Top 5 Beds For Seniors
- Best Mattress For Joint Pain :Nest Bedding Sparrow HybridStarting at $949 Shop Now
- Best Mattress For Back Pain :Casper Wave HybridStarting at $1795 Shop Now
- Seniors On Fixed Income :Level SleepStarting at $799 Shop Now
- Best Delivery Process :Saatva ClassicStarting at $935 Shop Now
- All-Natural Mattress :Avocado Green MattressStarting at $1399 Shop Now
Best Mattress For Seniors Overview
Oftentimes, we notice changes in our sleep habits as we get older in age, thanks to natural bodily processes, medications, medical conditions, and other age-related factors that may hinder the quality of your rest. As such, it becomes even more important to ditch your 15-year-old mattress for a quality bed that promotes better sleep, instead of back or side pain. In the following sections, you’ll find more information about each mattress we selected for this list, as well as other useful information for seniors to consider before making a final purchase decision.
Below, check out what our man JD has to say about our top mattress picks for older adults. Otherwise, continue on to our written review!
What Makes These Beds Best For Seniors?
We’d first like to point out that we’ve tested and reviewed over 100 different mattresses before selecting this list. In addition, we also worked with a chiropractor to further understand the needs of senior citizens. Accordingly, we paid special attention to factors like spinal support, pain relief and temperature regulation when putting this guide together. Below is a quick summary of what we think is the best mattress for older adults available today:
Compare The Best Mattresses For Seniors & Elderly
Best Mattress For Joint Pain
The Nest Sparrow is a luxurious mattress that’s also fairly affordable. It’s constructed of six layers including a pocketed coil layer, the Energex™ foam layer, and two top layers of gel memory foam for ample pressure relief
We also really love the fact that the mattress comes in three firmness options, which gives everyone a perfect fit. It also means that depending which firmness option is chosen, all types of body types can enjoy the luxury of the Nest Sparrow thanks to its hybrid construction. Simply put, it’s one of the most comfortable mattresses we’ve ever tested.
The Nest Sparrow is good for joint pain – This is Beyond value, we also think it’s a great option for seniors due its comfort level. The bed includes a quilted memory foam topper that adds an element of pressure relief not found with the average online bed. As such, we see it as an ideal choice for elderly folks who struggle with pain throughout the night. The topper should also help to alleviate any sort of aches or soreness.
Best Mattress For Back Pain
The Casper Wave was made specifically to alleviate back pain and it does this through the targeted support of its middle layer’s zoned construction. The bed contains a special layer that sits above the foundation of the mattress, which is split into three different sections. The top and bottom sections are slightly softer to provide more pressure relief and allow your shoulders to settle in below your hips. The middle portion of the bed contains targeted gel pods to provide more support under your lower back, trunk and hips.
In terms of firmness the mattress lands in the middle of our scale, with a comfortable neutral-foam feel. Thanks to its firmness profile and supportive hybrid design, this mattress is suitable for all sleeper and body types. The one downside to the Casper Wave is the cost, which is more than the other mattresses in this guide.
The Casper Wave is great for back pain sufferers – Older adults who wake up with aching back pain in the morning is who we think this bed is great for. If you pay special attention to how Casper markets the Wave, it’s all about to help alleviate aches and pains in your back. And we think its special zoned support design can really help do the job, thanks to its targeted support and pressure relief.
Seniors On Fixed Income
The Level Sleep is another mattress with specialized construction for a specialized purpose. In this case they call it TriSupport Design and it makes the area under your head and shoulders slightly softer for ample pressure relief, while the area under your torso area is slightly firmer to provide proper reinforcement under your lower back. Lastly, the zone under your hips and legs is more of a medium firmness.
It’s also significantly cheaper than the Casper Wave. After discount, the queen size Level Sleep mattress falls below the $1,000 mark, making it a viable option for elderly citizens who are constrained by a fixed monthly budget.
Level Sleep is great for seniors on a budget – Similar to the Casper Wave, the Level Sleep mattress utilizes a special zoned support system. The bed contains three separate layers of foam, in which the middle one is split into three different zones. This layer is made out of Energex Adaptive Foam and is patented by the company, and we think it makes the bed ultra comfortable. Not to mention it’s much more affordable than other beds on this list with a similar design.
Best Delivery Process
The Saatva mattress is constructed to maximize durability and support. The construction consists of two separate layers of coils, memory foam and a quilted Euro pillow top which makes the luxury bed ultra comfortable.
It also has several firmness options, which means there’s a model that’s perfect for any type of sleeping position. Best of all, this all comes at an affordable price point that won’t break the bank. We think it’s a great value for how premium the bed is. Bottom line, if you’re looking for a sturdy, durable bed, it’s tough to beat Saatva.
