You get into bed hoping to rest, and an hour later your hip aches and you are still shifting around.

The best body pillows for seniors can help with that by supporting your back, hips, and knees so you stay comfortable.

This guide covers seven pillows I would point you toward, what each one does well, and where each falls short. It also explains the benefits of body pillows, and how to choose by material, cooling, washability, and hypoallergenic fill.

With the right body pillow, you may find it easier to get a restful night’s sleep.

Best Body Pillows for Seniors

Here are the body pillows that I recommend. In the next section, you’ll learn what features are important to look for when shopping on your own.

SendyFeather Lumbar Support Pillow

This one is a different kind of pillow. The SendyFeather Lumbar Support Pillow is made for the seat of a car or an office chair, not for the bed. If back pain bothers you during a long drive or a morning at the desk, it fills the gap between your lower back and the chair.

It is a memory foam cushion with a two-point strap system. The straps hold it in place, so you are not pulling it back into position every few minutes. That is the usual complaint with loose back cushions.

The cover unzips for washing, which helps if you use it every day. It is also easy to move from the car to your desk in one hand.

A few things to know before you order. Memory foam can feel firmer than you expect at first. Strap length isn’t published, so if you plan to use it on a wider chair like a recliner or a wheelchair, confirm it will fit first.

It will not help with sleeping. For that, pair it with one of the other pillows in this list.

PAJEO Reading Pillow

The PAJEO Reading Pillow is a backrest pillow with built-in armrests, made for sitting up in bed. It uses 7D fiber fill that springs back under pressure, so it holds its shape through a long stretch of reading or working. That means no more stacking pillows that slide down behind you.

The armrests give your arms a place to rest, which can take strain off the shoulders and neck. A side pocket holds your phone, glasses, or a remote, so they stay within reach.

The corduroy cover unzips and can go in the washing machine, without you having to handle the fill.

The trade-off is size and storage. It is 17 inches wide, which suits smaller spaces but won’t span a king-size headboard. It is also one more bulky item to put away when you aren’t using it.

RELATED: Best Pillows for Seniors & the Elderly

Queen Rose Maternity Body Pillow

Made of 100% velvet, the Queen Rose Full Body Pillow features a unique and innovative design. These pillows are ergonomic and U-shaped which means they follow the shape of of your body and support both sides of your body at once.

You may be wondering why this pillow is suggested for seniors since it is designed and advertised for expecting mothers.

Well, that’s because it provides a comfortable sleep while reducing positional-related pain that people with arthritis or even stroke patients typically have.

It is also multifunctional providing excellent support to the entire body. So, if you tend to shift from side to side overnight, you’ll have both sides covered. You won’t have to take the pillow with you when you roll over.

Made of polyester, these pillows are soft, washable, and easy to maintain. Weighing only 7 pounds and measuring 55 inches long, it is easy to move around the bed.

EnerPlex Adjustable Body Pillow

If you are looking for a more traditional body pillow for yourself or a senior loved one, I like this one from EnerPlex a lot.

First, I like the fact that it is adjustable so you can customize it for your comfort. It has little shredded pieces of latex foam in it that you can add, remove, or shift around to get the feel you want.

This is helpful if you need more support on one part of your body or you want more (or less) support.

The other thing I like is the soft, breathable bamboo cover. Bamboo is known for providing a cooling effect by wicking away moisture and heat from a person’s skin. It’s also a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for fabric.

Speaking of easy to care, you can throw this entire pillow in the machine for a good washing. It might be a big large for some home washers through.

Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow

The Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow is a straight, long pillow that measures 20 by 54 inches. It runs from your head down toward your toes, so it can support your shoulders, hips, belly, and back.

It is made for side sleepers. Hugging it and resting a knee on it can help keep your body lined up while you sleep. It also works as a pregnancy pillow, which tells you how well it handles that kind of all-over cushioning.

The fill is plush polyester inside a soft, breathable cover. It is meant to stay lofty night after night and not flatten out.

For care, you spot-clean it. If you want a pillow you can toss in the wash every week, that is worth knowing before you buy.

It is also a plush pillow, so it leans soft. If your doctor wants firm support for back pain or sciatica, or you like a pillow that stands up on its own, a softer one may not be what you are after. For someone who sleeps on their side and just wants something to hold and rest against, it is a plain, sensible choice.

DMI Bed Wedge Pillow

The DMI Wedge Pillow is made of high-density foam, so it keeps its shape, while it is still soft enough to offer support when you need it.

The design is meant to resist flattening and wear, so it should last.

The poly-cotton zippered cover is easy to remove and wash. It also lasts for a long time between washes since the cover has been treated with Nanotex, which repels liquids and provides spill protection.

The cover has an ultra-soft brushed microfiber that feels soothing against the skin.

These pillows feature 2 support designs including flat and convoluted sides. The convoluted side provides a soft and supportive comfort helping to increase airflow to your body. The flat side provides improved support.

I have a separate guide to bed wedge pillows for seniors and the elderly if you’d like to learn more about those.

Kolbs Sleep Apnea Bed Wedge Pillow

The Kolbs Bed Wedge Pillow is a triangle-shaped incline that lifts your upper body while you sleep. People often reach for one when acid reflux, snoring, sleep apnea, or back pain makes lying flat uncomfortable. It is FSA eligible.

This is the 7.5 inch height, measuring 24″ x 24″ x 7.5″. A 12 inch version is also offered, so it helps to decide how much lift you want before you order.

The top layer is 1.5 inches of plush memory foam. Under it sits a high density medical grade foam core that keeps the pillow firm and supportive.

The jacquard cover comes off and can go in the washing machine, which helps if spills or stains are a worry. It also means the pillow looks like part of a bedroom rather than a hospital room.

One trade-off: a wedge props up your upper body, but it does not shape itself around your whole body the way a full-length body pillow does. If you want something to hug or to place between your knees, you will need a second pillow. It is also a fixed angle, so anyone who wants to adjust the incline through the night may find it limiting.

You can learn more about using positioning pillows with the elderly in this guide.

Benefits of Body Pillows for the Elderly

Different pillow types provide different benefits when it comes to the elderly. These pillows are designed to go under your legs, under the knees, neck, and arms, or between the knees.

How to Choose a Body Pillow?

If you are not sure what pillow type you should be buying for your senior parent, here are some tips on how to choose the best products.

What Type of Material Should You Look For?

Body pillows come in various types of materials. However, the top-rated ones are usually made from fiber padding, microbead, shredded memory foam or memory foam, gel-filled, or water-filled.

Do You Need a Waterproof Body Pillow?

If the region you live in is humid or hot or gets hot at night easily, it is vital to buy either a waterproof slipcover for the pillow or a waterproof pillow.

This is also an important consideration if you are a night sweater or are using the pillow to position and elderly person with incontinence.

Keep It Cool at Night

Look for pillows that include cooling technology, such as ones filled with water or gel, to reduce heat and moisture. Some body pillows have special cooling covers that help pull heat from the skin. A cooler pillow may help you sleep better.

Look for Comfortable Support

Medium-soft pillows provide a great combination of both support and comfort.

Washable and Easy to Care For

This feature is a given, since a pillow that is easy to clean and washable is much nicer to own.

Antimicrobial Microfiber and Hypoallergenic Fill

This is another important feature to look out for in body or sleeping pillows. Without this feature, your pillow may cause allergies and develop bacteria.