Best Mattresses for Seniors – How to Choose the Best Mattress for Your Aging Body

As we get older, we learn to put up with life’s little aches and pains. Even if we have avoided major injuries and chronic health conditions, we probably feel a little stiff from time to time. “It’s ok,” we think to ourselves, “that’s just a part of aging.”

The problem with this perspective is that it often prevents us from taking the necessary steps that could help us to improve our well-being after 60. This is especially true when it comes to our sleep.

For example, because of the way that the aging process is portrayed in movies and on TV, many of us have the false belief that disturbed sleep is “normal” for older adults. We may even think that we don’t need as much sleep as we used to. After all, if we still needed 7-8 hours of sleep, why would we wake up at 4:30 am?

The truth is that poor sleep is not an inevitable part of getting older. In my other sleep articles, I have discussed the dietary and environmental changes that you can make to sleep better. Now, I’d like to talk about the single most important piece of furniture in your house – your mattress.

Is a Good Mattress a “Luxury” or a “Necessity?”

There is no doubt that managing your budget is difficult after 60. This is especially true for those of us who are living on a pension or working part-time. As a result, our purchasing patterns tend to shift away from “luxuries” and towards “necessities.”

This approach is perfectly rational. The only challenge comes when we mix up the two categories. For example, I know people my age who insist on having a car, even though they rarely use it. Many of these people insist that they don’t have money for a new mattress, even though they are suffering from lower back pain and wake up feeling miserable.

I’m not saying that you should sell your car and buy a new mattress. I’m simply saying that good sleep is not a luxury. As a result, you may want to reprioritize the most important item of furniture in your house – your mattress.

That said, how do you know if you even need a new mattress? The best answer to this question is that you need to listen to your body. Do you wake up stiff and sore? Does your lower back feel worse in the morning than in the evening? Is your mattress 10+ years old? If so, it may be worth considering a new mattress.

What Should We Look for in a Mattress?

Finding the right mattress might feel harder than it needs to be. Let’s take a look at what really matters when choosing a mattress.

• Price: Mattresses range from budget to expensive – but does a higher cost always mean higher quality? 
• Materials: Mattresses are made from a number of different materials – the quality of these will determine both their comfort and longevity. 
• Firmness Level: How hard or soft the mattress feels can have a big impact on your sleep quality. However, it is also a very personal choice. Your weight and sleeping position can have a big impact on the level of firmness that best suits you.
• Pressure Relief: Hips, shoulders, back and joint pain can all be helped by choosing a mattress with significant pressure relief.
• Contouring: Contributing to the overall comfort as well as pressure relief, contouring refers to the mattress’s ability to mold to your body form under your weight. 
• Temperature Regulation: Materials, thickness and airflow of the mattress can affect temperature regulation. If you prefer to sleep relatively cool, you will be looking for a mattress that absorbs less body heat.

The Best Mattresses for Seniors

We have split the mattresses into five categories:

1. Innerspring
2. Memory Foam
3. Latex
4. Air
5. Adjustable

Here are our top 10 mattresses for seniors:

1. Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses are one of the most popular types of mattresses. They’ve been around for ages, and there are tons of options to choose from. Getting an extremely high-end innerspring mattress, with an abundance of coils, won’t necessarily give you a better night’s sleep than a mid-range mattress.

That said, if you are sleeping on an old innerspring mattress, it may not have enough coils to support your weight evenly.

Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Collection

The Lux Estate mattress is designed with IntelliCoil® HD that provides perfect support for your body, and the HD memory foam creates a responsive feel that’s easy to melt into.

The mattress comes in three different firmness levels: Firm, Plush or Ultra Firm with the same options offered in an optional pillow top.

Marketed to fit seamlessly into a perfectly designed bedroom, it includes all the extra touches you deserve – velvet inset handles, embroidery, and copper air vents.

Pros

• Premium upholstery-grade fabrics ensure the timeless design of your mattress lasts for years to come. 
• 10 year warranty

Cons

• It is more expensive than other mattresses on the market and therefore not an option for those looking for a budget mattress.

The Wink Bed

The Wink Bed is a premium hybrid mattress designed for exceptional comfort and support. It combines innerspring coils with foam layers to offer a balanced sleep experience. Known for its durability, it comes in multiple firmness options and features a cooling Tencel cover, making it a popular choice for a restful night’s sleep.

Pros

• Versatile Firmness Options: The Wink Bed offers a range of firmness options, allowing customers to choose the level of support that suits their preferences, whether they prefer a softer or firmer mattress.
• Durability: This mattress is constructed with high-quality materials, including durable innerspring coils and premium foam layers, making it a long-lasting investment that retains its comfort and support over time.

