If Getting Into Bed Ends With Someone Lifting Both Legs, Look at the Setup First

An elderly person walks to the bed, turns around, and sits down successfully.

Then the difficult part begins.

They try to bring one leg onto the mattress but cannot lift it high enough.

The second leg is even harder.

A family member eventually bends down, supports the legs, and lifts them onto the bed.

This may happen every night.

Over time, a task that looks simple can become frustrating for the elderly person and physically demanding for the caregiver.

The problem is not always that the person needs to be lifted more strongly.

Bed height, mattress design, sitting position, available support, leg movement, and the sequence used to enter the bed can all affect how difficult the movement becomes.

A suitable Nursing Bed can provide adjustable positioning and height options, but the correct solution starts by identifying exactly where the movement fails.

First Identify Which Part of Getting Into Bed Is Difficult

“Cannot get into bed” is too broad to solve effectively.

Observe Whether the Person Has Difficulty With:

• Walking to the bedside
• Turning before sitting
• Lowering onto the mattress
• Moving backward far enough on the bed
• Lifting the first leg
• Lifting the second leg
• Rotating the body into a lying position
• Repositioning after both legs are on the mattress

The Exact Failure Point Matters

An elderly person who cannot lift one leg onto the mattress may need a different solution from someone who can lift both legs but cannot rotate the hips or move farther into the bed.

Problem 1: The Mattress Surface Is Too High

Bed height is one of the first things to check when an elderly person can sit down but cannot bring the legs onto the mattress.

A Higher Mattress Edge Requires More Leg Lift

The person may need to raise the thigh, bend the knee, and move the leg over the mattress edge at the same time.

For someone with reduced hip or leg strength, a few extra centimeters can make the movement noticeably harder.

Measure the Mattress-Top Height

Do not measure only the metal bed platform.

The elderly person must move the legs over the top of the actual mattress.

Problem 2: The Bed Is Too Low for the Sitting and Standing Parts of the Transfer

Lowering the bed is not always the complete answer.

If the bed becomes too low, sitting down and standing back up may become more difficult.

This Creates a Trade-Off

A higher surface may make standing easier for some people but make lifting the legs onto the bed harder.

A lower surface may reduce the height the legs must clear but require more effort during standing.

This Is Why Height Adjustment Can Be Valuable

An adjustable nursing bed can allow the height to be changed according to the stage of the movement rather than forcing every transfer to happen at one fixed level.

Problem 3: The Elderly Person Sits Too Close to the Foot End

Sometimes the difficulty is not leg strength but starting position.

If the Person Sits Too Far Toward the Foot of the Bed:

• The body may need to travel farther before lying comfortably
• The legs may approach the mattress at an awkward angle
• The person may need several additional repositioning movements

Mark the Preferred Sitting Area

For a consistent routine, families can identify the area where the person should normally sit before moving the legs onto the bed.

Problem 4: The Person Does Not Move Far Enough Back Onto the Mattress Before Lifting the Legs

Many elderly users sit only on the very edge of the mattress.

This can feel safer initially because the feet remain firmly on the floor.

But if the hips stay too close to the edge, there may be very little mattress supporting the body when the legs begin to lift.

The Person May Then Feel That They Are Falling Backward or Sideways

As a result, they may stop the movement and ask the caregiver to lift the legs instead.

Positioning Before Leg Movement Can Be Important

The appropriate position depends on the individual's mobility, balance, and care plan.

Problem 5: A Very Soft Mattress Edge Makes the Transfer Harder

A soft mattress may feel comfortable while lying down, but an unstable edge can create problems during bed entry.

When the Person Sits on a Very Soft Edge:

• The hips may sink deeply
• The effective bed height changes
• The body may lean backward
• Turning and repositioning may require more effort

Edge Stability Matters

Families should evaluate both sleeping comfort and how the mattress behaves when the elderly person sits on its side.

Problem 6: The Mattress Is Too Thick for the Bed and User

Adding a thick topper or replacing the original mattress can unintentionally change the transfer environment.

