Just as kids need a flat and firm mattress and adults need a medium-firm and luxury mattress, older adults also need a specific type of mattress to have restful and uninterrupted sleep each night.
Unfortunately, most seniors or their loved ones pay little to no attention to the mattress their elderly sleep on. As a result, seniors end up tossing and turning throughout the night, waking up feeling exhausted and groggy. This also takes a toll on their health, deteriorating their mental health and leading to life-threatening health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Buying the right mattress online can enable the elderly to have restorative sleep and keep back pain and joint problems at bay. But which type of mattress is right for them? In this blog, we will talk about just that, plus three mattresses for seniors according to sleep experts. Let’s dive in:
Understanding Sleep Among Older Adults
It’s no secret that sleep needs change as we grow old. While children and adolescents require more sleep than adults, older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults—seven or more hours per night.
Unfortunately, many older adults often struggle to get the sleep they need. One reason is that they have more trouble falling asleep. A study of adults over 65 found that 13 percent of men and 36 percent of women take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep.
Additionally, seniors often sleep less deeply and wake up more frequently throughout the night. This fragmented sleep might explain why they tend to nap more during the day. Nighttime sleep schedules can also shift with age, leading many older adults to feel sleepy earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning.
Several factors contribute to these changes in sleep in the later years. Sleep experts believe older adults may produce and secrete less melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep. They may also be more sensitive to environmental changes, such as noise, which can cause them to wake up more easily. Another common culprit is the mattress. Buying the best mattress online can help seniors fall asleep quickly and offer uninterrupted sleep each night.
Medical and psychiatric issues can also take a toll on nighttime sleep in older adults. Researchers have found that those without major medical or psychiatric illnesses tend to sleep better
How Poor Sleep Affects Seniors
Poor sleep affects everyone, especially older adults as their overall health starts to deteriorate with age. Not getting the recommended sleep of seven to eight hours every night can lead to a variety of problems in the elderly.
Older adults who do not sleep well at night are more likely to experience depressed mood, attention and memory issues, excessive daytime sleepiness, more nighttime falls, and increased use of over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids. Poor sleep is also linked to a lower quality of life in old age.
It is also a common misconception that poor sleep is a normal part of ageing, which means seniors’ fragmented and poor sleep is normal and should be a cause of concern. However, experts believe otherwise. Healthy older adults report few or no sleep problems. While sleep patterns do change with age, consistent sleep disturbances and waking up tired every day are not normal. If you or your elderly loved one is having trouble sleeping, they should see a doctor or sleep specialist.
Role of the Right Mattress for Seniors
Just as a bad mattress can keep younger adults awake all night, the wrong mattress can cause several sleep and health problems for seniors. The right mattress, on the other hand, can help them sleep peacefully and without interruption through the night. It can also keep back pain and joint problems at bay, allowing them to lead an active lifestyle even in later years.
What’s the Best Type of Mattress for Seniors
When it comes to deciding the best type of mattress for seniors, there isn’t one clear-cut type. The market has different types of mattresses available—Nexa foam, memory foam, pocket spring, latex, etc.—all marketed as the best mattress for older adults. But what makes one truly the best lies in its comfort level, back support, and features that enhance overall sleep quality for seniors. Let’s look at the key factors that make for a perfect mattress for seniors.
Enhanced Support and Comfort
The best mattress for seniors comes with enhanced back support and comfort, preventing excessive sinking in and providing targeted support to the back. This helps alleviate or avoid back pain among older adults.
Medium Firmness
While it’s true that there’s no one-size-fits-all firmness level, sleep experts recommend a mattress that is not too soft or firm. Some people may have varying preferences, from the plush embrace of a softer mattress to the firm support of a sturdier surface. but the key is to strike the perfect balance between soft and firm, providing both comfort and alignment for a truly restorative sleep experience.
Pressure Point Relief
Chronic pain can be a constant partner for many seniors, making it crucial to choose a mattress with specialised pain relief features. Materials like Nexa foam offer targeted support, alleviating pressure points and reducing discomfort. By distributing weight evenly, these features provide much-needed relief, allowing seniors to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Additional Features
When selecting a mattress for seniors, it’s essential to consider additional features that can enhance sleep quality. Motion isolation technology reduces disruptions caused by a partner’s movements, while orthopedic support provides extra reinforcement for the spine and joints.
Breathable materials and temperature-regulating features, such as those found in Sleepwell Nexa mattresses, promote a cooler, more comfortable sleep environment, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. It’s also a good idea to look for antimicrobial technology in mattresses online to safeguard seniors against allergies caused by dust mites and allergens that often lurk in ordinary mattresses.
Best Mattresses for Older People In India
While the Indian mattress market has a plethora of brands claiming to offer the best mattress for senior citizens, sleep experts found Sleepwell to be the best brand for its innovative technology and attention to craftsmanship. Not surprisingly, the three mattresses considered best for seniors are from Sleepwell. Let’s check them out:
Sleepwell Pro Nexa Luxury Mattress
Crafted by India’s premier luxury mattress brand, the Pro Nexa Luxury Mattress is designed for uninterrupted, refreshing sleep. It boasts superior air circulation, plush comfort, and responsive contouring, perfect for older adults who struggle to fall asleep at night.
With Neem Fresche’s antibacterial technology, this is the best bed mattress online that safeguards against dust mites and allergies. It also comes with an anti-skid bottom fabric that prevents unnecessary movement. Comprising eight layers, including premium knitted fabric, Pro Nexa foam, and Resitec foam, it ensures optimal support and comfort. What’s more, its engineered side wall technology enhances edge support, which is a plus for seniors. Available in various sizes and thicknesses, it’s backed by a seven-year warranty.
Sleepwell’s Spinetech Air Luxury Mattress
This online mattress is a perfect blend of comfort and orthopedic support. It combines a medium-soft feel with enhanced firmness and plushness, ensuring a cosy sleep experience for seniors. With a thickness of 17.5 cm (7.0″), it promotes optimal spine alignment for a restful night’s sleep. Its innovative design facilitates superior air circulation, keeping you cool and refreshed throughout the night. The contour-hugging feature provides full-body support, while the anti-skid bottom adds stability. With this mattress, older people can experience the ideal combination of spine support and luxurious comfort.
Sleepwell Pro Nexa Premium Mattress
The Pro Nexa Premium Mattress is a luxurious mattress online for seniors. Beyond offering top-tier comfort, plushness, and superior air circulation, this mattress boasts a superior 3-zoned contour cut profile for even pressure distribution and improved ventilation.
While lacking the Euro Top Finish of the Pro Nexa Luxury Mattress, it still provides exceptional support and pressure point relief for pain-free, uninterrupted sleep. Available in Single, King, Queen, or Custom sizes, with thickness options of 15 cm (6”) and 20 cm (8”), it is backed by a six-year warranty.
Final Note
Contrary to popular notion, seniors need as much sleep as younger adults. That said, given the changes in their sleep patterns, they need the right mattress to support their sleep and overall health. When it comes to buying the best mattress online for seniors, there’s no one-size-fits-all type. Any mattress that offers medium-firmness, enhanced back support, plush feel, and features like motion isolation, temperature regulation, and others can be an excellent choice for older adults. In India, Sleepwell has a wide range of mattresses with innovative technology and superior materials that people of all ages can consider buying online.