Why seniors should consider the Saatva Mattress – Not only is it high-quality and comfortable, but most online mattresses arrive compressed in a box that weigh well over 75 pounds so they require some heavy lifting. Now a lot of these companies also offer white glove delivery, but in most cases, it costs an additional fee that exceeds $100. With Saatva, however, white glove delivery comes standard (i.e. it’s free). That means a delivery crew will personally come to your house and set up the mattress for you, making the entire process a whole lot easier.
All-Natural Mattress
Avocado is an all-natural and organic mattress constructed with recycled steel coils, certified organic latex, organic wool and organic cotton. Because of the use of latex, this mattress is hypoallergenic and has antimicrobial properties, meaning it helps combat dust mites and has little to no off-gassing.
In terms of firmness it is about as firm as they come, making it best for back and stomach sleepers. Though, an optional pillow top is available to soften things up if you prefer. In terms of pricing the Avocado is quite reasonable given the all-natural materials used. We thought it was fitting to include Avocado on this list since it’s pretty much known as the organic mattress online.
Why seniors might like Avocado – We realize that a lot of older adults are concerned about their health, and as a result, may prefer sleeping on a hypoallergenic bed that uses natural and organic materials. This mattress uses the best of the best, and is one of our favorite latex beds here at the Slumber Yard because of its quality construction and reasonable price tag.
Best Mattress For Seniors Pricing Comparison
| Mattress | Twin | Twin XL | Full | Queen | King/Cal King |
| Nest Sparrow | $949 | $1,149 | $1,349 | $1,599 | $1,799 |
| Casper Wave | $1,595 | $1,795 | $2,495 | $2,695 | $3,095 |
| Level Sleep | $799 | $899 | $1,099 | $1,199 | $1,399 |
| Saatva | $887 | $1,087 | $1,474 | $1,574 | $1,974 |
| Avocado | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | $1,399 | $1,799 |
Why Trust Us
Get the kind of sleep you’ve only dreamed of with some help from our team of mattress experts. We personally test more than 175 of the best sleep solutions from over 60 leading brands on site, so you can be sure you’re getting unbiased reviews, fair comparisons and personalized recommendations.
The Review Team
Why Sleep Is Important For Seniors
Restful sleep is crucial for older adults just as it is for younger individuals. However, one could make the argument that sleep is even more vital for elderly people given they are much more susceptible to chronic pain and nasty health conditions. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, over 50% of Americans age 65 or older experience some sort of bothersome pain that affects their day-to-day lives. Obviously, with such a large percentage of the population experiencing pain, it’s easy to see why the quality of sleep seniors get is often so poor.
Unfortunately, sleep deprivation can have long-term detrimental effects on the overall well-being of seniors. There are plenty of independent studies that link the quality and duration of sleep to health issues like heart disease, strokes and memory loss. Sleep also helps strengthen your immune system. Without the proper amount of sleep each night, your body becomes weaker and is more sensitive to viruses and colds.
Common Health Conditions Among Older Adults
Below is a list of common health conditions that affect the quality of sleep seniors receive.
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Alzheimer’s
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Osteoporosis
As you can see, there are a plethora of conditions that make it difficult for elderly people to get a full restful night of sleep. Before we discuss the connection between these conditions and the best beds for seniors let’s first quickly review what exactly each one entails.
Arthritis – Includes inflammation of one or more joints, which in turn can cause pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis – Characterized by the deterioration of tissues at the ends of bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Affects more than just your joints. It can also affect your skin, eyes, heart and more.
Fibromyalgia – Disorder described as widespread soreness and tenderness.
Scoliosis – Characterized as a sideways curvature of the spine, which can put pressure on your spinal disks.
Alzheimer’s – A diseases that causes brain cells and other mental functions to deteriorate, which can lead to sleep disorders.
Diabetes – Disease that affects how your body uses blood sugar. Common symptoms include fatigue, regular infections and persistent urination.
Heart Disease – Can lead to chest tightness, discomfort and pain in the neck, upper abdomen and back.
Osteoporosis – Causes bones to become weak and brittle.
Due to the conditions described above as well as other factors like medications, seniors are more inclined to suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
Best Type Of Mattress For Elderly People
There are several different types of beds older adults can choose from. Here is a list of the best types of mattresses for seniors:
- Foam
- Hybrid
- Innerspring
- Pillow Top
- Latex
Foam
Foam mattresses are made of a variety of foam types including memory foam, polyurethane foam, and a number of proprietary foams. Mattresses made of foam can come in just about any level of support and firmness.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are constructed with two or more different types of materials, often using innerspring coils for support and foam, latex and/or pillow top for softness and comfort.
