There are many factors that play an important role in helping you get a good night’s sleep, one of which is your mattress.
Your mattress can make all the difference between enjoying a nice, peaceful 8-9 hours of sleep or a fidgety night full of constant tossing and turning.
Having the right mattress is extremely vital, especially for seniors because as you age, you are likely to experience changes in your sleep cycle. Furthermore, seniors also often face difficulties in getting a restful night’s sleep due to chronic health conditions, along with body pains and aches.
Therefore, the right mattress that meets the growing needs of seniors and helps them overcome the health-related challenges they face is a top priority.
We’ve rounded up some of the best types of mattresses for seniors to help you get your hands on the ideal mattress to fulfill all your sleep specific needs and requirements.
Take a look at this easy guide for seniors and learn all about the different types of mattresses there are along with their pros, cons, lifespan, firmness, and comfort levels.
Innerspring Mattress
This is one of the most popular types of mattresses for seniors that have been around for more than a hundred years. Out of all the mattresses that are available today, innerspring mattresses are probably the most well-known and frequently-bought among most people.
The key characteristic of innerspring mattresses is that they use steel coils in their construction that compress when you put weight on it. The coils provide immense support to your body when you lie down on the mattress. So, the greater number of coils that a mattress has, the higher the quality of sleep you will enjoy.
Innerspring mattresses have evolved over the years, and the current models provide increased supportive tension, better placement, and higher comfort levels as compared to the older models from past generations.
This mattress primarily contains three structures or parts:
- 1The Foundation
This is the bottom part of the mattress that is usually made of wool, and its key function is to offer structure to the core and sustain the coils.
- 2The Core
This is the main part of the mattress that houses all the springs and coils.
- 3The Upholstery
This is the comfort layer atop the springs and coils and is made of different types of materials, including foam and fiber.
When shopping for innerspring mattresses, an important thing to bear in mind is that the distribution and number of coils in the mattress is an indication of its overall quality. Each mattress comes with varied shapes and the number of spring and coil gauges that determine how well it will provide back support and other kinds of sleep-related benefits.
Types of Coils
There are many types of coils used in innerspring mattresses, the most common of which are:
Continuous coils
As the name suggests, continuous coils are made from one long wire to be able to form a continuous support system for the bed. These coils are also made into an S-shape instead of coiling the metal.
Bonnell
These coils are one of the most frequently used types of coils and were also the first ones to be invented. As compared to continuous coils, they feature an hourglass shape and are popular mainly due to their low price point.
Offset
They have a similar hourglass shape as the Bonnell coils, but they are more conforming, given their flattened edges in the top and bottom. The flat edges produce a hinging effect that allows the mattress to conform to your body’s unique shape.
Offset coils are also commonly used because they are quite durable, supportive, sturdy, and they produce very little noise.
Marshall Or Pocket Coil
Also referred to as encased or wrapped coils, these coils aren’t wired together and feature a barrel-shaped design. These are known to minimize motion transfer, provide a higher focus, and hold a great reputation for bounciness.
Pros and Cons of Innerspring Mattress
Firmness
Innerspring mattresses are more towards the firmer end with a variety of firmness options. The core of this mattress is more rigid, and they don’t have the top foam that is found in many other types of mattresses for seniors.
It’s an option for those who want a high level of support and prefer sleeping on a mattress that has a firm feeling to it.
Lifespan
A well-made, good-quality innerspring mattress can easily last up to 10 to 15 years, given that it contains multiple coils and a super solid core that provides constant and even support.
There are times when the foundation and upholstery layers wear out before the coils as they aren’t made of metal, but if the core is strong and stable enough, the mattress will last you a really long time.
Cost / Price Range
The cost of an innerspring mattress varies from one model to the other. The price range starts from $200, which is on the lower end of the market and can go up to $500 for state-of-the-art and top-quality spring systems.
There are even more expensive variants of the mattress in well-known brands featuring the best coil systems that can cost from $1000 to $1500.
Memory Foam Mattress
From relieving pressure to eliminating joint pain, memory foam mattresses provide multiple benefits to the elderly, which is why it is one of the best types of mattresses for seniors.
This mattress is an excellent choice for side sleepers and those seniors looking for increased support and comfort.
