Adjustable Beds for Seniors

What the best adjustable bed for seniors?

The best adjustable bed for a senior is the bed that meets that specific senior’s needs.  There are several features that could benefit seniors, depending on the situation.  Some popular bed functions available on adjustable beds that may apply is the Hi Low feature and the Elevation feature.  When a bed has Hi Low capability, it means the bed level can raise and lower as needed.  This can assist anyone with difficulty entering or exiting the bed.  The Elevation feature tilts the bed to ease GERD symptoms which is a common issue that seniors face.

Mattresses for Seniors

Pairing a good adjustable bed and a mattress for a senior can help the senior sleep more comfortably. Lying flat on their back may not be enough for a senior to have a good night’s rest. For example, many seniors have hip pain. Sleeping on their side on an adjustable bed can help relieve pressure off the hips. The type of mattress best suited to a senior depends on their preference and specific needs. But there are common things among the mattresses seniors choose. For example, most seniors enjoy good edge support if the mattress is soft. A firmer does not need as much edge support though.

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Best Adjustable Beds for Seniors

Glideaway Motion 600 Adjustable Bed

Glideaway’s model Odessa is a great adjustable bed for senior use.  It has the Elevation feature, which raises the frame in the flat position.  This feature alone can aid with sleep apnea, acid reflux, snoring and more.  It also deals with posture problems, offering support and encouraging spinal alignment.  Overall, this option offers a combination of features that will assist seniors in achieving a good night’s sleep.

SIZES: Twin XL, Queen, Split King

Transfer Master Hi Low Adjustable Bed

It’s no secret that as we age, muscle strength and mobility may somewhat fade.  The Transfer Master Hi Low is a very good adjustable bed for seniors because it includes a special Hi-Low feature.  This enables the bed to lower for easier access by seniors who may be weaker or have special needs.  It can then be raised to the standard bed height or higher for those who are tended to by others.  The vertical range is ten inches on this adjustable bed and it has optional side rails.  The Transfer Master Hi-Low includes massage.

Transfer Masters Hi-Low Optional mattress

Transfer Masters has an option to pair their mattresses with the Supernal Hi-Low bed base. There are two different types of mattresses. One is a vinyl option to protect the mattress. It can be cleaned with a household cleaner. The other option is a soft touch bamboo mattress with has a quilted cover. This mattress has Joma Wool filling. Joma Wool is wool from sheep raised in New Zealand. It uses a unique crimping process to improve its bulk and resilience. The wool attracts and absorbs water vapor. Both mattresses are made for seniors or people that need help getting in and out of bed.

SIZES: Twin XL, Full, Queen, Split King

Flex-a-Bed bed Adjustable Bed

The Flex-a-Bed Hi-Low SL has Hi-Low capability as well but it offers seniors more options in terms of size.  It comes in standard Twin, Full or Queen sizes.  It also comes custom sizing with longer bed sizes.  These beds can be 74”, 80”, or even 84” length.  Really, this is a good adjustable bed for seniors because it has the Hi-Low feature and some useful optional features.  Side rails can be added for those who need them or left out for those who don’t.  Massage is also available but does not come standard.

Flexabed Hi-Low SL Optional Mattress

The Flexabed has its own mattress to pair with the Flexabed Hi-Low SL bed base. The innerspring mattress has three different comfort levels. This mattress can come in soft, medium, or firm. The memory foam core, latex, and low profile mattresses have a medium comfort level. The gel memory foam is a medium-firm comfort level. The low profile mattress is 6 inches tall while the rest are 10 inches tall.

SIZES: Twin XL, Full, Queen, Split King, also comes in custom lengths of 74″, 80″, 84″

The Ultimate Flex Assist Adjustable Bed

Seniors and anyone with physical strength issues can appreciate the lift-up function on the Ultimate Flex Assist.  This adjustable bed for seniors offers the capacity to move from a flat bed to a chair.  Then, the chair lifts, tilting forward, to help the user move into a standing position with less effort.  Though it moves similar to a lift chair recliner, it is a Twin XL bed with head and feet adjustability.