A Thicker Mattress Can Increase:

• Final sitting height
• Distance the legs must be lifted
• Side rail and mattress relationship

Do Not Choose Mattress Thickness Independently From the Bed

The bed frame, mattress, user height, and transfer routine should be considered together.

Problem 7: The Person Has Enough Strength to Stand but Not Enough Hip Flexion to Lift the Leg

Standing and lifting a leg onto a mattress are different movements.

An elderly person may still be able to walk short distances but struggle to lift the thigh high enough to clear the mattress edge.

You May Notice:

• The knee lifts only slightly
• The foot catches the mattress edge
• One leg is much harder than the other
• The person uses the hands to help move the thigh

Do Not Assume More Practice Will Automatically Solve It

If mobility has changed noticeably, professional assessment may be appropriate to understand the reason and identify a safe transfer method.

Problem 8: The Caregiver Is Doing the Entire Movement for the Person

When a transfer becomes difficult, family members naturally want to help.

But if the caregiver immediately takes over the movement every night, the elderly person may participate less and less.

Observe What the Person Can Still Do

• Can they move one leg independently?
• Can they slide the heel?
• Can they turn the hips?
• Can they push through the arms?
• Can they reposition after lying down?

Assistance Should Match the Person's Actual Ability

When physical assistance is needed, families should use the safe handling method recommended for that individual rather than improvising difficult lifting techniques.

One Leg May Be Much Harder Than the Other

Do not assume both sides of the body perform equally.

An Elderly Person May Have:

• A stronger leg
• A weaker leg
• A painful side
• A preferred turning direction

Bed Orientation Can Matter

If the room layout allows it, the usual entry side should be discussed with the person and relevant healthcare professionals when mobility is limited.

Watch Which Leg Goes Onto the Bed First

Many people naturally develop a preferred movement sequence.

For Example:

• First leg onto mattress
• Second leg follows
• Body rotates
• Hips reposition

Do Not Change a Successful Routine Without a Reason

When a method is safe and appropriate, consistency can make the movement easier to remember and perform.

The Side Rail Should Not Block the Entry Point

A side rail may be useful in one bed position but inconvenient during entry.

Before Buying a Nursing Bed, Check:

• How the rail opens
• How much clear space remains
• Whether the elderly person can sit close enough to the mattress
• Whether the caregiver can stand beside the transfer area

Look at the Bed With the Rail Open

Catalog photos showing only the raised rail do not tell you whether the entry space is practical.

Check Whether a Bedside Cabinet Is Blocking the Correct Sitting Position

Furniture placement can quietly make bed entry more difficult.

A Bedside Cabinet May Force the Person To:

• Sit too close to the foot end
• Turn in a smaller space
• Approach the bed from an awkward angle

Keep the Transfer Side Clear

Frequently used items should remain accessible without occupying the space needed for getting into and out of bed.

Check the Floor Area Beside the Bed

Before the elderly person sits down, the approach area should be practical and uncluttered.

Look for:

• Loose rugs
• Electrical cables
• Footstools
• Storage boxes
• Furniture corners

The Final Leg-Lifting Problem May Begin Before the Person Reaches the Bed

An awkward approach can leave the body poorly positioned before sitting even begins.

Backrest Adjustment May Help After the Legs Reach the Mattress

Some elderly people can lift the legs onto the bed but then struggle to lower the upper body safely into a lying position.

An Adjustable Backrest Can Change the Starting Position

The user may begin with the back section partially raised instead of moving directly from upright sitting to a completely flat mattress.

The Correct Angle Depends on the Individual

Maximum backrest elevation is not automatically the most useful position.

Do Not Use the Backrest to Pull the Person Up the Mattress

Electric functions should support positioning, not substitute for an appropriate transfer method.

If the Person Ends Up Too Low in the Bed Every Night:

• Review where they sit initially
• Review mattress friction
• Review the movement sequence
• Review whether assistance is needed

Solve the Starting Position Instead of Repeatedly Correcting the Final Position

Can Leg-Section Adjustment Help?

