Buying a Bed for an Elderly Parent: Height, Support and Adjustable Beds

By the Cambridge Beds & Furniture team, 199 Thames Street, Morrinsville. Updated September 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your parent has a health condition or mobility issue, talk to their GP, physiotherapist or occupational therapist about their specific needs.

The best bed for an elderly parent is one they can get in and out of safely on their own. In practice that means a bed at the right height (usually when they sit on the edge, their feet rest flat on the floor with knees at about a right angle), a mattress with a firm, supportive edge, and a clear, well-lit path to the bathroom. For parents who spend time sitting up in bed, or find lying flat uncomfortable, an electric adjustable bed can make a real difference. This guide covers what to check, which sizes suit, and how to test options with your parent at our Morrinsville showroom.

What should I look for in a bed for an elderly parent?

Focus on five things, in this order:

• Height: easy to sit down on and stand up from.
• Edge support: the side of the mattress shouldn't collapse when they sit on it.
• Mattress feel: supportive enough to move around on, comfortable enough to sleep well.
• Size: wide enough to turn over, not so big it's hard to make or reach across.
• Surroundings: bedside table, lighting, and a clear path.

Style and colour come last. A beautiful bed that's too low will cause daily problems.

What height should a bed be for an elderly person?

There isn't one perfect number, because it depends on your parent's height and leg length. A practical test works better than a measurement:

1. Have them sit on the edge of the bed.
2. Their feet should rest flat on the floor.
3. Their knees should be at roughly a right angle, or slightly lower than their hips.
4. They should be able to stand up without rocking forward several times or pushing hard with their arms.

If the bed is too low, standing up is hard work on the knees and hips. If it's too high, their feet dangle and they may slide off the edge when getting in. Bed height is the combination of the base or frame plus the mattress thickness, so a thick pillowtop mattress on a tall base can end up too high.

An occupational therapist can measure the ideal height for your parent specifically. It's worth asking if mobility is a concern.

What type of mattress is best for elderly people?

Most older people do best on a mattress that is supportive but not hard. As a general guide:

• Medium to medium-firm suits many older sleepers. Shop our medium-firm mattresses for enough support to roll over and get up, without pressure on hips and shoulders.
• Very soft mattresses can make it harder to turn over or get out of bed, because you sink in.
• Very firm mattresses can feel uncomfortable on sore joints, especially for side sleepers.
• Good edge support matters more than most people realise. Your parent will sit on the edge twice a day or more.

Our range is labelled by feel, so you can compare, for example, the Dreamland Lincoln Medium and Lincoln Firm, or Spine Serene Medium and Spine Serene Firm, side by side. See the full range in our beds and mattresses collection.

If your parent has arthritis or ongoing joint pain, their health professional is the best person to advise on support needs. Then bring them in to try options in their usual sleeping position.

Is an adjustable bed good for elderly people?

For many older people, yes. An adjustable bed is a base with electric motors that lift the head and foot sections by remote control. It can help if your parent:

• Spends time sitting up in bed to read, watch TV or eat
• Finds it uncomfortable to lie completely flat
• Likes to raise their legs
• Struggles to sit up from lying down

Raising the head section before getting up means they start from a partly seated position, which can make getting out of bed easier.

At our showroom we carry electric adjustable beds including the E-Flex Adjustable Bed and the Flexi Comfort frame. Both use two motors, one for the head and one for the feet, controlled by a remote. The E-Flex also has height-adjustable feet, which helps you get the bed height right, and its motors and remote are made in Germany. Because models and sizes change, call us on 027 823 4445 for current availability and prices.

Some people need a hospital-style bed with features such as rails and height lifting for carers. That's a different product from a home adjustable bed. If your parent may need that level of support, ask their health professional first.

Do adjustable beds need a special mattress?

Usually, yes. The mattress has to bend with the base without being damaged. Mattresses designed for adjustable beds, such as the I-Flex 3 (a hybrid of natural latex and gel memory foam, about 30 cm thick) and the E-Comfort Wave, are made for this. We also sell the E-Flex long single with an I-Flex 3 mattress as a combo. If you want to reuse your parent's current mattress, bring the details in and we'll tell you if it's suitable.

What size bed is best for an elderly parent?

Size	Dimensions	Good for
King single	105 x 202 cm	One person in a smaller room, easy to make and reach across
Double	139 x 191 cm	One person who likes more room to turn
Queen	152 x 202 cm	Couples, or one person in a larger room
Long single (adjustable)	Check model	Adjustable bed combos such as the E-Flex long single

For a parent sleeping alone, a king single or double is often ideal. It's wide enough to turn over, but narrow enough that they can reach the bedside table, and easy for them or a carer to make. For couples where one partner needs different support, two adjustable singles side by side can work well. Not sure which fits the room? Check our bed size guide or ask us about the options.