As the name suggests, it is made of memory foam, a soft foam material that holds a great reputation for being pressure-relieving. It features a layer of this foam along with springs to provide support to your body.
One of the most unique features of memory foam mattresses is that they use your body heat to conform to your body, soften and mold according to your shape. When pressure is removed, the memory foam bounces back to its original shape very slowly and gradually, but will remember your body shape as well as your sleeping position over time. This is primarily why it is called ‘memory’ foam.
Types of Memory Foam
Just like how innerspring mattresses contain a variety of types of coils, memory foam mattresses also comprise of different types of foam.
There are mainly three types of memory foam that you will find in these mattresses:
- 1Traditional
This is the basic type of memory foam that is more commonly used in mattresses. It provides an overall decent sleeping experience and molds to the body really well. However, there’s one major downside to traditional memory foam, which is that it tends to retain body heat, which can make it quite uncomfortable for people to sleep in high temperatures.
- 2Open Cell
This has a different internal structure than the traditional memory foam and allows air to move inside the mattress in a better manner. This way, the heat transfers away from your body when you are sleeping, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
- 3Gel-Infused
This type of memory foam is fully infused with gel that contains gel microbeads, which helps increase the density of your mattress. It comes in two different varieties. One type of gel memory foam only absorbs heat and works in a similar fashion as an ice pack that you keep in the freezer. The second type is quite unique as it features a ‘phase-changing material,’ which helps regulate the temperature of your body by absorbing and releasing heat while you sleep.
Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Mattress
Firmness
Memory foam mattresses are generally very firm and become quite supple over time with your body heat. They do offer different firmness levels and range from soft, marshmallow-like to extremely firm.
The firmness level basically depends on the type of memory foam it uses as well as the foundation of the mattress.
Lifespan
Memory foam mattresses can easily last up to ten good years, but with the right amount of care, they can last for even 15 years or more.
Cost / Price Range
This mattress typically costs between $600 and $1200. The average price for a Queen memory foam bed is $900.
The main reason why it’s towards a pricier end is that memory foam mattresses undergo serious and high-quality control standards, which means they are also void of harsh chemicals and other dangerous products.
Latex Mattress
Made of latex foam, latex mattresses are one of the most natural types of mattresses for seniors, considering the fact that latex comes from the sap of a rubber tree in its most natural form.
These mattresses aren’t just made of a natural resource but also provide great durability and affordability.
Some varieties of latex mattresses are also made of man-made synthetic latex that comprises of some chemical ingredients.
Latex is quite similar to memory foam in terms of pressure-relieving and body-adapting abilities but not as efficient as memory foam. For seniors that prefer more bounciness and a mattress that retains less heat, a latex mattress is a great option.
Types of Latex Mattress
There are two different types of latex mattresses that basically result from two different ways in which it is manufactured.
- 1Dunlop
In this latex manufacturing process, a thick sap is extracted from trees, whipped up nicely, and then poured into the mold in a single go. This results in a bed that is super dense at the bottom and soft on the top.
- 2Talalay
This process involves two extra steps where once the mold is filled, a vacuum is used to suck all the air out. The mold is then frozen to provide stability to the entire structure. The removal of air increases breathability in the mattress, and the freezing action allows sleepers to enjoy sleeping on the mattress and enhances their ability to sleep cooler.
Pros and Cons of Latex Mattresses
Firmness
Like many other types of mattresses, latex mattress also offers varying levels of firmness in order to meet the needs of the sleeper.
Some of them are firm to the point that only those people can use them who are back sleepers and want a really hard, firm surface to sleep on. You will also find soft latex mattresses that are ideal for side and back sleepers who want to be able to sink into their mattress.
Lifespan
The overall lifespan of a good quality latex mattress ranges from 12 to 20 years if you take really good care of it. This is way longer than your average mattress that many people use still use in today’s time.
Cost / Price Range
The cost of these mattresses depends on what size and brand you get. A kind sized latex bed, for instance, can range between $1350 - $6000 and above. Whereas twin size mattresses start from $700 on average and go up to $3400.
Pillow Top Mattress
This is one of the most amazing types of mattresses for seniors who are looking for more support than what latex or memory foam mattresses provide.
Pillow top mattress isn’t very different from other types of mattresses and is quite similar to a coil or an innerspring mattress. One of its unique and most distinguishing features is that it has an extra layer of padding that rounds up to almost a few inches thick when you place it on your bed, which provides additional comfort and support.