SIZES: Twin, Twin XL

Adjustable Beds for the Elderly

Many people looking at adjustable beds for seniors battle conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.  One good way an adjustable bed can address these issues is by promoting good posture.  By advocating proper spinal alignment, an adjustable base can reduce the chance of fracture due to osteoporosis.  A supportive adjustable bed for elderly use can reduce muscle strain in the back which may otherwise lead to greater issues down the line.

Feature Benefits for Elderly 

Aging seniors can specifically target issues that impact sleep using a range of features available on adjustable beds.  If bothersome aches and pains are preventing good sleep, sometimes there is a solution that can help.  For instance, there are benefits of sleeping with the legs elevated using adjustable positioning.  Circulation problems can affect the elderly disproportionately.  Dr. Satish Vayuvegula from Vein Clinics of America suggests elevating the legs can help circulation and improve blood flow.  Studies on adjustable positioning also show it is often effective at reducing acid reflux.  Here are some other key features that may benefit the elderly.

Trendelenburg Position

Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg beds have a distinct position unavailable on other models.  These allow full body tilt while lying flat which makes them good adjustable beds for side sleepers with GERD.  Elevating the head of the bed like this can be useful to seniors who have acid reflux problems.  One study revealed that 8% of men and 15% of women over the age of 65 experience acid reflux.

Hi low

As strength decreases, climbing into bed can become a challenge.  Hi low adjustable beds help because they allow the bed to be lowered for easier transitioning from the standing position.  Once in the bed safely, these beds can be raised back up for cases when a caregiver must assist.  This position is commonly available on hospital-type adjustable beds because it is regularly used for people with special concerns.

Lift Chair Position

Another beneficial feature for elderly is the lift chair position.  This addresses mobility and strength difficulties as well.  It works similar to the lift chair recliner.  Adjustable beds with this feature can move from a flat bed, into a chair that tilts forward.  This makes it easier for a person to move from laying down into the standing position.

Zero Gravity Position

The Zero gravity position was made to relieve muscle an joint pain, especially in the lower back. Hence, it is a great position for seniors because 70 percent the elderly have musculokelatal pain. With the zero gravity position, the upper body and upper legs (thighs) are raised. The legs are still slightly bent at the knees. The body is placed at about an angle of 120 degrees instead of 180 degrees when lying flat. This position helps reduce the pressure on the lower back.

Built in Massage

Not all adjustable beds for seniors come with a massage feature, but some do. The Flexabed SL has an option to have a massage. Meanhile, the Ultimate Flex Assist and the Transfer Master Supernal Hi-Low both come with a massage as a standard. The massage on the adjustable beds can have different intensities. Having a massage feature can be great for seniors. The vibrations can help with circulation and ease muscle and joint pain.

Common Adjustable Beds Sizes for Seniors

Seniors sleep in different bed sizes, depending on their circumstances.  Those who sleep alone usually opt for an adjustable bed size of Twin, Twin XL, or Full.  When two or more intend to sleep in the same bed, they often choose a traditional Queen or a Split King.  Split adjustable beds offer the advantage that each side can be set to different positions and experience different features separately.  That can be especially nice for senior couples who may have preferences that differ.  Those who are taller than the average, might decide the longer California King size adjustable bed is optimal.

Conclusion

There are several notable features to look for when looking at adjustable beds for seniors to use.  We sell many adjustable beds from a variety of manufacturers and are not biased in our recommendation of the Glideaway line for seniors.  Its unique Elevation feature is simply a great feature that elderly customers can use and benefit from, making it a top choice.  Elevation allows the bed to address multiple problems that seniors experience including arthritis, GERD, sleep apnea and more.  The Transfer Master and Flex a Bed can be good choices for seniors or others who have need for a bedside caregiver.

FAQ

What is the hi low function?

The Hi Low function on an adjustable bed allows the bed to be raised up and down vertically.  The height to which the bed raises and lowers varies based on the bed’s manufacturer.

What is the elevation feature?

The Elevation feature gives an adjustable bed the ability to be raised at one end while in the “flat” position.  This creates an entire bed tilt that keeps the head of the bed higher than the foot of the bed.

Do adjustable beds come with rails for seniors?

While adjustable beds do not come standard with side rails, they are an optional accessory for certain models.