The Best Mattresses For Seniors 2024, According To A 25 Year Mattress Expert And Designer
As we age, falling sleep and getting the restorative rest we need is something that can become a problem. Finding the right mattress can improve sleep hygiene, meaning you will fall asleep easier, sleep more deeply, and give your pressure points and sore joints the relief they need.
However, searching and shopping for the right mattress can be a challenge that can scare you off right way. Trust us, it confuses everybody, and even younger couples or recent college graduates shopping for their first mattress rank mattress shopping right up there with getting a wisdom tooth removed.
We’re here to take the mystery and misery out of mattress shopping for you, and that’s why we’ve created a list of just five mattress options to consider if you’re investing in a mattress for your golden years.
We’re here to help you find the perfect mattress, and all of our suggestions can be purchased online, get delivered directly to your door, and in many cases, they can be set up and installed for you.
We’ve created a short list of five outstanding mattress options that will give you the following benefits:
- Edge Support
- Pressure Relief
- Buoyant Support- to make turning easy
- Textiles and foams that breathe and don’t sleep hot
- Proper support of back, hips, shoulders
We’ve already carefully reviewed all of our suggestions, and in many cases, we even know the manufacturers the company owners personally. Our editor and CEO is himself a senior citizen (he’s 65) and knows EXACTLY how to help you find the perfect mattress.
Being a senior citizen, and in our mind, that’s anyone over 45, is the great equalizer. We all have to get there and if we’re very lucky, we sleep like babies. Unfortunately, not the case for three out of five individuals, a pretty common problem. If you’ve led an active life, you’ve likely torn yourself up in the process, slowly.
If you have led a rather sedentary life, you likely have other problems, like weight issues, respiratory complaints, maybe diabetes. Regardless, we all end up with a strong likelihood of having issues with sleep.
sleep problems in older adults
Studies show that up to 50% of older people have difficulty falling asleep (sleep induction) and or staying asleep, with women experiencing insomnia considerably more than men.
While some older people experience insomnia as part of normal aging processes, many seniors have underlying medical conditions or take medications that can disrupt normal sleep patterns.
Some common causes of sleep issues with seniors include arthritic pain, poor circulation, numbness, foot pain, and acid reflux.
Fortunately, there are mattress options which are readily available that can help with these issues, including many options that work with an adjustable base, giving you the ability to raise the head or foot section to help with medical concerns.
Making an investment in your last mattress ever should be well thought out. Of course, it takes an enormous amount of time to get into your car, visit retail stores, try out mattresses, and deal with hovering sales people.
Unless you are some kind of a mattress expert, or you are relying on other people’s opinion to help you make a choice (like your kids) you might as well be throwing darts at a dartboard.
The fact is, older adults deal with many more issues that directly affect sleep than younger folks do. These issues directly affect the kind of mattress you should be considering. In all cases, though, the most important option to include is edge support.
Proper edge support is the #1 consideration in a mattress for older adults
All of our mattress options below offer enhanced edge support that will allow you to sit at the edge of your bed to put your shoes on, and easily transfer out of bed. Proper edge support also makes getting into bed a whole lot easier.
Edge support in most mattresses is so insufficient, that many seniors have great difficulty transferring in and out of bed to either an upright position, or to a walker or a wheelchair.
If your are in your prime at age 70, that’s great- but the odds are that five years from now (and you should plan on keeping a mattress for at least 8 years) you will have mobility issues of some kind, even if they are only slightly inconvenient.
Typically, mattress manufacturers and designers use stiffer materials that line the outer edge of a mattress to provide better support. The sleep area of the mattress is typically softer and more yielding.
There are many other factors that can contribute to a poor night’s sleep, many of which can be reduced or eliminated by having the proper mattress, one that delivers comfort and support, and isn’t excessively firm or soft.
