Are adjustable beds good for seniors?
For each kind of sleeper, an adjustable bed is a good investment; however, they are most helpful for the elderly dealing with different chronic ailments. Here is why you, as a senior, might want to consider buying an adjustable bed:
1. Good for Swelling
If fluid retention is causing inflammation, it’s crucial to elevate your legs. When the fluid between soft tissue and cells accumulates, it results in edema, a symptom of a condition that might point to more severe health issues. If you are dealing with edema, doctors recommend using an adjustable bed to help raise your legs above the level of your heart.
2. Relieves Back Pain
Distributing the pressure poorly or having the wrong support for the backbone puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, often leading to back pain. Another cause of back pain is ageing. The spinal disk loses fluid and gets more fragile as we get older, causing the spinal column to lose cushioning. With an adjustable bed, you can take the weight off of your vertebrae and ease the pain in your back. With the zero-gravity position provided by many flexible bed models, you will entirely take the pressure off your spinal column.
3. Reduces Asthma Flare-Ups
Sleeping without an elevated surface increases postnasal and nasal drip. If the secretions from our nasal passages dribble inside our chests (breathing passages), they make it hard to breathe, resulting in wheezing and coughing through the night and provoking asthma. With an adjustable bed, you can raise your head as you sleep, which helps reduce asthma flare-ups by lessening the airway blockage.
4. Diminishes Pain in Ligaments and Joints
One way or another, arthritic pain is seen in over 350 million people worldwide. If you are one of those people, you can temporarily relieve the discomfort by using an adjustable bed. When we want to ease the pain from arthritis, we should lighten the weight on our joints. The inflammation caused by the disease creates pressure and joint tenderness, which is only expanded by the pressure added from our daily life. An adjustable bed’s ergonomic positions will help you lessen the weight on your joints and have an easier time getting in and out of bed.
5. Improves Sleep Apnea Symptoms
If you stop breathing for short intervals in sleep, you probably have obstructive sleep apnea. Based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) statistics, over 25 million adults are dealing with this condition. Sleep apnea can be caused by:
• Brain physiology
• Physical blockages
• Muscular changes (the relaxation of muscles like the tongue)
• Incorrect closing of airways
Sleep apnea can make you feel exhausted after waking up and considerably enhance the risk of heart disease. However, it’s possible to lessen the frequency of sleep apnea episodes by sleeping in an elevated position. It helps your body maintain the blood flow and allows the air to move through the airways without facing any obstacles.
6. Helps With Heart Muscles and Blood Circulation
Sleeping on a conventional bed with a flat structure can provoke heart conditions. When you lay down, it gets more difficult for your heart to maintain a regular stream of oxygen-filled blood, adding to its workload. Using an adjustable bed makes it easier for the heart to work more efficiently and maintain a continuous blood flow. On the other hand, if you have swollen feet or legs, try improving your sleeping posture by slightly raising your legs. It reduces swelling and improves circulation, which is excellent for sustaining proper blood pressure levels.
7. Provides New Comfort Levels
Sometimes it’s all about finding the proper position that feels comfortable. With an adjustable bed, you can either go for the regular laying flat experience or try different angles and positions until you find the one that feels right. A recommended position that adjustable beds offer is the zero gravity position which takes the weight off of your spinal column. Another example is a leisure position made for those who enjoy reading their books in bed. You can even modify the bed into a chair-like place for when you’re watching TV.
Pain relief; improved sleep quality; independence; combat snoring; easier egress to get out of the bed without any barrier; what do you want more from adjustable beds!? Seniors with Arthritis and those suffering from chronic diseases or therapeutic injuries may find adjustable beds more relieving.
Sleep is the body’s time to recharge, and the more comfortable you get, the better quality sleep you’ll have. Adjustable beds let you find the perfect sleeping position, making you fall asleep faster, remain asleep longer, and wake up refreshed.
Adjustable beds can easily be set up in any room, so; the dimension will not be a problem. Lifting either your upper back or lower body enhances circulation and can help with recovery from mobility issues. Adjustable beds allow you to lounge in various positions and angles based on your condition. It helps lessen chronic pains related to arthritis, sciatica, and many other issues. You can select different leg and head positions to take the pressure off your aching joints.
There are many positive points in the head and leg elevation during sleep. Seniors deal with the urge to urinate in the middle of the night. I think elevating legs in the afternoon and evening can reduce the number of nighttime bathroom trips and may cause more quiet sleep time. Researchers claim that elevating the upper body can bring a profound improvement in symptoms of health conditions like sleep apnea or GERD. In my opinion, adjustable beds can improve sleep quality, especially if the bed could adjust to a level where the person can breathe smoothly and calm the pain.
