The Best Mattresses For Overweight Seniors: Balancing Support and Comfort

If you are a larger adult looking for a new mattress, you may find yourself a bit confused. The problem is a firmer mattress is recommended for heavier individuals to provide them with greater support, while a less firm mattress is recommended for seniors for greater comfort.

Finding the ideal balance can be a bit of a challenge.

In addition, you need to take into account other factors and features of mattresses that make them more suitable for overweight seniors, as well as the individual preference of the senior in question.

So, I put together this guide to help you balance your support needs with your comfort needs. First, I’ll show some examples of my favorite mattresses for overweight seniors. Then, I’ll discuss the types of mattresses and important mattress features you should look for while shopping.

Recommended Mattresses for Heavy or Overweight Seniors

Here are my recommended mattresses for seniors who are on the heavier side of life:

Most larger people complain of being hot and sweaty most of the time – especially when they sleep. I recommend the Nolah Evolution mattress for people like this because everything about it is designed to keep you cool when you sleep. And, it works too! The folks at Nolah sent me an Evolution mattress to try for myself and it virtually eliminated the sweating I had in my old Ikea mattress.

Nolah constructs this mattress with 9 different layers to offer the ultimate comfort and support for the heavier, mature body. The top 4 layers are all about providing cooling by drawing heat away from the body, allowing it to escape and a cover that feels cool to the touch. The middle layers are all about comfort and pressure relief. While the bottom layers provide the support that heavier people will need.

Another way that Nolah sets their product apart in this category of mattress is that you can choose your level of firmness from Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. Regardless of which firmness level you choose, you still get the cooling benefits.

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GhostBed’s Flex Hybrid Mattress is easily one of my favorite mattresses for larger seniors. Heavier people often complain about being able to get in and out of bed easily. GhostBed addresses this problem specifically with their Spirited Edge™ support design which uses two rows of specially reinforced coils along the edge that are supportive enough to let heavy people sit on the side of the bed comfortably.

Another feature that bigger seniors will appreciate in this mattress includes the 7-layer construction that includes individually wrapped and reinforced coils that support you while also making you feel weightless. All of this is covered with cooling gel memory foam and a quilted cooling cover for reducing your temperature for a much more comfortable sleep.

The Ghostbed Flex Mattress is a great choice for older adults who want comfort and support without that “sinking in” feeling. You get the perfect combination of supportive coils throughout the entire mattress plus the cooling comfort of the gel-infused memory foam.

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The top 3 layers of the Layla Hybrid Mattress are all about cooling and comfort. The cover is super-soft, breathable and removable for easy cleaning. A copper-gel memory foam layer ensures heat transfer and rapid cooling as well as variable support for pressure relief. The 3rd layer maximizes airflow, channeling hot air away from the body while providing customized, zoned support.

Individually wrapped pocket coils offer additional support and are designed to prevent dipping and sagging. Superior edge support also helps prevent the edges of the mattress giving way which helps void falls when getting in and out of bed.

There are 2 things I especially love about this one. First, this mattress comes with a “soft” side and a “firm” side. Just give the mattress a flip to change the firmness level should you ever need to. There are even sturdy handles built into the side to make this as easy as possible for older adults.

Second, if sweating and odor are a concern, this mattress offers some odor protection features too in addition to the cooling features discussed above. The cover is removable and washable for ease of cleaning. Plus, the memory foam layers is treated with copper which has proven anti-microbial benefits for reducing odor.

This mattress is sleek and sexy and is ideal for offering a better night’s sleep for the bigger body.

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The Big Fig is specifically designed to meet the needs of “bigger figures”. The hybrid design consists of coils for support and different foam and gel layers to offer comfort and cooling. The top layer of Thermogel decreases body temperature for a cooler sleep experience. Perforated latex foam ensures good air circulation to draw heat away from the body.

Three Layers of high-density polyfoam offer cushioning, support and will prevent sagging. The individually wrapped coil system offers 50% more support than a regular mattress. Plus, the sides of this mattress are covered with high-density foam to offer greater edge support. The Big Fig offers a 120-day trial period free of risk.

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This mattress is specifically designed for plus-size sleepers and is available exclusively online from Brooklyn Bedding. A layer of quilted memory foam provides a comfortable and cooling sleeping surface that resists forming sleeping impressions.

The next layer of flexible foam offers targeted pressure relief as well as responsive contouring to allow the mattress to mold to your body shape. Individually wrapped coils ensure the support that you need as well motion isolation for the senior who isn’t sleeping alone.

A base consisting of high-density foam offers additional support and durability to the mattress. There is also the option of adding an extra cooling top layer for hot sleepers. The Titan comes with a 120 day risk-free trial.

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This seems to be the go-to mattress for heavier sleepers of all ages. Not only does the mattress provide additional support for plus-size individuals but also adds extra length for those who are on the taller side. A high-density foam layer ensures maximum support for heavier individuals no matter what sleeping position they prefer.

