Buying a new bed is a daunting project no matter who you are. In recent years, the mattress industry has flooded the market with options, ranging from super-extra-deluxe-plush to budget-mattress-in-a-box. Sifting through your options is no longer as simple as driving around town and testing beds all day. Traditional mattress stores are no longer the only option for finding the best deal, but buying online requires committing to a bed you’ve never laid on (at least for the trial period).
The recent influx of options has one major benefit, though: as long as you can avoid the analysis paralysis, you can find a bed tailored to almost any need. Consistently sleep too warm? There are beds, mattress covers, and even sheets for that. Always moving around and waking your partner up? Look for movement-absorbing memory foam. Just want something more comfortable? It exists. You just have to find it.
Comfort and consistency in sleep is important no matter the person, but quality of sleep becomes even more important with ageing. Without adequate rest, the natural effects of ageing become compounded with fatigue, cognitive difficulties, mental fog, irritability, and joint and muscle soreness.
Unfortunately, sleep also becomes more difficult as we age — seniors are more likely to experience insomnia or unsatisfactory sleep due to physical discomfort. Finding the right mattress is an important part of creating a healthy sleep environment conducive to getting adequate rest. Luckily, amidst the sea of tailored mattresses are several options for addressing complaints common to seniors.
For Low Mobility:
Decreased mobility is common among seniors. Joints stiffen and range of motion decreases, which can make getting in and out of bed difficult. Exceptionally high of low beds can make this more difficult, especially first thing in the morning. Before the body is fully awake, balance may be below average, making falls or slips more likely. Bed accessories designed to aid in stabilization are available, but sometimes that’s not enough.
Selecting a bed that aids the user in getting in and out diminishes the risk or injury or discomfort. Adjustable base beds are uniquely suited for that purpose. While they may seem geared toward individuals who enjoy watching television or reading in bed, they’re becoming popular among aging populations. Not only does the shifting base bring the user to an upright position before swinging their legs over the edge of the bed, it provides opportunity to wake up and spend some time reading in bed before jumping right into movement.
For Restless Leg Sufferers:
Restless leg syndrome is an uncomfortable condition that causes an insatiable need to move one’s legs. The disorder crops up most commonly after middle age, and disproportionately affects seniors. The symptoms are often pronounced in the evening, when sufferers are trying to go to sleep. The causes vary person-to-person and can be hard to pinpoint, but healthy sleep habits are often recommended as part of managing the condition.
For those experiencing restless leg syndrome, finding a mattress that helps manage the condition increases quality of life through better sleep and minimized symptoms. If you’re shopping for a new bed, start with memory foam mattresses. It’s hypothesized that the even contouring provided by the foam (or natural latex) doesn’t aggravate pressure points the same way an innerspring mattress might. Paired with a weighted blanket or a pillow between the knees, restless leg sufferers have anecdotally noted relief.
For Back and Joint Pain:
Another common sleep-interrupter among seniors is joint pain. Whether old injuries have given way to ongoing pain or arthritis is creeping into joints, trying to sleep with a stiff and painful shoulder, knee, or back is challenging. Waking up the next morning is uncomfortable, sleep quality can suffer, and it may contribute to loss of mobility.
When searching for a mattress to help combat joint pain, it’s important to find a bed with adequate support. Soft or plush mattresses may not be the best choice, as these beds allow sleepers to “sink” into the cushioning, potentially causing misalignment in the spine or other joints. Firmer mattresses are also better suited to free movement — if a sleeper stays in one position the entire night, joints will be stiff come morning. In the same vein, waking up to roll over can disrupt sleep cycles and result in fatigue.
The Moral of the Story
There is no “best mattress” for everyone. Each body is unique and will respond differently, just as each person has their own opinion on what’s comfortable. We offer suggestions on where to start mattress shopping, but always be willing to try something different. If you’re not sure of you decision, make sure you understand the rules of the trial period (almost every retailer has one) and what the terms of return or exchange are. Chances are you’ll have a significant opportunity to get to know a mattress before needing to fully commit, and returning or exchanging is often at low cost, making it a lot easier to find the perfect bed.
Brooke Faulkner is a senior rights advocate and mother of two in the Pacific Northwest. She loves spending time with friends and family at the assisted living facility near her home, and has collected more stories there than she can count.