Depression and/or Anxiety– can be worsened by insufficient or poor sleep quality
Arthritis, Connective Tissue Issues-can be reduced by using pressure relieving materials like memory/gel foam, pocketed coils, and cooling textiles and fibers
Poor Circulation, Numbness, Leg And Foot Pain– often relieved by pressure reduction such as that found in memory foam or natural latex
Sleep Apnea And COPD– using an adjustable base along with the proper mattress so that your head can be slightly elevated can help reduct symptoms
Acid Reflux Or GERD– using an adjustable base along with the proper mattress so that your head can be slightly elevated can help reduct symptoms
Frequent Urination -proper edge support makes it safer to get in and out of bed to make bathroom visits during the night
Snoring- Either Yourself Or Your Partner-incorporating an adjustable base under a well made mattress to allow lifting of the head, which reduces snoring
Restless Leg Syndrome -calming materials like memory foam and gel foam, along with pillow top elements that distribute weight can help
Sleep-Walking (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep-Behavior Disorder)– a more supportive mattress can help by increasing deeper sleep
Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease -deeper, more restorative sleep can calm and reduce agitation and aggressive behavior
Changes in sleep hygiene due to aging and why a mattress change might be your best course of action
The mechanism of sleep, and the activities that affect it, is known collectively as sleep hygiene or sleep architecture, and refers to the cyclic pattern of four sleep phases that repeats through the night. A normal sleep cycle consists of:
Stage 1: Introduction to sleep when muscles begin to relax and brain activity slows, also called Sleep Induction
Stage 2: Light, Drifting Sleep Phase
Stages 3 and 4: Deep Sleep
REM sleep: Lucid Dreaming And High Brain Activity
For people who experience healthy sleep patterns, this sleep cycle repeats four or five times each night. But as people age, they tend to spend less time in deep sleep stages, often skipping them altogether. This change in their sleep hygiene can make them feel sleepy during the day and lead to excessive daytime napping. In addition, frequent sleep disturbances like those listed above disrupt seniors’ sleep cycles, leading to daytime sleepiness.
In addition, poor sleep hygiene includes disruptive mechanisms such as bright light from TV’s, computer monitors, and cell phone activity. Bright light and flickering light is well known for disrupting sleep and tricking your brain into thinking it’s daytime, and that you should be up and about.
About 1 out of 100 seniors also experience a circadian rhythm disorder called Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder (ASPD) that signals an earlier bedtime (between 7 and 9:00 pm) and an earlier rising time (about 3 or 5:00 am) than the rest of society.
Now there’s nothing wrong with following an “early to bed, early to rise” schedule, but it can be isolating from family and friends, and sleep hygiene issues can be worsened by tampering with natural circadian rhythms that mammals are accustomed to using as cues for sleep schedules, like sunlight.
To improve sleep and get more REM Sleep- which has been proven to vastly improve quality of life, investing in a mattress that is comfortable, supportive, and is made using a proper balance of materials- is critical for quality of life.
How seniors can get a good night’s sleep
Of course, it isn’t strictly about the mattress. In fact, investing in a great mattress is just the beginning, and making critical lifestyle changes will improve your overall sleep hygiene. These improvements include:
Cutting Down On Caffeine, Especially After Noon
Increasing Exposure To Natural Light During The Day
Exercising Regularly- Walking One Mile Every Evening
Hitting The Hay At The Same Time Every Night, Waking At The Same Time
Creating A Comforting And Relaxing Routine 30 Minutes Prior To Bedtime
Owning A Quality Mattress Designed To Provide Support And Sumptuous Comfort
Is it true that a mattress really make much of a difference in sleep quality? Without question. As a bedding designer and CEO of many mattress companies, I was a very active individual and after 30 years in the business, and now at age 65, I personally have evolved my own mattress options to accommodate my own aging process.
I’m going to give you six outstanding options for reasonably priced and high quality mattress that we recommend, right now. Read below the list if you want to learn more about seniors and choosing the correct mattress.
the signs and symptoms that you have a terrible mattress
A good mattress is crucial for healthy, restorative, and rejuvenating sleep. A study conducted at a major university found that newer, more comfortable mattresses reduced back pain and stress and improved sleep performance among participants with chronic aches and pains that compromised their sleep.
