Like any other adult, seniors need between seven to nine hours of good sleep. However, not all beds and mattresses offer enough comfort for some seniors to have the required amount of sleep needed to maintain great health. Lack of sleep can be a problem for anyone in the long run – more so for seniors.
How Adjustable Beds Help
Since most seniors struggle with different health issues, it’s crucial to get the right bed for them and ensure they sleep well each night. And one of the best beds for seniors is adjustable beds. This type of bed comes with customizable support settings that are beneficial to a senior’s back and overall health. In addition, these beds offer efficiency as they come with handheld remote controls, making them suitable for most seniors who are already experiencing limited mobility. Thanks to advancements in technology, wireless and smart controllers can now allow seniors to have independence when using these beds.
Apart from increased comfort, an adjustable bed has a lot more to offer seniors. They may curb snoring by positioning a senior’s head, neck, and back in a way that more air is flowing through the nose and throat. It may also prevent acid reflux by allowing seniors to sleep with the head slightly elevated. Moreover, it may help seniors suffering from fibromyalgia to sleep better by allowing them to achieve the most comfortable sleep position. Even restless leg syndrome may be alleviated by adjustable beds by elevating the legs.
With all these benefits that adjustable beds bring, seniors will most likely have a night of better sleep and wake up well-rested. However, adjustable beds aren’t one-size-fits-all as they vary in design and features. Don’t fret, though, as this article discusses different ways of choosing the best adjustable beds for your senior loved one. Here are the things that you need to consider:
Functionality
Before choosing an adjustable bed, it’s important to keep the added functions in mind depending on the senior’s preference. For instance, you can select a massage function that will send vibration throughout one’s body which is instrumental in relieving pain. In addition, the massage feature helps in soothing one to sleep, which is great for people who have to take a lot of time to doze off. Additionally, if the senior experiences sore muscles, you can settle for a heat setting which will be instrumental in finding relief. Another essential function that’s great for seniors is the zero-gravity function which improves sleep and promotes circulation by heightening the foot position.
Since most adjustable beds depend on electricity to function, ensure that you get one with a battery backup in case of a power outage. As for seniors who may want to know how their sleep has been, you may opt for a bed with a smart tracking functionality that monitors heart rate, movement, and breathing rate while the user sleeps.
Compatibility
Although an adjustable bed can support a variety of mattresses, it’s necessary to ensure that the available mattress will fit well to avoid additional costs. If the available mattress is between memory foam, latex, or air, it’s okay to invest in them as they’re the most flexible options out there.
However, people with a spring mattress may need to get a different one as they don’t usually allow adjustments. Ultimately, the choice of mattress boils down to your preference. However, lean towards a flexible type if you plan to use it with an adjustable bed to avoid compatibility issues.
Additional Features
When choosing the best adjustable bed, there are additional features that you have to consider. For instance, you can opt for ones that allow for the addition of rails for added safety. Bed rails are especially helpful for seniors who tend to lose their footing easily. Not all adjustable beds offer that option, so be sure to ask if it’s possible to do that. Another useful extra feature is voice control, which will allow the user to activate the other features of the bed by dictating commands.
To ensure that the adjustable bed is suitable for the senior, ask for a trial where you can test it out. Some stores or sellers offer that, so don’t hesitate to ask. It will make choosing the right bed for your loved one easier.
Consider The Size
Just like the way you consider the size of the bed based on your space when shopping for a regular bed, you’ll also have to do the same with an adjustable bed. The first thing to do is settle on a size, be it a twin, a California king-size, or any other option.
The size of the bed will also be affected by a split design. And when it comes to such, consider if a couple of seniors will share the bed. If shared, you may need to settle for a split model to allow extra function freedom. If not, then go for the regular ones.
Bottom Line
Adjustable beds are a great option if you want comfort, especially for seniors. But before settling on one, there are several things to consider to make a perfect choice.
When choosing an adjustable bed, take a look at the bed’s functionality, compatibility with mattresses, size, and additional features, such as voice control. Taking all these things into consideration will make selecting an adjustable bed easier for you. It will also help you get one that’s well worth your money. Most importantly, you can buy something that your senior loved one will love to use every day.