Innerspring
Support is provided by steel coils, and are more like the traditional mattresses you or your parents slept on when they were a kid.
Pillow Top
A pillow top mattress is constructed with a fluffy, soft, cushion-like layer at the top for added plushness and comfort.
Latex
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic latex, and are generally more breathable than memory foam or poly foam beds. We think latex combines both firmness and support with comfort.
Since the majority of health conditions that seniors regularly suffer from are characterized by some sort of pain or soreness, it’s important the mattress they choose is supportive yet also pressure relieving. If the mattress offers too much of one but not the other, there’s a good chance it will exacerbate the issue at hand. For example, if that mattress is too supportive (often correlated with firm beds), there’s a high likelihood seniors will wake up with aches and general soreness since the sleeping surface is too harsh. However, on the flip side, if the mattress is all about pressure relief (often correlated with soft beds), seniors will likely wake up with back pain since their spine may not be in proper alignment.
Best Mattress For Seniors With Back Pain
The best mattress for seniors with back pain will likely be one on the firmer end of the soft-to-firm spectrum. It doesn’t always hold true, but for the most part, firmer beds tend to provide more spinal support than soft ones. And when it comes to back pain, support is key. If your bed is too soft, you’ll likely sink into the top layers more, which can throw your alignment out of whack. As a general rule, you’ll want to keep your spine in neutral alignment. Here are few tips for the different types of sleepers who experience back pain.
Best Mattress For Seniors With Back Pain Who Sleep On Their Back
Consider placing a pillow under your knees. This will help maintain the natural curvature of your spine.
Seniors Who Sleep On Their Side
Try putting a pillow between your gently bent knees. Also, consider switching sides every other night.
Older Back Pain Sufferers Who Sleep On Their Stomach
This position is actually not recommended since it places more strain on your neck and back. However, if you do prefer sleeping this way, make sure to purchase a pillow with low loft.
As you might imagine, there are a ton of supportive mattresses available on the market. Here are some of the best mattress brands for seniors dealing with back pain.
- Helix
- Casper
- Level Sleep
- TempurPedic
- Saatva
- WinkBed
- Nest Bedding
If you’re looking for additional information on this subject, we’ve compiled a full back pain guide with even more recommendations.
Mattress Shopping Tips For Seniors
There are a multitude of considerations seniors should keep in mind when shopping for a new mattress. We’ve covered a lot of the topics in the preceding sections, but here are a few more for good measure.
Motion Isolation – This is especially important for older adults who share their mattress with a partner. A lot of medical conditions result in frequent urination. As such, you’ll want to find a mattress that muffles motion extremely so that you or your partner are not disturbed every time one of you gets up to use the bathroom.
Payment Plans – A lot of seniors are on fixed income budgets, which means forking over more than $1,000 for a new bed may not be in the cards. Luckily, a lot of online mattress brands offers various payment plans, which allow you to pay over time instead of all up front.
Warranty – The industry standard mattress warranty is 10 years. If the mattress you’re considering comes with anything less, consider it a red flag. Beyond length, you should also pay special attention to coverage type (prorated vs non-prorated) and the fine print related to sagging and manufacturing defects.
White Glove Delivery – A lot of mattress companies offer free white glove delivery. If it’s not free, most mattress companies will at least offer it for an additional fee. White glove delivery is something seniors should seriously consider. It essentially means a delivery crew will arrive at your home, carry the mattress into your bedroom and set it up for you. This is obviously ideal for elderly people as they most likely do not have the strength to carry heavy boxes themselves.
Best Mattress for Seniors Overview
| Mattress | Best Of Title | Firmness Level |
| Nest Sparrow | Best Mattress for Joint Pain | Plush: Soft to Medium-Soft Medium: Medium to Medium-Soft Luxury Firm: Medium-Firm |
| Casper Wave | Best Mattress for Back Pain | Medium |
| Level Sleep | Seniors on Fixed Income | Medium |
| Saatva | Best Delivery Process | Plush Soft: Medium Luxury Firm: Medium-Firm Firm: Firm |
| Avocado | All Natural Mattress | Pillow Top: Medium-Firm No Pillow Top: Firm |
Delivery is almost always completely free. If you get a standard bed-in-a-box such as Casper, you will setup your own mattress, however, if you get a bed such as Saatva, you get free white glove delivery, which means someone else sets up the bed for you. For this reason, we typically recommend that seniors get a bed with a white glove delivery option.
Fortunately for you, most of the online mattress brands offer free returns, or returns with a very modest fee. They even send someone to your home to pickup the mattress so you don’t have to worry about taking it anywhere.
Depending on the size you choose, you should be planning on spending somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 on a new mattress.
To be honest, there’s no single best type of mattress for everyone. You should be selecting a bed based on your personal preferences and body type.