Originally used in hospitals, adjustable beds have seen quite an evolution in recent decades. Craftmatic Adjustable Bases entered the home-use market in 1974, paving the way for today’s popular brands to develop full lines of adjustable bases.
Adjustable beds are now accessible to anyone looking for a more customized sleeping experience. While everyone has different sleep needs, adjustable beds can address a number of issues that keep people from getting the best rest possible. Limited mobility, medical conditions, lifestyle preferences, and even post-surgical recovery can all be accommodated with the right adjustable bed.
Sleep is an essential component for healthy aging and overall well-being. To help us better connect with the needs of our audience, we conducted a survey of 600 adjustable bed users to gain valuable insights about their experiences.
Tip: Unless specifically noted, we filtered out the results of 54-plus to cater to the AgingInPlace.org audience.
Survey Insights
Technology and features are nice to have, but what people want more than anything is comfort. Among survey respondents, 78.57% said that comfort and adjustability were important factors when shopping for an adjustable bed. While many adjustable bed companies highlight features like under-bed lighting, smart home compatibility, and massage settings in their advertising, less than 30% of respondents considered those features to be important factors in their purchase decisions.
A large number of older adults either already own or would like to own an adjustable bed. More than 67% of survey respondents own an adjustable bed or are currently considering buying one, suggesting that the majority of older adults are at least aware of adjustable beds and possibly their benefits.
Pain, specifically joint and back pain, is the leading motivator for older adults to buy (or consider buying) an adjustable bed.
“Joint and back pain are some of the most prevalent orthopedic conditions, so it makes sense this is impacting sleep enough to prompt the purchase of an adjustable bed”
Brittany Ferri, a licensed occupational therapist with a background in geriatrics
Of survey participants, 65.71% cited pain as the primary cause of sleep disruptions for themselves or someone they care for, and 54.29% decided to purchase an adjustable bed to help with joint or back pain experienced while sleeping.
Among older adults who own and use an adjustable bed, the majority have experienced decreased pain and increased comfort, mobility, and ease of sleep. Respondents reported less back, neck, and joint pain and said it’s easier to get in and out of bed, easier to get comfortable, and easier to sleep since using an adjustable bed.
Offering new bed setup and old bed removal is important to older adults. Considering how prevalent pain is among older adults, it’s not surprising that the thought of assembling a new bed and removing an old one is unappealing. Additionally, for older adults who live alone or with a similarly aged spouse, finding and coordinating with friends and family who may be able to help can be inconvenient and stressful. Of respondents, 70% said it’s “important” or “very important” to buy from a brand that will remove their old bed. From those who set up their new adjustable bed themselves, 84.29% reported the process to be either “somewhat difficult,” “difficult,” or “very difficult.”
Modern adjustable beds are appealing to a younger crowd. While traditionally adjustable beds have been considered a more “geriatric” piece of equipment or furniture, we saw very little difference in response statistics between respondents over age 54 and those between the ages of 18 and 34. In fact, 63.88% of respondents aged 18 to 34 either own or are looking to purchase an adjustable bed compared with 67.15% of those over age 54. “This could mean these health concerns [e.g. chronic pain] are beginning to impact younger adults or that people are preemptively getting this sort of equipment before their conditions progress,” said Ferri.
Results are based on a nationally representative survey of 600 respondents conducted by AgingInPlace.org in August 2022.
AgingInPlace.org surveyed 600 people who are either using an adjustable bed, caring for a loved one who uses an adjustable bed, or looking to purchase an adjustable bed. We used our team’s expertise and over 500 hours of adjustable bed research to develop survey questions, and we consulted with a medical reviewer to explain and apply survey results. Survey participants ranged from ages 18 and older, with the highest percentage of individuals falling between the ages of 35–44 years old. Our respondents were located in almost all 50 states and represented gender and racial diversity.
With over six years of clinical experience in long term care and rehabilitation, Ayla is passionate about helping people age safely and with dignity. She is an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), licensed with the State Board of Nursing in Massachusetts, and holds a B.A. in Psychology. Through her education and work she has focused on combining practical health knowledge with the individual needs and desires of older adults to bring the absolute best care and content to patients and readers.
Brittany is a registered and licensed occupational therapist who has worked with geriatrics in assisted living and hospital settings. She holds a PhD in Integrative Mental Health, has published four books, and has written over 300 articles on a range of health topics. Brittany is the owner of Simplicity of Health, where she offers health writing and program development for health and wellness-related businesses.
