2020's Best Mattresses for Seniors + Choosing the Right One For You

Like many other things in life, your sleep patterns change as you age. Even if you’re a perfectly healthy senior citizen, your body’s demands for rest and recovery are no longer the same. 

Since most seniors accept sleep problems as a natural part of aging, they don’t think any more about it. But that’s far from reality. Research proves that sleeplessness isn’t a natural aging process. 

These problems are often due to age-related illness or because of one simple fact — your body’s needs for restorative sleep are not being met! 

Most of the time, all you’ll need to implement is a few lifestyle changes and a comfortable bed to enjoy a well-rested night. Most people underestimate the effect of a lousy mattress on their sleep. Like all the other things in your life, you need to upgrade your mattress to meet the needs of your changing body. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the best mattresses for senior citizens. This blog also includes a comprehensive guide on how older adults can choose a mattress suitable for their body structure, sleep needs, and any geriatric diseases. Click here to see what seniors should look for in a mattress.

2020’s Best Mattresses for Senior Citizens

1. Winkbed
2. Saatva
3. Bear
4. Helix Dusk Luxe
5. Plushbeds 12-inch Botanical Bliss
6. Brooklyn Bedding Signature
7. Brooklyn Bedding Bloom

1. WinkBed

GIVE IT A TRY

WinkBed is one of the most luxurious innerspring mattresses with many properties suitable for seniors. It has a Tencel cover and memory foam pillow-top supported by a seven-zoned innerspring system. This layered construction ensures superior cooling and decompression support for improved circulation and total relaxation.

Together with the lumbar pad, memory foam top, and pocketed coils, WinkBed maintains normal spinal alignment and eases muscle tension through even weight distribution. If you suffer from arthritis, fibromyalgia or any medical conditions resulting in aches and pains, this supportive mattress ensures a pain-free rest.

Edge-support coils and the bounce of this mattress makes changing positions and getting in and out of bed effortless. Winkbed is also highly conforming and so it is suitable for seniors with all types of body structures and sleep position preferences. 

Best For: All-Around Best

2. Saatva

GIVE IT A TRY

Seniors who prefer firmer support should consider the Saatva mattress. Although its coil-on-coil design is similar to WinkBed, the continuous coil system in its support core gives it a more traditional innerspring mattress feel.

The Saatva mattress is most suitable for back and stomach sleepers, especially seniors who suffer from low back pain and knee stiffness. The mattress’s height and secure edges make getting in and out of bed easy on the back and knees of older sleepers. 

Thanks to the pocketed micro-coils, Saatva conforms to your curves and offers targeted support and pressure-relief where needed. However, side sleepers with big shoulders or a pear-shaped body may develop pressure points and require a mattress with more give. 

Best For: People who need firm support

3. Bear

GIVE IT A TRY

The Bear mattress is for active seniors who require muscle recovery while they’re sleeping. It’s best for older adults who prefer a softer mattress with solid support. Thanks to its high-quality performance foams, Bear responds to your movements quickly and releases pressure off your muscles and joints in every sleep position.

Graphite Gel Memory Foam follows your curves for perfect pressure-relief but the underlying transition layers prevent undue sinkage. Graphite along with Celliant also decreases the heat retaining ability of the memory foam. 

The Celliant cover makes Bear stand out as the best mattress for athletic seniors. Apart from cooling, this FDA-approved technology improves blood circulation which boosts rest and recovery. As a result, when you sleep on Bear, you wake up with more energy to support your active lifestyle.  

Best For: People who prefer a soft feel but need support

4. Helix Dusk Luxe

GIVE IT A TRY

Helix Luxe Series is specifically designed for back and stomach sleepers. Seniors with backaches should look into the Helix Dusk Luxe. Its medium firmness and zoned support offer balanced comfort and pressure-relief for older adults.

Helix Dynamic Foam, Memory Plus Foam and the individually-wrapped coils ensure a responsive, cool surface without any undue sinkage. It hugs your curves and keeps your spine aligned to relieve any pressure on the joints and muscles. 

The mattress’s smooth pillow top has a Tencel cooling cover to beat night sweats and hot flashes. It’s a high-end luxury product with memory foam mattress-like comfort but with added responsiveness, coolness, and support. 

Best For: People with back issues

5. PlushBeds 12-inch Botanical Bliss

GIVE IT A TRY

Plushbeds Botanical Bliss is a 12-inch thick certified organic mattress, perfect for anyone that appreciates a natural lifestyle. The organic cotton, New Zealand wool and Arpico Dunlop latex, together make a healthy mattress for seniors at risk of allergies, asthma or other breathing problems. 

The Dunlop latex the mattress features is on the firmer end of the scale. So, seniors who require firm support for their low back or knee pain can benefit from Plushbeds Botanical Bliss in medium firmness. You can always rearrange the layers to make your bed a little softer or firmer.  

Latex foam offers a unique weightless feel. It distributes your weight evenly so you won’t feel any pressure on your joints. The wool at the top provides some give, but side sleepers may develop pressure points at hips and shoulders. Seniors with fibromyalgia or circulation issues will benefit from a more conforming mattress.