The top layer of the mattress is medium-firm for greater comfort and allows contouring to shape your body. The cover maximizes airflow for a cooler night’s rest. The hundreds of individually pocketed coils are taller than regular beds to provide additional support while cradling the heavy sleeper.

The perimeter of the mattress is wrapped to offer better edge support and improve its durability of the mattress. The Helix Plus offers a 100-night risk-free trial.

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The top 3 layers of this hybrid mattress consist of 3 different types of foam to ensure both comfort and support. The interlocking coil system offers greater support than traditional coil mattresses.

The top of the mattress is covered in a cooling fabric that is ideal for the hot sleeper as well as pressure relief specifically aimed at the hip area. Plus, extra dense foam is wrapped around the edges to provide support while getting in and out and to keep the mattress from sagging.

This is a great mattress for the heavier side-sleeper but ticks most of the boxes for both basic and individual features. The mattress does come with a 100-night risk-free trial period.

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This heavy duty mattress is specifically designed with heavier bodies in mind. The steel spring coils offer the support that is required for a heavier body and ensure that the mattress won’t sag. The cushioned layer provides the ultimate in comfort and is designed to protect the spine and specifically the lumbar (lower) region of the back.

The addition of natural latex relieves pressure on the body and the joints. As a bonus, Saatva have layered 100% breathable cotton for a cooler night’s sleep. This mattress ticks just about all the boxes to meet both the basic and individual needs of larger seniors.

Saatva also offers a heavy duty frame that is specially deigned to work with this mattress and provide safe support for larger adults.

RELATED: Best Bedding for Seniors & the Elderly

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What To Look For In A Mattress For An Overweight Senior

I have found that some or all of the following features should be present when choosing a mattress for an heavy elderly person.

First, you want to take into account the basic features of the mattress which include:

• Size. A heavier individual may prefer a larger bed surface to feel secure and comfortable. Single bed mattresses are not the ideal choice for heavier seniors and it is best to opt for a full or larger.
• Firmness. In general, a mattress that is medium-firm to firm is the recommended choice for the overweight individual.
• Cushioning. This refers to the softness and comfort that the mattress offers. Generally, the best mattresses for seniors provide greater cushioning for comfort and to relieve pressure. It is possible to find a mattress that combines firmness with comfort for an overweight senior.
• Edge support. A stronger edge is essential to maintain the structure of the mattress as well as provide support when sitting on the edge of the bed and getting in and out of bed for seniors who are overweight.
• Cooling Features. Most heavier people report that they feel hot most of the time and sweat more than most – especially at night when under covers. Choose a mattress that has built-in cooling features that promote air flow and pull heat away from hot sleepers.
• Durability. One of the biggest problems for bigger sleepers is a mattress that sags or dips resulting in discomfort and pressure in all the wrong places. A mattress that is designed to keep its shape for longer and has a longer-lifespan is the ideal choice for the plus-size senior.

RELATED: Best Pillows for Seniors & the Elderly

Other Considerations

Once you have considered the basic features, you need to consider any personal factors that may affect the individual including:

Medical and Mobility Concerns:

• Are there any medical or health conditions that affect the senior? For example, a senior with arthritis may want greater comfort from their mattress.
• Does the senior struggle to get in and out of bed? If so, then a firmer mattress that provides greater support is a better option. A firm edge can also be beneficial.
• Does the senior suffer from hip, back, shoulder or neck pain? An orthopedic mattress may be the best option.
• Does the senior get hot and clammy at night? Overweight individuals are often hot sleepers and a mattress with cooling features will ensure a cooler and more comfortable night’s rest.

If possible, it is advisable to try out as many mattresses as possible to find your Goldilocks moment – not too hard, not too soft … just right!

Choosing the Right Base

Keep in mind that choosing the right base for the mattress will also help ensure better support and durability for an overweight senior. When selecting a base, it is recommended to choose one that is also designed for heavier sleepers. Remember to take into account other factors that are important when choosing a bed for a bigger, mature body.

RELATED: Best Adjustable Beds for Seniors & the Elderly

Getting the Right Bed Height

Bed height is a very important factor. A bed that is too high or too low is more difficult to get in and out of and increases the risk of falls. Avoiding falls for seniors is crucial and even more important if they are carrying extra weight. A fall is far more likely to result in a serious injury that has long-term consequences for the elderly. This risk is increased for an overweight or heavier senior.

Also keep in mind that additional support from a firmer mattress doesn’t have to mean foregoing comfort. The addition of a mattress topper or pad can provide greater softness for better comfort as well as offer cooling benefits for hot sleepers.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-mattress-for-seniors#what-to-look-for
• https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress/best-mattress-for-heavy-sleepers
• https://www.mattressclarity.com/reviews/best-mattress-heavy-people/