The surface layer or the padding, in most cases, is a super soft material that provides a soft, cloud-like feel to the mattress surface.
This type of mattress generally comprises spring support systems that are placed right in the middle of the mattress.
Types of Pillow Top Mattress
You will find mainly two types of pillow top mattresses with slight variations in their construction.
Regular Pillow Top
This is your basic pillow top mattress in which the padding is sewn on the top of the mattress, featuring a noticeable gap that you can see right above the comfort layer. All this does is it creates an impression that there’s extra padding in the mattress.
Euro Pillow Top
The difference in the euro pillow top mattress is that an additional layer of padding is sewn underneath the mattress cover that gives it a very uniform and a flushed look. This one doesn’t have a gap like the regular pillow top, which, in turn, provides better and increased edge support.
Another key feature of this variety is its layers are often made of fiberfill or foam, which helps make it appear denser and thicker in comparison with the regular pillow top.
Pros and Cons of Pillow Top Mattresses
Firmness
Pillow top mattresses are known to be super soft and plush. That layer of cushioning materials provides an added touch of luxury as soon as you lie down, so for anyone looking for a mattress with distinct firmness levels, this might not be such a great option for them.
Lifespan
While this majorly depends on how you use the mattress and how well you look after it, the average lifespan of a top pillow mattress lies between 5 to 8 years. This is very less as compared to the other types of mattresses for seniors mentioned above. The decreased durability is mainly because the plush pillow top can become lumpy over time.
Cost / Price Range
The cost of pillow top mattresses varies according to the material, size, and brand, but for an idea, a king-sized mattress is likely to be under $1000. However, if you opt for a higher-end brand, the price ranges from $1400 and above.
The Importance of Finding the Right Mattress
There are a plethora of different types of mattresses for seniors, but not every mattress is necessarily going to work for every adult individual.
Some might like sleeping on a memory foam mattress, while others probably find innerspring mattresses more comfortable and useful for their sleep-related issues.
Sleeping on the wrong mattress will cause you a lot of harm, and one can’t emphasize enough on the importance of finding the right mattress.
Quality Sleep
Needless to say, the right mattress will provide you quality and a good night’s sleep so that you wake up feeling fresh and energetic the next day.
As you age, you obviously have to deal with many sleep-related issues, including insomnia, and many seniors experience sleepless nights.
The right mattress has the ability to help you sleep and can also prevent fidgeting in the night.
Prevents Aches and Pains
There are so many types of mattresses that are designed with an aim to help seniors with their body aches and pains. For instance, memory foam and latex mattresses offer a great amount of support to your body not only so that you can sleep better at night but also that you wake up the next morning without feeling any pain or tiredness in your body.
Spine Alignment
Seniors and older adults often deal with back pain problems and other spine-related issues. The right mattress provides proper spine alignment, and over time, can even help remove all your back-related health problems.
Furthermore, numerous mattresses cater to specific kinds of sleepers, such as side sleepers, back sleepers, etc. So, it’s best if you sleep on a mattress that caters to your sleeping position and style.
Choose the Right Mattress For Improved Sleep and A Better Tomorrow
It all comes down to asking the right questions and focusing on the correct factors when buying a mattress for seniors.
Things like your sleeping position, the weight of the mattress, firmness of the mattress, mattress material, type of mattress, and its lifespan, to name a few, matter a great deal. It’s important that you consider all these vital factors and points when choosing a mattress because, at the end of the day, sleeping on the right mattress is all about improving your sleep and paving the way for a better tomorrow!
References :
Pros and Cons of the 5 Leading Mattress Types on the Market
Innerspring Mattress Guide: Pros, Cons & Pricing
What are the Benefits of an Innerspring Mattress?
What’s The Best Type of Mattress in 2020? The Different Kinds Explained
15 Mattress Types on the Market - Pros, Cons And Comparisons
What is Memory Foam - A Look at The Pros and Cons
5 Best Mattress For Seniors (2020)
Why Is Memory Foam So Expensive?
THE PROS AND CONS OF LATEX MATTRESSES
Latex Mattress Reviews: Advantages vs Disadvantages
Memory Foam vs. Pillow Top Mattress: What’s the Best?
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