Best For: For people who want a latex mattress

6. Brooklyn Bedding Signature

GIVE IT A TRY

Brooklyn Bedding Signature is the brand’s iconic #bestmattressever, famous for its high-quality materials, long-lasting support, and a fair price tag. It’s a hybrid mattress with TitanFlex and Energex foams in the comfort layer supported by individually moving pocketed coils. 

Titanium gel infusion allows hot sleeping seniors to enjoy a refreshing rest. The Signature is highly responsive with average edge support. So, if you’re forced to change positions due to chronic pains, you won’t need any extra effort on the Signature. Seniors with very limited mobility might need some side support for getting out of bed. 

The Signature is a softer mattress, especially compared to the WinkBed on our list. That’s why the sleep surface follows your curves and the top foams let heavier body parts sink to prevent pain or soreness. Energex offers deep compressional support to maintain normal spinal alignment and prevent pain due to incorrect posture. 

Best For: People who need an affordable, easy to access mattress

7. Brooklyn Bedding Bloom

GIVE IT A TRY

Brooklyn Bedding Bloom is a high-value mattress made from organic cotton, Joma wool, Oeko-tex certified Talalay latex and pocketed coils. Being seven times more breathable, it will keep you cool in bed during hot flashes. Natural materials make Bloom perfect for seniors who suffer from low immunity, allergies, or breathing-related issues. 

This Brooklyn Bedding mattress is quite popular among seniors for its comfort, support, and quick response to movements. Talalay is a flexible material that follows your curves and ensures proper support and pressure-relief to prevent pain or muscle tension. 

The presence of latex and innerspring gives Bloom an excellent bounce. So, moving around in bed or getting in and out of it is easy on Bloom. Moreover, its cotton cover won’t shift with you or bunch up under you. 

Best For: People who want latex and value

The Best Type of Mattress for Seniors

Mattress properties depend on the materials and design of their construction. Each mattress material and its position changes the overall feel and features of your bed. 

Memory foam and innerspring are the two most popular mattress materials. 

Memory foam offers unmatched pressure-relief but heat retention and unwanted sinkage can cause sleep issues in older folks. Similarly, the flexibility of coils is an attractive property. But, they can cause muscle soreness and put undue pressure on joints.

That’s why senior citizens should avoid pure memory foam and traditional innerspring mattresses. Here are the two best mattress types for older adults.

Hybrid 

Hybrids usually have contouring foams on top for instant comfort and pressure-relief. The support core has individually-moving pocketed coils that ensure even weight distribution. 

In this way, hybrids contour your curves and support your spine, minimizing any backaches and joint pains. They offer strong edges too so senior citizens can easily get in and out of bed. Empty spaces between the coils maintain normal body temperature during sleep. 

Latex

Latex mattresses hug your body like memory foam but you won’t sink into the bed. In fact, Latex foam is known for its flexibility and push back support. They are responsive to changes in your sleep position so you won’t feel any difference in comfort or support when you move in bed. 

Latex is also naturally cool and breathable, an important property for hot sleepers and elderly folks who experience hot flashes and night sweats. 

In comparison to hybrids, latex has only a subtle bounce. So your sleep will not be disturbed by your partner’s frequent trips to the toilet. However, due to their unique feel, it’s better to check out latex mattresses in a showroom before ordering one. 

What Seniors Should Look for in a Mattress

Whichever material, type or firmness you choose, there are a few properties that your mattress must possess if you’re older than 65 years of age.

Responsiveness and Bounce

Responsive mattresses quickly adapt to your body when you change sleeping position. As a result, you don’t feel any difference in feel and continue to sleep comfortably. Seniors need a mattress with some bounce that helps them move in the bed easily. Stretchy covers that don’t shift or bunch with movement are ideal to make movements smooth with little to no effort. 

Pressure-Relief

Pressure points can form if the mattress is too hard or the sleep surface is uneven. Usually, hips and shoulders develop soreness only after a few minutes of lying on an unsuitable mattress. Another sign of inadequate pressure-relief is the development of numbness and tingling in the arms and/or legs of senior citizens. 

Spine Support

Around 85% of senior citizens suffer from aches and pains with lower back pain being the most common complaint. That’s why they must choose a mattress that ensures a healthy sleep posture. A mattress with uneven or inadequate support can make the pain worse and disturb your sleep as well. 

Temperature Regulation

A survey by Sleep Foundation showed 79% of sleepers consider cool temperature an important element for getting a good night’s sleep. Older adults especially peri or post-menopausal women suffer from frequent hot flashes and night sweats. Cooling mattresses with ample airflow keep you cool and sweat-free so you can sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.

Edge Support and Mattress Height

Especially important for seniors with limited mobility, strong edges make getting in and out of bed pain-free and effortless. Secure edges also prevent roll-over accidents. Similarly, if the mattress is too low or too high, it can put a strain on seniors’ back or knees.

Common Senior Citizen Sleeping Problems

Now let’s have a look at some of the chronic medical conditions that disturb elderly adults’ sleep and how a good mattress for seniors minimizes those issues.  

