You sit down on the edge of your bed and your feet dangle, or you sink so low that standing back up is a struggle. That is usually a sign the bed height is off.

This article explains the best bed height for the elderly, with simple guidelines you can check yourself.

It also covers the signs a bed is too high or too low, the pros and cons of each, how to raise or lower the bed you have, and toppers and risers that can help.

• A bed that is too high or too low can make a fall more likely. A bed that is too low tends to cause more trouble than one that is too high.

What is the Best Bed Height for the Elderly?

Currently, The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, recommend a bed height of between 20 and 23 inches from the top of the mattress to the floor. However, this recommendation is based primarily on making it easier to getting in and out of bed from a wheelchair and not necessarily what is best for a specific elderly person.

Since not everyone uses a wheelchair, a more important factor is the height of the person using the bed. People are different heights, and the ideal height of the bed should be tailored to their specific needs.

Ideally, the person should be able to ease themselves into a sitting position with both feet planted firmly on the floor and without needing to strain or use their hands for support.

High Beds

It’s often that you hear that higher beds are recommended for the elderly because it is believed that they are easier to access. While it may be easier to get out of the bed, high beds make it more to get into the bed.

Signs That Your Bed Is Too High

• A bed is too high if the thighs or buttocks are pressing against the top of the mattress when leaning against it.
• The senior needs to rise up on their toes or use their hands to push themselves up onto the bed.
• The feet aren’t placed flat and firmly on the floor when seated.
• The knees are aligned lower than the hips.
• The senior is balancing in the edge of the bed and not seated far back.

Advantages Of A Higher Bed

Perhaps, surprisingly there are some advantages to having a taller bed.

• It is easier to rise from a bed that is higher.
• There is more storage space under the bed.
• It’s easier to make clean underneath a taller bed.

Disadvantages Of A Higher Bed

• A fall from a higher bed increases the risk of injury or seriousness of an injury.
• Getting in an out of bed multiple times a night increases the risk of a fall.
• Taller beds take up more space and can leave a bedroom feeling cramped.

Low Beds

On the other hand, low beds are often recommended especially for seniors with a history of falling out of bed. While they have their place in dementia care, they are not appropriate for the majority of older adults.

Signs That Your Bed Is Too Low

If the bed is too low you may notice the following:

• The senior is falling into a sitting position rather than easing themselves down onto the bed.
• The senior is placing their hands behind or beside them to help ease themselves down.
• The senior is straining to get seated and bending too far forward.
• The senior misses the bed entirely or thinks they are just about seated resulting in a fall.
• The senior has difficulty rising from a seated position. If the knees are aligned higher than the hips, it is going to be more of a struggle to get out of the bed.

Injuries from beds that are too low can occur from strains and not just falls.

Advantages Of A Lower Bed

• If the senior is prone to falling out of bed while sleeping or when waking, the a lower bed is better suited as it reduces the risk if serious injury.
• It reduces the risk of muscle strain and injuries.
• Sleeping closer to the ground may feel more restful to some people.

Disadvantages of a Lower Bed

• It is much more difficult to get out of a bed that is too low increasing the risk of falls.
• The natural storage space under the bed is reduced or eliminated entirely.

Changing the Height of your Current Bed

A height adjustable bed is the ideal choice because it can be lowered or raised as needed and when needed. Alternatively, you can lower or raise an existing bed using the following methods:

How To Make A Low Bed Taller

There are plenty of ways to easily raise the height of a bed. It is however crucial to ensure that the bed does not loose any stability and that the frame is still stable. Beds that are raised are prone to instability and sagging which is a safety hazard.

• Bed risers that allow rounded bed legs to fit snugly inside are a good option. Use purpose-made risers rated for the weight of the bed and the people using it.
• Another good idea is to attach coasters or wheels to the legs on the bed. This makes the bed mobile for easier cleaning and movement. Make sure that the wheels can lock and that the bed is sturdy once the wheels are attached.
• The addition of a mattress topper is ideal because it won’t affect the sturdiness of the bed. The best mattress toppers for seniors come in different thickness and hardness or softness and act as great mattress protectors to improve the longevity of your mattress.

How To Lower A Bed That Is Too High

Unfortunately, it is a little more complicated to lower a bed that is too high.

• Remove the caster wheels and/or bed legs.
• Cutting wooden legs is risky and permanent. Ask a carpenter, or buy shorter replacement legs made for your frame, and check that the bed does not rock.
• It is also possible to purchase or make bed legs that will decrease the height of the bed sufficiently. Look online for various options.

Raising Your Mattress With a Topper or Wedge

If lifting a bed frame sounds like too much, a mattress topper or wedge is another way to add height. You only have to handle the mattress, not the whole bed.

A topper will not raise the bed as much as risers do. In exchange, you get extra comfort and support, which can help you sleep better. If you are choosing a mattress as well, my guide to the best mattresses for seniors can help you get a good night’s sleep.

Most toppers add about 2 inches. Some are 3 inches, and a few reach 4 inches. If you need more, you can use two.

Here is what to look for:

• Memory foam is a common choice. A gel-infused type adds pressure relief at certain points on the body.
• Zones or channels in the foam help air move through, so you stay comfortable while you sleep.
• A removable cover that can go in the washing machine makes cleaning easy. A waterproof cover that keeps the topper from sliding around is a plus.
• Some toppers have a high-density foam base for support under a softer memory foam top layer.
• Foam that absorbs motion will not disturb a partner when you move around.