Generally, the best mattress options will be made with varying densities of high quality foam, usually with memory foam or latex, and often with a coil layer.
Older people can easily convince themselves that they don’t need a new mattress. Nobody likes to shop for beds, period. Difficulty with mobility can make shopping at a brick and mortar store too taxing. Others may think a new mattress will cost too much money and may be reluctant to spend money on something they’re not sure they need.
But buying a new mattress doesn’t have to be difficult or costly and could be the best investment a senior can make. Literally, you can add years to your lifespan by improving your sleep patterns. Researching mattresses online before you shop will reduce the time spent trying mattresses in stores.
Alternatively, online mattress companies offer some of the best mattresses for seniors, delivered right to your front door or set up in your home, at prices that are often drastically lower than brick and mortar stores, and often of much higher quality.
How do you know if you need a new mattress? Your body will give you lots of cues and signs and symptoms. Even if you think your current mattress is fine, the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every seven years especially if:
How do you know if you need a new mattress? Even if you think a mattress is fine, the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every seven years especially if you:
Wake up with aches and pains
Sleep better away from home than you do in your own bed
Are usually tired even though you had a full night’s sleep
These are all signs that a mattress should be replaced.With so much at stake, the cost of a mattress that will increase the quality of sleep is a sound investment in your life, and the lives of your children and grandchildren.
I know this, as I have two grandchildren and understand that sleep quality will impact the 20-25 years I have left. In fact, a mattress that costs $1,000 and lasts seven years will cost about 40 cents per night — a small price to pay for good health and well-being.
And while new mattresses will not overcome all sleep challenges seniors face, they can help alleviate some common issues that keep older people from getting the sleep they need.
What we looked for to create our list of five great mattress options for seniors
In general, the best mattresses for seniors have sufficient support to maintain neutral spine alignment, enough contouring to relieve pressure points (think heels, hips, shoulders), and some means for regulating body temperature.
Mattresses with firm edge support will not only prevent sagging and last longer but also make it easier to get in and out of bed. In fact, the ability to transfer properly from the edge of your bed to either upright positions or to a chair is often the single most important factor in selecting a good mattress that the overall comfort of the mattress itself.
For many seniors, the best mattress will address their individual sleep challenges. Polyurethane high density memory and natural latex foam mattresses that are medium or medium firm are especially good choices for seniors who suffer from any kind of pain and pressure issues, as well as restless leg syndrome.
High-density foam mattresses contour the body, gently supporting joints and the spine, and relieve pressure on compression points like heels, hips, and shoulders.
Natural latex is completely free of petroleum compounds and allergen free, too. (scroll back up to our list and you’ll find a latex mattress option in our 9 choices)
Another excellent choice to consider is scrapping what you have and investing in an adjustable base and mattresses.
And don’t think that you’re buying a hospital bed…most of the adjustable beds I sold for years were to younger folks in their 30’s with kids, who liked to use their bed as a media center, family activity center, and much more. Adjustable beds are especially good choices for seniors who struggle with:
Poor circulation
Leg cramps
Acid reflux
Sleep apnea and snoring
Back pain
Lying flat can be uncomfortable for many seniors, especially back sleepers. Raising the top portion of the bed and elevating the feet can take pressure off the back, and improve circulation.
An elevated upper body helps to open airways, relieving sleep apnea and minimizing snoring, finally giving older people the solid night’s sleep they need and deserve.
You can also take a look at our Adjustable Base Page for enhance information about brands we recommend. Before we offer up our listed of five great mattress brands, let’s review a few different mattress types.
Memory Foam/ Gel Mattresses
We’re big fans of memory foam and gel foam mattresses, mainly because we used to design and manufacture them ourselves, and know the recipes and formulations that provide the ideal pressure relief, buoyancy, and balance to help get you to sleep and keep you there.
The key consideration with memory foam and gel foam components is the density and thickness of the materials used to make them. To learn more about memory foam mattresses, you can visit our memory foam mattress page for details.