Bed base or bed frame: which is easier for older people?

Both work, but a few details matter:

• A plain bed base has no frame edge to bump shins on, and makes it easy to get the height right with the mattress.
• A bed frame can look more finished, but check the side rails don't stick out past the mattress, where they can catch legs when getting up.
• Storage beds with drawers are handy, but low drawers mean bending down. For some older people, a tallboy at waist height is easier to use.
• A headboard gives something to lean on when sitting up. Padded upholstered headboards are more comfortable than timber. See our upholstered headboards.

Should older couples have separate beds?

It's more common than people think, and it can help both partners sleep better. As we age, sleep patterns often change. One partner may get up more at night, need a different mattress feel, or want to sit up while the other sleeps flat. Options include:

• Two king singles pushed together, each with its own mattress feel.
• Two adjustable singles side by side, so each person controls their own position.
• A larger bed, such as a king or super king, so movement is less noticeable.

Come in together and try a few combinations. It's a practical decision, and plenty of couples find it improves their sleep.

Signs your parent's current bed is causing problems

• They struggle to stand up in the morning, or rock several times to get up
• They sleep in a recliner chair instead of bed
• The mattress has a visible dip where they lie
• They mention waking stiff or sore more than usual
• The edge collapses when they sit on it
• They've slipped getting in or out

Any of these is worth a conversation, and some are worth raising with their GP as well.

Keeping older sleepers warm in a Waikato winter

Older people often feel the cold more at night. Rather than piling on heavy blankets, which can make it harder to turn over, try:

• A lighter, warmer duvet and bedding with layers they can add or remove
• Flannelette sheets in winter
• A heated bedroom rather than a hot bed, following safe heating advice
• Keeping the bed away from cold, damp outside walls where possible

If they use an electric blanket, check it's in good condition and follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially on an adjustable bed.

How do I make the bedroom safer?

The bed is only part of it. Falls often happen on the way to or from the bathroom at night. Simple changes help:

• Lighting: a lamp they can reach from bed, and a night light or sensor light on the path to the bathroom.
• Clear floor: no loose rugs, cords or clutter between the bed and the door.
• Bedside table at the right height: level with, or slightly above, the top of the mattress, so they don't have to twist or lean. See our bedside tables, such as the Amora 2 drawer bedside.
• Space around the bed: leave room on the getting-out side for a walking frame if they use one.
• A sturdy chair: for sitting to dress. A firm, higher armchair with solid arms is easier to get out of. See our armchairs.
• A phone within reach at night.

What pillow is best for an older person?

A pillow that keeps the head and neck in line helps comfort and reduces morning stiffness. If your parent is unsure what suits them, the Adapta Adjustable Pillow has removable foam inserts so you can change the height. Side sleepers usually need a higher pillow, and back sleepers a medium one. In an adjustable bed, some people find they need a lower pillow because the base already raises their head. Browse our bedding range for more options.

Should my parent get a new bed if they're moving in with us?

Often, yes. An old bed that has been fine in their own home may be too low, too soft or worn out. Moving house is a natural time to reset. If you're setting up a multi-generational home, our guide to furniture for a multi-generational household covers shared living spaces too. If they're moving into a granny flat or sleepout, tell us the room size and we'll help you choose a bed that fits.

Signs the current mattress needs replacing include sagging, lumps, visible dips, and waking up stiff or sore.

How do I help my parent choose without it feeling like a chore?

Older people are sometimes reluctant to replace a bed they've had for years. A few approaches help:

• Bring them to the showroom rather than choosing for them. They're the one sleeping on it.
• Go at a quiet time, such as a weekday morning, so there's no rush.
• Let them lie on two or three options for several minutes each, in the position they normally sleep.
• Test getting up, not just lying down. Have them sit on the edge and stand, as they would in the morning.
• With adjustable beds, let them use the remote themselves to check they're comfortable with it.

Our showroom is at 199 Thames Street, Morrinsville. Call ahead on 027 823 4445 and let us know you're coming with a parent, and we'll check the models you want to try are on the floor.

What does a new bed for a parent cost?