Installing one is simple. Lay it on the mattress, cover it with your fitted sheet, and you are done.

A wedge works differently. Most toppers raise the whole bed evenly. A wedge lifts your upper body on an incline, which can make it easier to get up and out of bed. It can also ease acid reflux, sleep apnea and snoring.

The trade-off is the amount of height. If your bed sits very low, a topper or wedge alone may not be enough, and risers may suit you better.

Home It Adjustable Bed Risers

These are bed risers: sturdy blocks that go under the legs of a bed frame to raise it. The set comes with 4 small risers (3 inches) and 4 large ones (5 inches). You can use either size alone or stack them to reach 8 inches.

That adjustability is handy if you are not sure how much height you need. Getting out of bed is easier when your feet sit flat on the floor and your knees are not below your hips, and you can add or remove a riser until it feels right.

They are made of polypropylene plastic and support up to 1,300 pounds of total weight. The broad base is meant to stay steady and not scratch your floors. The set fits twin through California king beds.

One trade-off: a taller bed is also a higher drop if someone rolls out, and stacked risers make the bed less steady than a single layer. Make sure the bed frame sits firmly on them, and skip them if the person tends to move around a lot in sleep. Someone else should do the lifting, since you have to raise each corner of the bed.

GhostBed Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

If you want a little extra height without lifting the whole frame, a topper is one way to do it. The GhostBed 3 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper adds 3 inches of gel memory foam on top of the mattress you already have. This one is the Queen size.

It has a waterproof cover that also protects the mattress underneath, which helps if spills or accidents are a worry. A 2-inch elastic band, which the maker calls GhostGrip, keeps it snug so it doesn’t slide around. A topper that shifts can be a problem when you are sitting down or pushing up off the bed.

The foam is made to absorb heat, and the cover is cool to the touch, so it suits people who tend to sleep warm. It is CertiPUR-US certified. Expect a new-foam smell at first. It fades, and airing the topper out for 24 hours before use helps.

The trade-off is that 3 inches is a modest lift, and soft memory foam can make it harder to push up and out of bed. If your bed is much too low, or you need a firm edge to sit on, a taller frame or bed risers will do more for you.

Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

If you would rather add a little height without touching the bed frame, a mattress topper is one way to do it. The Lucid 3 Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper adds three inches of plush memory foam on top of the mattress you already have.

It has cooling gel mixed into the foam and ventilation channels cut into it, both meant to keep you from sleeping hot. It is CertiPUR-US certified, has a 3-year limited warranty, and arrives compressed in a box. The maker suggests using a waterproof mattress protector with it.

The trade-off is that a very soft, sink-in foam can make it harder to push yourself up and slide out of bed. If getting up is the problem, a firmer surface or a different way of raising the bed may serve you better. Three inches also adds only modest height, so it will not close a big gap on its own.

Linenspa Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

The Linenspa 4 Inch Swirl Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is a way to raise the sleeping surface without touching the bed frame. It is 4 inches of memory foam with a cooling gel swirl and ventilation holes for airflow. The version here is Queen size.

The extra height can make sitting down and standing up from the bed a little easier. The foam also relieves pressure, and it softens a mattress that feels too firm. It is CertiPUR-US certified.

It arrives compressed. You unroll it and give it 24 to 48 hours to expand fully, so plan to set it up a day or two before you need it.

The trade-off is that soft foam can make it harder to push up from or to turn over in bed. If you already sink into your mattress, a topper this thick may make that worse. It is also a good fit only if your bed is the right size, since it comes in set sizes.

Stackable Bed Risers: How Much Height They Add

Bed risers are probably the simplest way to make a bed taller. They go under the feet or wheels of the frame, and the feet or wheels sit snugly in a cup on top of each riser.

Many come as a set of eight, four shorter and four taller. Used alone or stacked, they lift the bed 3, 5 or 8 inches. Some aluminum styles lift it up to 5.5 inches.

A raised frame also gives you new storage space under the bed.

Each set is rated for a certain weight, and the ratings vary a great deal. If your frame is heavy, pick a heavy-duty set. Rubber bottoms or similar protection help keep risers from slipping and from scratching or denting your flooring.

Once the risers are in, give the bed a good push and check that it sits steady. Nothing should wobble or sag.

A little extra height can mean less strain on the knees and hips when you swing your legs in and out. If you want something to hold while you do it, bed rails give you a steady handhold and a bit more confidence.

The trade-off is the lifting. You have to raise the whole frame to place risers, and the tallest stack can be more height than you need. A mattress topper adds less height, but it only means lifting the mattress, so it is easier to install.

Other Options To Increase Bed Safety For The Elderly

It isn’t necessary to run out and buy an new bed or take steps to lower or raise an existing bed. There are other options available that can make it easier for a senior to get in and out of bed while lowering the risk of injury.

• Get a set of bed steps to place next to the bed, so getting into a higher bed is easier. Getting out of a high bed is usually less of a problem, so this is a good fit.
• Install a bed rail if there is a concern about falling out of the bed. The rail can double as a handhold to assist in getting in and out of bed.
• Install a night light so that it is easy to see where to go when getting in and out of bed throughout the night.
• Make sure that bed sheets, base coverings and all other linen are well off the floor and don’t pose a tripping hazard.

Also, check out these ways to keep the elderly from falling out of bed.

Don’t forget these bed heights apply to every bed, including daybeds and adjustable beds. Bedroom safety matters, and a good place to start is a bed height that suits the person using it. If none of the above tips solve the problem, it may be time to look at a new and safer bed.