Written by Heather Collins, MSN, RN, CNOR
Many older adults live with longstanding health conditions, and as many as 85 percent of the elderly live with chronic pain. Adjustable beds that allow the user to raise and lower the bed in sections for personalized support and comfort can help alleviate discomfort while in bed.
Activities from eating to watching television to just relaxing are all more comfortable in an adjustable bed, but these beds really shine when it comes to getting quality sleep. Restful sleep improves mood, brain performance, and overall health, while not getting enough quality sleep raises the risk of cardiac issues, strokes, obesity, and dementia. When you’re asleep, your body recovers and your brain recharges, preparing to be as sharp as possible while awake. Without quality sleep, you just can’t function at your best, and adjustable beds are a great tool to help elderly users get the benefits of comfortable, restful sleep.
A common problem for people with back, neck, or shoulder pain is difficulty getting comfortable enough to sleep in a conventional bed. From propping pillows to tossing and turning, addressing bone, muscle, and joint pain while in a conventional bed can severely interfere with getting your body the sleep it needs. While dealing with an injury or a chronic condition like arthritis, resting the upper body at a slight incline of 30 to 45 degrees with support under slightly bent knees can take pressure off pain points. This reduces pain, creates a more comfortable sleep space, and promotes better rest.
If mobility is an issue, an adjustable bed - especially one with height adjustability - allows for easier independent transitions in and out of bed. Rather than relying on a caregiver to ensure safe bed transfers, a user can position an adjustable bed with a push of a button to get in and out of bed without assistance.
An adjustable bed does more than just alleviate aches and pains. Raising your head helps improve digestion, while raising your legs can improve circulation and help combat Restless Leg Syndrome. The myriad of available positions helps you find the most comfortable settings for you to ward off sleeplessness and get the rest you need.
When you lay down flat to sleep, acid can travel from your stomach up your esophagus into your throat. This can cause coughing and discomfort and generally make it difficult to fall asleep. If your upper torso is elevated when you’re in bed, gravity makes it more difficult for the acid to travel upward, minimizing the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
Edema is swelling caused by the accumulation of fluids in the circulatory system or soft tissue. It’s common for the legs to be affected, and this swelling can be very uncomfortable. One way to reduce swelling in the legs is to elevate them above the heart, which helps the extra fluids move back toward the heart. Sleeping in this foot-elevated position allows excess fluid to enter the circulatory system, where it is then circulated to the rest of the body.
 | Adjustable Lift Bed with Sleep-to-Stand Feature | Envyy EZ by Platinum Health View Product |
Balance issues, loss of muscle mass, and blood pressure that drops when rising from a sitting or lying position are all risk factors for the elderly that can lead to falls. And if you’re not well-rested, you’re also more likely to fall. This adjustable bed, which is also a lift chair, lowers the risk of a bed fall. It makes it extremely easy to independently move between flat, seated, and standing positions without the help of a caregiver, which supports continued personal independence.
It has user-friendly controls along with robust handrails that are dual-padded for support and additional safety. It can accommodate users weighing up to 500 pounds and comes in two lengths to fit any body frame. It works with any foam mattress but comes with an optional multi-layer foam mattress designed specifically for this frame, which can also be purchased with a waterproof mattress protector.
 | Electric Adjustable Bed - Hi-Lo SL by Flex-A-Bed View Product |
The height adjustability range for this super low height Hi-Low bed ensures an easy bed entry and exit. With a standard height of just over 13 inches from the floor, the bed can be raised with the hand control to 20.75 inches. It can be vertically raised and lowered with the one-touch remote, making it a great choice for people who need help getting in and out of bed. The head and foot sections can be easily adjusted to position this bed in the most comfortable sleeping position, while the low height greatly reduces the risk of a high bed fall. The low minimum height also reduces pressure on the knees when standing and makes wheelchair transfers easier.
This adjustable bed comes in a variety of sizes and can be paired with another Flex-A-Bed to accommodate a partner. It can accommodate individual users weighing up to 400 pounds, with a dual weight limit of 700 pounds. Mattress choices include twin, full, queen, and dual king; 74-, 80-, and 84-inch lengths; soft, medium, or firm; and innerspring, memory foam, latex, or a combination innerspring/memory foam. This adjustable bed has a super quiet motor with optional massage, a heavy-duty base that won’t warp, break, or squeak, and locking casters for easy relocation. Users have a choice of a wireless or wired controller, and it comes with a five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
The ultra-thin power adjustable bed frame delivers a head section incline of up to 65 degrees and a foot section adjustment range of up to 35 degrees to ensure the perfect position to address digestion, circulation, or body aches and pain. This twin XL model doesn’t take up much space, but you can view all GlideAway products to see this bed’s features in a variety of sizes.
Its wireless remote has two pre-programmed settings, one for a traditional bed setup so making the bed and getting in and out of it is easy, and the second is for a user-defined favorite position. Three mattresses will work with this sturdy steel adjustable bed frame, including a firm 8-inch thick mattress, a medium/firm 10-inch thick mattress, and a plush 12-inch soft mattress.
Adjustable beds are a great choice for elderly users who are dealing with insomnia, back and neck pain, arthritis, sleep apnea, asthma, acid reflux, snoring, balance issues, muscle weakness, Restless Leg Syndrome, or any condition that can be managed better with more comfortable sleep.
Visit Caregiver University for more articles, product reviews, and buyer’s guides to help you make informed choices when shopping for products to make life safer, healthier, and more comfortable.
Heather Collins, MSN, RN, CNOR
Heather is a registered nurse and freelance health writer with a Master's degree and over 24 years of nursing and leadership experience. Heather cares for patients of all ages in various healthcare settings, including inpatient acute care nursing, GI procedural nursing, cardiac lab, infertility clinics, pediatrics, and surgical services. Heather is dedicated to providing high-quality care and sharing reliable, evidence-based information that empowers people to make informed decisions about their and their loved ones' health.
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