Electric leg adjustment can provide useful resting positions once the person is on the bed.

But it should not be confused with physically lifting the person's legs from the floor onto the mattress.

Its Main Value May Be After Entry

• Comfort positioning
• Changing resting posture
• Supporting selected care routines

Do Not Buy a Leg Motor Assuming It Automatically Solves Bed Entry

Identify the actual movement difficulty first.

Would an Adjustable-Height Nursing Bed Help?

It can be useful when the correct height changes during different parts of the routine.

For Example, the Bed May Need a Different Height For:

• Sitting down
• Moving the legs onto the mattress
• Standing up
• Caregiver assistance

Test the Complete Routine on the Sample Bed

Do not judge height adjustment only by reading the minimum and maximum numbers in a catalog.

Manual or Electric Height Adjustment?

Both can change the bed height, but the practical experience may be different.

Consider How Often the Height Needs to Change

If the bed is adjusted several times during a normal day, electric adjustment may be easier for a family caregiver to use consistently.

Choose According to the Care Routine

A feature has value only if the family actually uses it.

Do Not Automatically Buy the Lowest Possible Elderly Bed

Low beds are often promoted for elderly care, but getting into bed is only one part of the daily routine.

The Bed Also Needs to Support:

• Standing
• Sitting
• Caregiver work
• Transfers
• Sleeping comfort

Think About a Usable Height Range

The best height may change throughout the day.

Can a Leg Lifter or Other Mobility Aid Help?

Some people use mobility aids to help move a leg onto the bed.

Whether such an aid is suitable depends on the person's strength, balance, coordination, and care needs.

Ask a Qualified Professional When:

• The difficulty is new
• One leg suddenly becomes much weaker
• Pain limits movement
• The person repeatedly loses balance
• The caregiver is unsure how to assist safely

Equipment Should Match an Appropriate Transfer Plan

Do not purchase an aid solely because it worked for another elderly person.

Do Not Pull the Elderly Person by the Arms

When someone cannot reposition after entering the bed, caregivers may instinctively pull from the hands, wrists, or shoulders.

This Is Not a Good Default Handling Method

Where physical assistance is required, use appropriate patient-handling techniques and equipment based on professional guidance.

The Bed Should Reduce Awkward Work, Not Encourage More Manual Lifting

Observe the Movement Before Buying a New Bed

Families sometimes begin shopping before identifying the exact difficulty.

Watch the Normal Bedtime Routine for Several Nights

Record:

• Where the person sits
• Which leg moves first
• Where the movement stops
• Whether the mattress edge collapses
• Whether furniture blocks the approach
• How much caregiver help is needed

This Creates a Bed-Entry Map

You can then compare the actual problem with the features of a proposed nursing bed.

Test the Mattress Before Blaming the Elderly Person's Strength

A mattress can change the transfer more than families expect.

During Evaluation, Check:

• Edge firmness
• Thickness
• Surface friction
• Compatibility with the bed platform

Test the Final Mattress, Not a Showroom Substitute

The same bed can feel very different with another mattress installed.

Measure From the Floor to the Top of the Mattress

If you are comparing two nursing beds, record the effective patient height.

Measure At:

• Lowest bed position
• Typical sitting position
• Preferred standing position where applicable

Do Not Compare Platform Numbers Alone

A thicker mattress can completely change the result.

Test Whether the Elderly Person Can Move Backward on the Mattress

Some people can lift the legs but cannot move the hips farther into the bed.

Possible Factors Include:

• Very soft mattress
• Limited arm strength
• Reduced trunk control
• Insufficient sitting balance

This Is a Different Problem From Leg Lifting

If this stage is difficult, changing bed height alone may not solve it.

What If the Elderly Person Can Get Into Bed but Cannot Reposition Afterwards?

Once lying down, some users cannot move toward the center of the mattress or change their position independently.