It depends on size and features. As a guide from our current range:

• Mattress and base sets: king single from $549, double from $649, queen from $699. Mid-range sets for everyday comfort mostly sit between $1,000 and $2,200 in queen. Shop beds and mattress sets.
• Adjustable beds: call us for current models and prices, as the range changes.
• Extras: pillows from $71, bedside tables from $269, armchairs from $499.

Prices can change with promotions, so check the product pages or our sale collection.

Can we pay off a bed for a parent?

Yes. We accept Afterpay, GEM Visa, Finance Now and Q Mastercard, and families often share the cost this way. See our finance options. If your parent receives support from Work and Income, we can prepare a WINZ quote for a bed or mattress. Whether funding is available is up to Work and Income, so check with them directly.

Will you deliver and take the old bed away?

We deliver across New Zealand from Morrinsville, with charges based on location and item size, and assembly is available. We can also remove the old bed or mattress, which saves a job for families. See delivery and assembly and old bed removal.

What if the mattress doesn't feel right after a few weeks?

New mattresses come with our 60-Night Comfort Guarantee, which lets you exchange the mattress if the feel isn't right. The page explains the terms. Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act also apply.

What should we bring to the showroom?

A little preparation makes the visit quicker and less tiring for your parent:

• Measurements of the bedroom, including where the door, window and wardrobe are.
• The height of their current bed from floor to top of mattress, and whether it feels too high or too low.
• Their usual pillow, so they can test mattresses with the pillow they know.
• Any advice from their OT or physio, such as a recommended bed height or feel.
• A list of what bothers them now, for example "hard to get up", "wakes with a sore hip", "too hot at night".

Questions to ask us in store

• What is the total height of this bed with this mattress on this base?
• How firm is the mattress edge when you sit on it?
• Does this mattress work on an adjustable base?
• Which adjustable models do you have right now, and in what sizes?
• Can the old bed be taken away on delivery day?
• How does the 60-Night Comfort Guarantee work if the feel isn't right?
• Can you prepare a WINZ quote?

We'd rather answer these before you buy than have your parent put up with a bed that doesn't suit them.

Checklist: choosing a bed for Mum or Dad

• Feet flat on the floor and knees at about a right angle when sitting on the edge
• Firm mattress edge that doesn't collapse
• Medium to medium-firm feel they find comfortable
• Size they can turn over in and reach across
• Adjustable base considered if they sit up in bed or find lying flat hard
• Bedside table at mattress height, with a lamp and phone
• Night light and clear path to the bathroom
• Pillow height that suits their sleeping position
• Advice from their GP, physio or OT if mobility is a concern

The short version

If you only remember three things: get the height right so standing up is easy, choose a mattress with a firm edge and a medium to medium-firm feel, and make the path to the bathroom safe at night. If your parent spends time sitting up in bed or finds lying flat uncomfortable, try an adjustable bed as well. Above all, let them test the options themselves. A bed that suits them is one they'll actually sleep well in, and that tends to make everything else in the day a bit easier.

Try beds with your parent in Morrinsville

We're at 199 Thames Street, Morrinsville 3300, open seven days: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Morrinsville is about 30 minutes from Hamilton and around 20 minutes from Te Aroha, and an easy drive from Matamata and Cambridge. Despite our name, the showroom is in Morrinsville, not Cambridge.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best bed height for an elderly person?

When sitting on the edge, their feet should rest flat on the floor with knees at about a right angle. An occupational therapist can measure the ideal height for a specific person.

What mattress is best for elderly people?

Many older people do well on a medium to medium-firm mattress with good edge support. Very soft mattresses can make it harder to turn over and get up.

Are adjustable beds good for seniors?

They can be. Raising the head section helps people who sit up in bed or find lying flat uncomfortable, and makes it easier to start from a partly seated position when getting up.

Do adjustable beds need a special mattress?

Usually. The mattress must flex with the base. Mattresses such as the I-Flex 3 and E-Comfort Wave are designed for adjustable beds.

What size bed is best for an older person living alone?

A king single (105 x 202 cm) or double (139 x 191 cm) is often ideal. It's wide enough to turn over but easy to make and to reach the bedside table.

Can I get a WINZ quote for a bed for my parent?

Yes. Cambridge Beds & Furniture prepares WINZ quotes for beds and mattresses. Work and Income decides whether funding is available.

Where can I try adjustable beds near Hamilton?

At Cambridge Beds & Furniture, 199 Thames Street, Morrinsville 3300, about 30 minutes from Hamilton. Call 027 823 4445 to check which models are on the floor.

Ready to find the right bed? Call 027 823 4445, visit us in Morrinsville, or browse adjustable beds near Hamilton and the Waikato and beds and mattresses online.

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