A bed (210) includes a side guard (10) that provides a continuous protected surface from the headboard (260) to the footboard (270) of a bed (210). The side guard (10) includes a top guard bar (51) mounted within vertical guides (20, 30). The guides (20, 30) prevent horizontal or rotational movement of the top guard bar (51) but permits movement of the top guard bar (51) between elevated and lowered positions. A scrollable protection barrier (70) extends from the top guard bar (51) to a torsion spring roller (60) at the base of the side guard (10), preventing a patient from becoming entrapped between the bars (51-54). A balanced-movement lift mechanism (75) evenly distributes the forces raising or lowering the superior guard bar (51) of the side guard (10).