HYBRID Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses, or mattresses made of a combination of coil layers and foam, may be the best of all worlds for many seniors. They combine the firmness and “push-back” of an innerspring, making it easy to move around and get out of bed, with the “hug” of a foam mattress to relieve pressure points, which are important to people with aching joints.
You experience a sumptuous and cloud like feel, and they are great for pressure points. Virtually all of the nine options we present above are essentially “hybrid mattresses”. Coil support layers allow for significant airflow keeping sleepers cool and comfortable naturally.
Check out or Hybrid Mattress Page for enhanced information if you are looking for a mattress that some coil components included in the design. For couples, and for larger folks, a hybrid mattress containing coils is often a great fit.
Natural LATEX FOAM Mattresses
Natural latex foam mattresses provide seniors the benefits of memory foam without some of the drawbacks. Latex provides the “hug” and contouring of memory foam without sleeping hot. It offers superior pressure point relief for those aching muscles and joints and virtually eliminates motion transfer.
Perhaps the best qualities that a natural latex mattress will offer is that the ingredients are essentially chemical free. Natural latex contains zero VOC’s, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and is considered hypo-allergenic. This option should be high on your list if you have allergies, suffer from chemical or fragrance sensitivities, or just want the lively, bouncier feel that natural latex delivers.
That means you won’t wake up every time your partner rolls over or goes to the bathroom. You can check out our Latex Mattress Page and learn why natural latex is such an amazing material to sleep on. I sold a line of natural latex mattresses for over 15 years, many to active seniors who swore by them.
Our Five Top Recommendations For Best Mattress For Seniors
1. The Nolah Natural 11″Hybrid Mattress
One of the best mattress options for seniors and here’s why. First of all, it’s super comfy, reduces pressure, and buoyantly supports and lifts.
It’s built incorporating 3″ of Talalay latex rubber, a purely botanically derived material that is excellent for filling in void areas like between shoulder blades, between ribcage and hips, and is bouncy and lively.
Most conventional innerspring mattresses have a kind of “dead” feel, with no pushback that keeps you on top of the mattress, making it impossible to turn as you sink in and get “stuck”.
By continually laying on a mattress which makes it difficult to turn, tissues, muscles, joints, and bones are repeatedly compressed and mashed.
The Nolah Natural 11″ Latex Hybrid Mattress is made using organic textiles, including organic cotton and wool in the pillow top section of the bed, and adds extra cush factor- taking pressure off of your body and distributing it evenly out to the edges of the mattress.
- Just $1199 In Queen, With Free Delivery
- Made Entirely In the USA
- Get 120 Night No Questions Asked Trial Period
- Lifetime Warranty
- Pre-Compressed In Box, Delivered To Your Door
- Order Here With My Link
- Use On Existing Foundation Or Adjustable Base
State Of The Art Design At A Fraction Of The Cost
When comparing to big brands like Sealy, Simmons, or Serta, you can’t even find a similar mattress.
Using organic wool and cotton for the pillow top piece, and 3″ of botanically derived latex as comfort layers beneath, typically elevates the cost to as high as $2800-$3500 in queen size.
At just $1199, The Nolah Natural 11″ Hybrid Mattress uses a proprietary individually pocketed coil suspension that won’t ever mash down or create pressure points.
As a veteran mattress designer, I appreciate the careful thoughtfulness built into the Nolah Natural 11″ Mattress From the certified organic cotton cover that’s right up top, to the organic wool quilted into the topper (which is natural fire barrier material, circumventing Federal laws that otherwise often require the use of chemically treated fabrics.
Also, wool is a fantastic ventilating material, acting as an insulator and evaporator of moisture to keep you cool and dry in summer, and warm and snuggly during fall and winter.
What’s Inside The Nolah Natural 11″ Hybrid Mattress
① Organic Cotton Cover
This GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton cover is durable, cooling, and luxuriously soft to the touch.
② Added GOTS Organic Wool Layer for Extra Cooling and Breathability
Sleep safely on a soft layer of GOTS Organic wool fibers. The wool serves as a natural fire barrier while adding cooling and breathability.
