Best Mattresses For Older People
Buying a mattress later in life means a few new things to consider that you'd never thought of when you were younger. If you've found yourself in this position and aren't sure what your options are or even what would suit your needs best, look at our mattress guide for older people below.
What are the signs an older person needs a new mattress?
Sticking with the same mattress for years can be easy without noticing that it may be time to trade it in. If you are worried that your current mattress's lifespan may be ending but aren't quite sure, here are a few things to look out for.
1. You're not feeling rested in the morning
Sleeping is about resting away the aches and pains of the day and waking to a refreshed, replenished mind and body. However, if you regularly wake up to aches, stiffness, or even numbness, then sleeping on your current mattress may be doing more harm than good, and it's time to consider trading it in. If you find your back is more achy and painful than normal, then make sure to check out our best mattresses for back pain article before exploring our curated range of mattresses for back problems.
2. Your mattress is dipping
As much as we love them, mattresses don't last forever. Repeated use nightly without a mattress protector could cause your mattress to become lumpy or dip in certain areas. This makes sleeping comfortably significantly challenging and could lead to you 'sinking' into these areas. Prolonged usage of a dipping mattress may aggravate any pre-existing issues and cause more trouble than it's worth.
3. Your mattress is over eight-years-old
This basic rule of thumb applies to all mattresses - generally if your mattress is over eight years old, you should consider replacing it. Mattresses over eight years old rarely provide the support or comfort you needed when they were first purchased; in that respect, getting yourself one that does should be high on your list of priorities. Find out more in our guide on how often you should change your mattress.
What mattress types are best for older people?
Orthopaedic Mattresses
As we age, our bodies take longer to heal and are more likely to suffer from aches and pains, particularly back pain. Orthopaedic mattresses are specially designed to help with back pain by offering high levels of spine support, making them ideal for older people.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are perfect for lower back or hip pain. The material moulds to your body, alleviating any pre-existing pressure points that caused pain on your previous mattress. However, if you tend to toss and turn during the night, we recommend a firmer mattress, as the contorting quality of the memory foam mattress can make it difficult to move around effortlessly.
Want to find out more about these unique mattresses? Explore our memory foam mattress guide for more information!
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are highly recommended because they offer the option of higher or lower degrees of firmness, depending on your needs. If you toss and turn during the night, the compromise between comfort and support will support this movement while also providing a foundation for any joint pain plaguing your attempts at sleep.
What mattress features can help with limited mobility?
Older people have more specialised needs when it comes to mattresses, and the number one priority should be ensuring you can get in and out of bed easily. These include:
- Edge support – having firm edge support in your mattress not only helps to get in and out of bed but also provides support for when you are in bed. The extra edge support allows your mattress to keep its shape and reduces the risk of the edges sagging.
- Mattress height – making sure you can reach the floor easily means there is a lower chance of you falling or tripping when getting in and out of bed.
- Pressure relief—People over 70 are more likely to develop pressure ulcers or bed sores due to mobility issues and ageing skin. It is very important to choose a mattress that offers enough support while also providing relief from pressure and comfort.
How high should a mattress be for older people?
This may be something you've never considered, but if mobility is an issue for you, then a thick, high mattress will only make it harder to get in and out of your bed each time. We recommend looking at mattresses between 8 and 10 inches thick, as anything higher will likely make it difficult for you to manoeuvre without a step.
Keep in mind the height of your bed as well - a bed that is lower to the ground will be harder to get out of, while a bed that is too high could risk you falling out! Our bed height guide has answers to all your frequently asked questions for more information.
Are there mattresses that are easy to move for older people?
Flipping or rotating a mattress is important to enhance its lifespan, but it can be daunting for an older person. If lifting and flipping a mattress every few months isn't appealing, you could opt for a single-sided mattress. These mattresses have only a special feature on one side, such as memory foam, so they should not be flipped over but rotated instead.
Check the details on the mattress you're interested in to see whether it needs to be rotated or flipped.