Back Pain

Back pain is the most common age-related problem caused usually by weakening core muscles, osteoporosis or scoliosis. Regardless, seniors can reduce backache by choosing a firm mattress that supports their spinal curvature and prevents any strain on their back. 

Fibromyalgia

It’s a musculoskeletal disorder resulting in widespread pain due to an overactive central nervous system. Poor sleep can trigger fatigue and mental fog associated with this disorder. Choose a soft, pressure-relieving mattress to prevent any flare-ups. 

Arthritis

About 50% of senior citizens suffer from arthritis and 80% of them are unable to sleep properly. Arthritis is the inflammation of joints, and much like fibromyalgia, you need a mattress with excellent conforming ability and pressure-relief to prevent pain and minimize strain on the joints. 

Poor Circulation

Poor blood circulation is a direct result of low activity and frequent sleep disturbances. The best mattresses for poor circulation maintain perfect spinal alignment and prevent any numbness and tingling in arms or legs. Celliant covers are FDA-approved for improving blood circulation and increasing blood oxygen levels. 

Sleep Apnea or Snoring

When suffering from sleep apnea, a person stops and starts breathing repeatedly during sleep. It is mostly associated with loud snoring. Seniors with sleep apnea require a mattress and a pillow that will accommodate their neck and shoulders and keep them aligned. Also, consider adjustable beds to keep your upper body inclined and keep the airways open. 

Dementia

Sleeplessness is a major risk factor for the onset of dementia. Getting an overall comfy bed can prevent or decrease progressive dementia through quality sleep. To prevent falls at night, choose a firm mattress and low-height bed with a side rail at the bedside.

Helpful Sleep Accessories for Seniors

To get the best sleep out of your mattress, you might need to upgrade some of your sleep accessories as well. Adding the following items to your bedroom can make it more comfortable and secure for your changing needs. 

Adjustable beds

You can change an adjustable bed’s shape to suit your sleep position. You can lower and elevate the head and foot part of the bed independently to get in and out of bed easily. 

Similarly, seniors with sleep apnea benefit from elevating the head part while for poor circulation they can elevate the foot part.  

Positioning Pillows for Elderly

Positioning pillows can help seniors remove pressure from certain areas of their body. Knee pillows reduce pain in the back, hips, or knees. 

For sleep apnea or GERD, a wedge pillow can prevent acid reflux and keep air passages open for back sleepers. You can also place it under your legs to improve circulation. If you sleep on your side or stomach, you can cushion your neck and flank with full-body pillows. 

Hand Bed Rails

In the US, 25% of older adults fall every year. Seniors with limited mobility should declutter their bedroom and consider adding a hand bed rail to easily get in and out of bed. 

You can buy an adjustable hand bed rail on Amazon. It can also prevent seniors’ from falling out of bed during sleep. 

Night Light

Night lights are an excellent addition to your bedroom to prevent accidents and falls. 

Amazon has a versatile collection of soft-touch and self-activating lights. They are inexpensive and give out a warm glow that doesn’t blind you or disturb your partner. 

Sleep Tips for Seniors

There are small changes you can make to your lifestyle and sleep routine that can have a big effect on the quality of your sleep. 

1. Have a bedtime ritual. Choose a few activities like a warm bath or writing in a journal as a bedtime ritual. Repeat it daily before bedtime to signal your body to sleep.
2. Follow a consistent sleep time. Fix a time to go to bed and wake up in the morning and stick to it. A regular sleep schedule strengthens your sleep-wake cycle.
3. Stop all energetic activities at least half an hour before bedtime. Slow down, read a book, or listen to sleep-inducing music.
4. Restrict liquid intake after dinner time. To combat frequent urination at night, limit caffeinated or alcoholic beverages after the early evening. Not drinking liquids after dinner can reduce nightly toilet trips.
5. Skip afternoon naps. Resist evening naps to build sleep pressure as your bedtime approaches. 
6. Set a slightly cooler room temperature. Scientists suggest turning down the thermostat to 60-68 oF because low temperatures can help make you sleepy.
7. Drown out disturbing sounds. If you’re easily disturbed by sounds, use white noise to mask them or remove the black noise.
8. Customize your light setup. Use dim night lights if you don’t like to sleep in the dark. To block sharp external lights, use night blinds and if you like pitch-black darkness use a night mask.
9. De-stress before sleep. According to Cleveland Clinic, stress is one of the major causes of sleeplessness in older adults. You can use sleep-inducing essential oils or meditation to calm down before sleep.
10. Be more active during the day. Spend time in the sun and involve yourself in physical and social activities to prevent sleep disturbances at night.

Senior Sleep Resources

Here are a few resources to help you understand the changes in your sleep as you age. 

• Changes in Sleep with Age
• Sleep Disorders in the Elderly
• Elderly Insomnia
• Seniors and Sleep: How much do they need?
• The Seniors' Guide to Sleeping Well - Senior Health Center

Choosing the best mattress for seniors requires serious thought. Poor sleep quality can have a bigger effect on the lives of older adults and can worsen their age-related issues.

Here we’ve covered every aspect of mattress selection for senior citizens so you can make the right decision for your sleep. You can also use our mattress comparison tool to pit these beds against each other and single out the best one for you.