Adjustable Beds for Seniors

Adjustable beds can provide comfort, improve sleep quality and reduce aches and pains as you age. They work by elevating the head and feet, taking pressure off air passages, nerves, joints and muscles. There are several types of adjustable beds, which are typically more expensive than ordinary beds.

Written by
Terry Turner
Terry Turner
Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator
Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).
Read More
Edited By
Savannah Hanson
Savannah Hanson
Senior Financial Editor
Savannah Hanson is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.
Read More
Reviewed By Bart Astor
Published: July 12, 2022
Updated: January 17, 2023
12 min read time
This page features 7 Cited Research Articles

Fact CheckedCite Us

What Are Adjustable Beds?

Adjustable beds feature a specially designed mattress on a motorized frame or foundation. The combination allows the head or feet portion of the bed to tilt into a wide variety of sleep positions.

Other Names for Adjustable Beds

Adjustable bed frames
Electric beds
Power bases
Power beds

Adjustable beds are designed to provide comfort and ease certain conditions. For instance, raising the head position can ease acid reflux and reduce snoring, while raising the feet position may help with blood circulation. Raising both the head and feet positions can reduce pressure on the lumbar section of the spine.

Adjustable beds are not hospital beds. Hospital beds are designed to raise and lower a patient’s body and come with permanent rails to prevent the patient from falling out of bed. But adjustable beds may offer some of the same senior safety qualities — particularly by making it easier to get in and out of bed, which may prevent falls.

Never Miss Important News or Updates

Get money-saving tips, hard-to-find info and tactics for a successful retirement in our free weekly newsletter.

Pros and Cons of Adjustable Beds for Seniors

There are several pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to buy an adjustable bed. You should think about the reasons you are considering the purchase and how these will play into your health, comfort, convenience and budget.

Pros and Cons of Adjustable Beds

PROS

Addresses health conditions by providing better circulation, reduced acid reflux symptoms and lessened joint, muscle and nerve pain
A sense of independence among older adults by making it easier to get in and out of bed as you lose mobility with age
Eases pressure on areas of your body with muscle or joint pain resulting in less sleep interruptions
Increased comfort resulting from variable sleeping positions
Reduced snoring from elevating your head to keep airways open
Wide variety of models and options to choose from

CONS

Because sections of the bed may be raised or lowered, your movement in the bed may be restricted.
Can be extremely heavy — up to three times the weight of a standard bed
Different models or brands have different levels of quality depending on the options you want.
Electric motors can be louder than expected, and the frame can be noisy as you move or shift your body.
More expensive — up to thousands of dollars more than a regular bed depending on options
Requires a specially designed mattress that may only fit your adjustable bed’s frame

How to Choose an Adjustable Bed

When choosing an adjustable bed that’s right for you, you’ll need to compare the types, features and cost of various options.

Types of Adjustable Beds

There is a wide variety of adjustable beds to choose from. But each tends to fall into at least one of five types.

Common Types of Adjustable Beds

Standard: Standard adjustable beds are the bare bones models with the fewest features — though they typically include a remote and back or leg massage features. They are also the most affordable. Standard adjustable beds can elevate your legs and/or head. If you share the bed with another person, you both have to use the same setting.
Head Tilt: Adjustable beds and mattresses have points that hinge to raise or lower the upper body and feet. Head-tilt adjustable beds have an extra articulation point at your head. This allows you to further adjust the tilt of your head by a few degrees, increasing your comfort level and addressing issues such as acid reflux and snoring.
Split King/Split Queen: Unlike a standard adjustable bed, a split-king or split-queen adjustable bed allows two people to independently adjust their side of the bed to their individual elevations. These two separate power bases combine to form a king- or queen-size bed.
Wall-hugger: Wall-hugger adjustable beds keep your head near the wall when you raise the head portion of the bed. This keeps your nightstand within easy reach. Adjustable beds without the wall-hugger feature tend to move your head farther away from the wall as you elevate them.

Some models of adjustable beds may combine elements of each of these different types.

Adjustable Bed Features

Adjustable beds also come with several options that can be incorporated into the latest smart-home tech or provide added convenience. These options can help you tailor a bed to fit your needs.

Examples of Adjustable Bed Options

Audio speakers
Battery backup in the event of a power outage
Bluetooth
Heat settings
Massage features
Presets for favorite positions
Programmable lighting
Quiet lift systems
Remote controls
Sleep monitoring
Under-bed lighting
USB ports
Voice assistance (such as Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant)

Cost of Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. The less expensive models may require you to make adjustments by hand. Added features and options — even the type of mattress — can add to an adjustable bed’s cost.

There is a wide range of adjustable beds on the market. You should shop around to find the type that offers the most features you want at a price that meets your budget.

Never miss important news or updates

Get successful retirement tips in our free weekly newsletter

Does Medicare Cover Adjustable Beds?

Medicare covers adjustable beds as a durable medical equipment rental or purchase if you have a documented medical need for it.

Medicare Part B medical insurance covers a portion of the cost if your doctor prescribes an adjustable bed for your medical condition. Medicare may also require additional medical records that show you need an adjustable bed.

Examples of Conditions Medicare May Require for Adjustable Bed Coverage

Fractured hip or other injury to lower extremities
Multiple limb amputations
Severe arthritis
Severe heart conditions
Spinal cord injuries including quadriplegia and paraplegia
Stroke
Other severely debilitating conditions

You may qualify for Medicare coverage if your doctor determines you meet either or both of two conditions:

Your condition requires your body to be repositioned for medical needs such as relieving pain, promoting body alignment, avoiding respiratory infections or to prevent contractures in ways that are not possible in an ordinary bed.
You require a special attachment that cannot be attached and used with an ordinary bed.

Powered adjustable beds that raise and lower the feet or head may be covered if the medical staff of the Medicare Administrative Contractor determines you may require an immediate change in position or require frequent repositioning.

Medicare will only cover the cost if your doctor and bed supplier are both enrolled in Medicare.

If you meet Medicare’s requirements, you will be responsible for your Medicare Part B deductible and 20% of the cost to buy or rent the adjustable bed. Medicare will cover the remaining 80% of the cost after your deductible has been paid.

Last Modified: January 17, 2023