Cons

• Price: The Wink Bed is considered a luxury mattress, and its premium features and materials can result in a higher price point compared to some other mattresses on the market.

2. Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular in recent years. They have many features that appeal to those of us in our 60s.

For starters, they tend to do a good job of evenly distributing your weight. This helps to reduce pressure points and may prevent you from disturbing your partner – and vice-versa.

On the other hand, memory foam mattresses can be a bit on the warm side. So, if like many women in our community, you still suffer from night sweats, they may not be the best option.

Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress

A premium memory foam mattress the 5-lb memory foam and high-density foam layers contour to your body to relieve pressure points while offering stable support. Ultra breathable gel-infused foam keeps you cool throughout the night while providing extra support for your lower back.

The mattress comes in two different firmness levels:

Relaxed Firm offers an ideal balance of plush comfort and contouring support and is particularly ideal for couples with different comfort preferences and sleep styles

Firm is ideal for stomach sleepers or back sleepers who prefer a firmer feel.

Saatva offers a 180-night home trial period, free white glove delivery, and it comes with a 15-year non-prorated warranty.

Pros

• Handcrafted in the U.S. with premium, eco-friendly materials.
• Two firmness levels to choose from
• 8 different mattress sizes

Cons

• It is more expensive than other mattresses on the market and therefore not an option for those looking for a budget mattress.

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

The Layla Memory Foam mattress is made with copper gel that reacts to increased pressure with a firming response. It stays soft and huggy overall, but provides ample support around deep compression areas where you need it most.

This mattress comes in two firmness levels, soft or firm – and you get both in one mattress! Just flip the mattress over to the side that best suits your sleeping requirements. 

What’s more, the copper particles that make up the copper gel in the memory foam are superconductive. This conductivity helps carry heat away from your body faster which results in a much cooler sleep experience than you get with old-timey conventional memory foams.

Pros

• One mattress gives you two levels of firmness to choose from
• Rated as the best cooling mattress 2022 by FORBES

Cons

• Comes in six sizes giving less options than other mattresses on the market.

3. Latex Mattresses

If your health professional has told you to try a firmer mattress, a latex mattress may be a good option. These mattresses have many of the properties of memory foam mattresses, but they tend to be a bit firmer. If you suffer from back pain and are worried about overheating at night, a latex mattress may be the best way to go.

Avocado Latex Mattress

The Avocado Latex Mattress provides gentle, stable, cool, motion-isolating support with just a touch of gentle give.

Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association it helps keep your spine aligned and reduces pressure points in your shoulder and hips.

It comes in just one firmness level (rated 7.5 on a scale of 1-10) with seven sizes to choose from. 

Pros

• Provides even distribution of body pressure. You tend to float on top of the latex mattress, rather than sink

Cons

• Very heavy (between 93-185 pounds) so unboxing can be hard.
• Only one firmness level. 

Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress

The Pure Green Natural Latex mattress is made of natural latex that provides a simple but high quality mattress. It is comfortable, durable, and has a good price point.

Each point of the natural latex foam absorbs pressure instantly with minimal distribution to the rest of the surface area. This allows the foam to contour smoothly around the body and enables movement without resistance or disturbance.

With two firmness levels to choose from, customers can pick either the medium or firm mattress in six different sizes. 

Pros

• Made from organic materials and handcrafted in the USA. 
• Two levels of firmness to select from.
• Budget friendly.

Cons

• Needs to be used ideally on a frame with a solid base.

4. Air Mattresses

Do you and your partner have very different mattress needs? Then you may want to consider an air mattress. These mattresses use inflatable chambers and can provide very different conditions for each partner.

If you choose an air mattress, make sure that it’s firm enough. Otherwise, you may inadvertently make your back pain worse!

Air Pedic 800

The Air Pedic 800 offers pressure reducing innovation for the ultimate in plush comfort. The gel responsive surface layering gives you a more reactive and lower-temperature comfort all night long.

With dual side control and two hand held remotes to allow you to easily adjust the firmness level, this is an ideal mattress if you and your partner both want something different!

If your body type generates extra heat or you just want to sleep cooler, you have the option of adding on the Airflow Transfer System which provides up to 100 times more breathability for a more temperature consistent sleeping environment.

Pros

• Fully adjustable enabling you to create the perfect mattress for your sleeping position and needs.
• 30-year limited warranty

Cons

• Expensive – this mattress sits at the top end of the price scale. 
• A number of add-ons which improve the mattress performance but cost extra

Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Bed

The 360 p6 Smart Bed provides adjustable comfort and firmness on each side (your Sleep Number setting) and responds to your movements and automatically adjusts firmness if required individually to each side.