That May Indicate a Broader Mobility Problem

The family should consider whether the person also needs assistance with:

• Turning
• Moving upward in bed
• Changing sleeping position

Different Problems May Need Different Bed Functions

Do not assume one feature solves every mobility limitation.

When Should Families Consider a More Advanced Nursing Bed?

If several parts of the bedtime routine now require caregiver assistance, the existing household bed may no longer match the person's needs.

A Nursing Bed May Be Worth Evaluating When:

• Bed height needs regular adjustment
• Backrest positioning is used every day
• Side access is important
• The caregiver repeatedly struggles with positioning
• The elderly person's mobility is decreasing

Choose Functions Around Daily Problems

The goal is not to purchase the most complicated bed available.

What Should Families Test Before Buying?

If possible, test the bed using the same sequence the elderly person uses at home.

Ask the User To:

• Approach the bed
• Turn
• Sit
• Move backward
• Bring the first leg onto the mattress
• Bring the second leg onto the mattress
• Rotate into the sleeping position

Observe Where Assistance Is Still Required

The right nursing bed should address a real difficulty rather than simply add electric functions.

Questions to Ask a Nursing Bed Supplier

• What is the minimum platform height?
• What is the minimum mattress-top height with the recommended mattress?
• What mattress thickness is recommended?
• How firm is the mattress edge?
• Can the bed height be adjusted electrically?
• How much side access remains when the rail is open?
• Can one side rail open independently?
• What is the mattress width?
• Can the backrest be adjusted before the user lies fully flat?
• Can you provide a video showing an elderly person entering and exiting the bed?
• Can the sample be tested with the final mattress?

Common Mistakes Families Make

• Immediately lifting both legs without identifying the problem
• Assuming the elderly person simply needs more strength
• Lowering the bed as far as possible without checking standing difficulty
• Ignoring mattress thickness
• Using a very soft mattress edge
• Allowing furniture to block the correct entry position
• Testing the bed without the intended mattress
• Buying additional functions without observing the actual movement
• Pulling the person by the arms during repositioning
• Ignoring a sudden change in mobility

Bed Entry Checklist for Elderly Care

• Transfer side clear
• Bed brakes secured
• Mattress-top height appropriate
• Mattress edge stable
• Side rail opened where appropriate
• Bedside cabinet not blocking access
• Sitting position identified
• First-leg movement observed
• Second-leg movement observed
• Body rotation observed
• Caregiver assistance level recorded
• Final sleeping position checked

If You Have to Lift the Elderly Person's Legs Every Night, Do Not Treat That as the Only Solution

Helping an older adult into bed can gradually become part of the family's normal routine.

One person sits down.

Another person bends over.

Both legs are lifted onto the mattress.

The body is repositioned.

The same process happens again the next night.

But repeated manual lifting should not prevent families from asking why the movement has become so difficult.

The bed may be too high.

The mattress may be too thick or too soft at the edge.

The person may be sitting in the wrong place.

One leg may have much less mobility than the other.

Or the elderly person's overall care needs may have changed.

The best solution starts by observing the exact movement and identifying the stage where independence is lost.

Then the bed height, mattress, room layout, positioning functions, mobility aids, and level of caregiver assistance can be evaluated around that specific problem.

A nursing bed should not simply give the caregiver a better place to lift the elderly person. It should help create a better environment for the elderly person to participate in the movement whenever safely possible.

Expert Tip

Tonight, do not change the usual bedtime routine immediately. Observe it carefully. Note the exact moment when the elderly person asks for help: before lifting the first leg, while bringing the second leg onto the mattress, during body rotation, or after lying down. Measure the mattress-top height at the same time. This simple observation gives you far more useful information for choosing a nursing bed than comparing motor counts or product photos.

You can explore our Nursing Bed options for elderly care environments requiring adjustable height, backrest support, side access, and practical long-term care functions.

If an elderly family member is finding it increasingly difficult to get into bed, Contact Us to discuss bed height, mattress configuration, side rail access, electric adjustment, and suitable elderly nursing bed solutions.