. It has a comfortable, ultra-thin design. It has no weight restrictions.
- Metal Connecting Pin: The sensor pad features a metal connecting pin that does not break easily compared to other standard alarms that use connectors of plastic. You can use the alarm on all beds.
- Extra Accessories: The whole set includes an alarm monitor, sensor pad, an alarm Holder with Velcro Strap, and 2x AAA Batteries.
- Covered with Warranty: The tamper-resistant alarm monitor & Velcro holder with a warranty of one year. The pad is Incontinent-proof and latex-free and comes with a 45-day warranty.
Why should you buy it?
The alarm monitor will rest automatically when the patient goes back to the sensor pad, and it can be easily stored when not in use.
#5 Secure MAT-3 Alarm Set
The Secure MAT-3 Floor Mat’s dimensions are 24 x 36 inches and it comes in black color.
Features and Benefits
- Prevents Failing: The Secure MAT-3- alarm set helps to avoid the patient from wandering or falling anywhere. Whenever the dementia patient take a step on the mat sensor which is in front of a wheelchair or next to the bed it will raise an alarm in the monitor alerting the caregiver. The floor mat with 24″ x 36″ dimensions is professionally made for long-term continuous use.
- Heavy duty: The floor mat is slip-resistant and reversible to two sides and has a connecting cord that is eight feet and comes with a connecting pin that is unbreakable.
- Adjustable Volume & Flashlight Alert: The volume, light, and tamper-resistant feature of the alarm sent work the best. These features work well with the call system of nurses.
- Safe Floor Mat: The floor mat cover material is both latex-free and flame resistant.
- Accessories & warranty: The whole set includes MAT-3 24″ x 36″ reversible floor mat, alarm monitor along with protective mounting holder and batteries. A one-year full replacement warranty covers the alarm.
Why should you buy it?
This floor alarm monitor is quite heavy duty and durable. It features adjustable volume and flashlight alerts as well.
You might like to read: Best Door Alarms for Dementia
Buyer’s Guide: Best Bed Alarms for Dementia Patients
Prevents Falling
This is the primary reason for buying a bed alarm for dementia patients in the first place as dementia patients have a tendency to fall from bed when any caretaker is not around. The alarm should always effectively alert the caretaker immediately whenever the patient gets off from his/her bed.
Protected Pad
The pad is usually placed under the sheets of the bed. It should be protected enough not to get penetrated by any fluids as senior people with dementia tend to wet their beds quite often.
Adjustable Alarm Volume
It’s an additional feature but still an important one as having adjustable volume always works because you can set the alarm volume according to different circumstances.
For instance, if you are listening to music or watching TV, you might need the higher volume setting, but if it is night time and you don’t want to disturb anyone else with the alarm noise, than the lowest setting will work the best.
You might like to read: Best Medical Alert System For Alzheimer’s And Dementia Patients
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Bed Alarms for Dementia Patients
Are there any bed alarms that don’t make noise?
Most bed alarms that don’t make noise needs to be connected with a pager, which is usually sold separately by many companies. If you don’t want to buy a pager separately, you can buy an alarm with a gentle chime alert option.
How to set a bed alarm?
To activate the alarm, the patient has to first get in the bed, and then you have to push the button that activates the bed alarm pad sensor. Every bed is different, so it’s tough to say what the button will look like, but most will have an indicator light a beeping sound, so you know it is set.
You might like to read: Bedwetting Alarms for Seniors and Children
Conclusion
In our opinion, the Smart Caregiver Wireless Bed Alarm System - Cordless Weight Sensing Bed Alarm Pad (10” x 30”) with Remote Alert Monitor, Free Individual Cleaning Wipes and Liberty 7 Day Pill Box is the best choice among the various options that we have considered because it is wireless with high range.
The Smart Caregiver Wireless and Cordless Weight Sensing Bed Pad – 10” x 30” (Monitor or Alarm Included). is our next best choice because it is cordless.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Secure Magnet Pull Cord Chair and Bed Alarm for Elderly Adults - Bed Alarms and Fall Prevention for Dementia Patients - Wheelchair Tab Clip Alert Room Monitors for Seniors, which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
You can also install a chair alarm for the elderly to ensure their safety.
References
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407519/
[3] https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/