It does all this through the SleepIQ Sleep Tracker – a smart app that  accurately measures your biometrics – average heart, breathing rates and movements – throughout the night, then automatically adjusts the mattress to your individual needs. You’ll see a daily snapshot of factors on the app that can dramatically affect your sleep quality and track these over time.

Pros

• The smart app provides a completely personalised experience, perfect if you wish you could sometimes change the firmness or comfort of your mattress. 
• 8 mattress sized to choose from.

Cons

• Expensive – this mattress sits at the top end of the price scale. 
• To get full use of the smart control of the mattress requires additional purchase of base.

5. Adjustable Mattresses

Adjustable beds are a good option if you can’t get comfortable lying flat. Most of the women in our community don’t have trouble getting out of bed yet, but this is something that may happen as we get a little older. If you suffer from sleep apnea or acid reflux, talk to your doctor about whether an adjustable bed might help.

The Purple Mattress with Purple Ascent Adjustable Base

The Purple Mattress features two inches of breathable ​GelFlex Grid to cradle pressure points like hips and shoulders while keeping the rest of your body fully aligned.

It is the perfect mattress to go with the Ascent Adjustable Base which, designed to help improve your sleep quality and daily comfort, provides premium, customizable support for your mattress.

Pros 

• The soft, cushioning Grid provides pressure reduction with layers of foam providing extra padding
• Zero-Gravity preset to create a near-weightless feel

Cons

• Requires purchase of the mattress and adjustable bed frame which increases the price. 

Saatva Solaire Mattress

The Saatva Solaire mattress offers individual controls and lets you set the firmness level that’s right for you. The air chambers adjust firmness incrementally, and the hidden pump operates quietly.

Pros

• 50 firmness settings for your perfect comfort level in every sleep position
• Pressure-relieving comfort layers cradle your body in perfect alignment

Cons

• To get the most personalized comfort options Lineal Adjustable Base is also required. 
• It is more expensive than other mattresses on the market and therefore not an option for those looking for a budget mattress.

Getting the Most from Your Trip to the Mattress Store

At the end of the day, there is no “best” mattress for older adults and seniors. Each of our bodies is different. Once you have an idea of the types of mattress that may be good for you, it’s time to venture out to your local mattress store. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your visit.

Spend a Few Minutes Thinking About How You Sleep

If you haven’t already, start a sleep diary. This can help you to get in touch with your sleep patterns. Are there specific parts of your body that hurt in the morning? Are you suffering from any specific medical conditions?

Have you talked to your doctor about what kind of bed might work best for you? Write down the answers to these questions to make your shopping experience easier.

Decide How Much You Can Spend on a New Mattress

While it is important to get a high-quality mattress, spending more will not always guarantee better results. As WebMD points out, “Salespeople may try to sell you on the idea that more coils mean more comfort, but that’s not necessarily true.”

Many stores have monthly payment plans that can make the purchase of the mattress you want a little more accessible if you don’t have the full amount on hand. Don’t hesitate to ask, but make sure that you can afford the future monthly payments.

Take Your Time

If you can, avoid shopping for a mattress on the weekend. Go during a quiet time when you can try out each bed without too much pressure. When you lie down on a bed, get into multiple sleeping positions.

Don’t feel like you need to hop up after a few minutes. This may be the most important purchasing decision that you will make all year.

Don’t Leave Your Sleep to Chance

Broken sleep is not normal after 60. At the same time, as we get a little older, sleeping peacefully requires a proactive approach. We may need to deal with the medical complaints that are keeping us up at night.

We may also need to make small adjustments to our diet or sleep environment. If you sleep on an old mattress, or wake up stiff and sore, it may be time for a change!

Best Mattress FAQs

What Type of Mattress Is Best for an Elderly Person?

An air mattress is a great choice for seniors. These mattresses use inflatable chambers and can provide very different conditions at the touch of a button to provide the perfect level of comfort and firmness. What’s more, most offer the option to create different firmness levels on either side, meaning you and your partner can both be comfortable. 

Should You Get a Firm Mattress?

Seniors often need a mattress with excellent pressure relief to help reduce pressure points in key areas like the shoulders, hips and back. Generally, a medium to medium firm mattress will provide this optimal level of support and help alleviate back and joint pain.

How Does Age Affect Sleep?

Some older adults may have no sleep disruptions, but others complain about getting less sleep and having worse sleep quality. Some common issues are a shifting sleep schedule, daytime napping, waking up at night and longer recovery times from changes in sleep schedule. 

Do Older Adults Need Less Sleep?

The National Institution on Aging considers this a myth. The National Sleep Foundation guidelines suggest that seniors should get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. This is particularly important as insufficient sleep in older adults has been shown to  lead to a higher risk of falls and accidents.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you recently purchased a new mattress? How did you make your decision? Have you found that your new mattress has helped you to sleep better at night? Please share your experience below!