③ Pressure-Relieving Talalay Latex Comfort Layer
A 2″ layer of natural Talalay latex ensures optimal comfort for pain points and joints, offering up to 33% better pressure relief than synthetic and Dunlop latex.
④ Deep and Supportive Talalay Latex Transition Layer
This 1″ layer of expertly engineered natural Talalay latex offers deep and restorative fully-body support.
⑤ Patented HDMax™️ Tri-Zone™️ Support Coil System
A layer of Nolah’s patented 8″ HDMax™️ Tri-Zone™️ support coils gives the Nolah Natural structure and strength. With three targeted support zones and 25% more coils, it offers better support and comfort than most competing hybrid mattresses.
⑥ Organic Wool and Cotton Bottom Layer
The support coils rest on a cotton and organic wool foundation layer, increasing the overall stability and durability of the mattress.
⑦ Extra-Durable Organic Cotton Bottom Cover
To further lengthen the mattress’s lifespan, we chose the most durable GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric we could find for the cover. We also included handles on the side to make the mattress easier to carry and move.
Get The Nolah Adjustable Base Along With Your Nolah Natural 11″ Mattress
At just $949 in Queen, or $1498 for a dual set of independently operated split king bases, the Nolah Adjustable Base even offers a massage feature, has built-in LED nightlights, built-in USB ports, and wireless remotes.
The entire unit ships in a box, and assembles in 15 minutes..we recommend having two able bodied adults on site for setup service or call a nationwide service that operates in your area to provide in home setup.
You can use companies like TaskRabbit to assemble everything once it arrives. They are a nationwide company that sends a bonded and licensed crew to your home to setup almost anything.
2. The Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress
Rated 4.8 Out Of 5 Stars On Google
We have been reviewing and recommending The Puffy Lux Mattress for almost two years, since it has a strong following of loyal owners and consistent 4.8 out of 5 star reviews on Google for performance and comfort.
At $1499 in Queen and $1699 in King, you’ll get free shipping, a Lifetime Warranty, a 101 night no questions asked sleep trial, and free shipping (and free shipping back if you decide to return it, though the likelihood of that is less than 1%).
- Specifically designed for back pain
- Offers superior edge support due to rigid foam perimeter design
- Lifetime warranty and 101 night trial period
- Individually pocketed coils suspend and support your body to evenly distribute weight
When you purchase a Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress, you’ll also get some freebies, which is a nice touch. In fact, the items included also enhance your sleep hygiene program but making you more comfy-cozy on your new mattress. You will receive:
- Two free cooling pillows
- Complimentary mattress protector
- Set of ultra soft sheets, 300 thread count
You can also finance your purchase on the Puffy web site through Klarna, at a decent rate, too. For more information on the full Puffy lineup, check out our Puffy Mattress page.
One of our perennial favorites as a memory foam/gel foam hybrid mattress for older adults. Designed to be more sumptuous and “hugging” than most mattresses, it offers a specialized 6″ of proprietary AirFoam.
AirFoam is a more open celled version of memory foam that has a matrix similar to a natural sponge, and is very reactive and supportive, cradling and supporting the body.
Just beneath the Air Foam layers, is Puffy’s Contour Adapt Coils which have a foam edge, providing the firmer, more supportive surface you need when sitting or transferring from the mattress, making it one of our most popular choices for seniors
3. The AWARA Natural Hybrid Mattress
Perfect For Hot Sleepers, Allergy Sufferers, Side Sleepers, And Seniors
Many people who are young at heart stay that way because they eat and sleep- green and clean..and that is exactly what The AWARA Natural Hybrid Mattress has to offer.
You won’t find any memory foam, synthetic foam, chemical adhesives or chemical fire retardants here.
Just lush natural and organic materials, like natural Dunlop latex tapped from real rubber trees. And 100% organic wool sourced from happy New Zealand sheep.
We’d describe it as lively, not too soft, buoyant, and easy to turn on and play on. For edge support, because of the pocketed coil system advancing all the way to the outside of the mattress, it delivers.