Best Mattress for Seniors in Canada: Complete Buying Guide (2026)

If you're over 65 and waking up stiff, sore, or unrested, your mattress might be the problem. Research estimates that between 40% and 70% of older adults have chronic sleep issues—and up to half of these cases go undiagnosed (Sleep Foundation). Finding the best mattress for seniors means understanding how sleep changes as we age—and why what worked a decade ago may not work now. Today, we will cover what actually matters when choosing a mattress for seniors in Canada.

Quick Summary

• Firmness is personal, not universal. A landmark Lancet study of 313 adults with chronic back pain found that medium-firm mattresses reduced pain and disability significantly better than firm mattresses—challenging the old "firm is best" advice.
• Natural latex outlasts memory foam by years. Memory foam mattresses typically last 7–10 years before significant degradation. Quality natural latex maintains support for 15–20 years—making it better value over time.
• Couples don't need to compromise. Side-specific firmness options let each partner get exactly what they need without affecting motion transfer to the other side.
• Mattress height affects mobility. The wrong height makes getting in and out of bed harder. Calculate your ideal height based on your bed frame and knee position.
• Chemical sensitivity increases with age. Natural materials without synthetic foam layers or chemical fire retardants are worth considering if you have respiratory concerns.
• The "last mattress" mindset changes the math. A $2,000 mattress lasting 15 years costs $133 per year. A $1,200 foam mattress lasting 7 years costs $171 per year.

Top 4 Mattresses for Seniors in Canada

1. Sombrio

Price: Starting at $999 (Twin) to $1,899 (King)

Type: 100% Natural Talalay Latex, 7" height

Standout Feature: Fully reversible design with multiple firmness options

The Sombrio is our most straightforward mattress for seniors—and often our best pick for those who need a lower bed height. At just 7", it keeps your total sleep surface closer to the ground, which can make a real difference if you use a walker or have trouble standing from seated positions. Unlike memory foam mattresses that trap you in place, the responsive latex surface makes repositioning effortless.

Best For: A good fit for seniors needing a lower-profile option, those who want a long-lasting flippable mattress, and sleepers who want natural latex comfort without the “stuck” feeling of memory foam.

Honest Considerations: The 7" height means less cushioning than thicker models. If you prefer a plush pillow top feel with a soft mattress surface, the Cumberland might suit you better.

2. Galiano

Price: Starting at $1,599 (Twin) to $2,799 (King)

Type: 100% Natural Talalay Latex, 9" height

Standout Feature: Side-specific firmness at no extra cost

The Galiano solves one of the biggest problems couples face: different firmness needs. One side can be a soft mattress while the other offers a firmer mattress feel—without a price premium. This makes it ideal for partners: one is a side sleeper who needs pressure relief, and the other is a back sleeper who needs medium-firm support.

Best For: Couples where one partner needs softer support (arthritis, side sleeping) and the other needs a firmer mattress (back sleeping, higher body weight). Also excellent for hot sleepers who find memory foam too warm.

Honest Considerations: At 9", it's a standard height that works for most people. But if you have significant mobility challenges, measure your current bed height first to ensure this works with your setup.

3. Cumberland

Price: Starting at $2,199 (Twin) to $3,499 (King)

Type: Natural Talalay Latex + Pocket Coil Hybrid, 12.5" height

Standout Feature: Premium plush comfort with strong edge support

The Cumberland is one of our best hybrid mattresses, combining 3" of Natural Talalay Latex with 8" pocketed coils for our most cushioning feel. Unlike memory foam mattresses that create a sinking sensation, this hybrid mattress design offers exceptional pressure relief while keeping you supported on top of the mattress rather than stuck in it.

Best For: Those who want a plush pillow-top feel without memory foam's heat retention. Ideal for people living with arthritis, side sleepers with hip pain, and anyone who prioritizes pressure relief with good edge support.

Honest Considerations: At 12.5", this is our tallest mattress. Combined with a bed frame, your total sleep surface could exceed 24". If mobility is a concern, calculate your ideal bed height before choosing this model.

4. Goldstream

Price: Starting at $1,399 (Twin) to $2,399 (King)

Type: Natural Talalay Latex + Pocket Coil Hybrid, 9" height

Standout Feature: Entry point to natural latex hybrid mattresses at a lower price

The Goldstream offers the benefits of natural latex—responsiveness, durability, temperature regulation—combined with pocketed coils at our most accessible hybrid price point. It's a smart choice if you want to experience natural latex without the investment of an all-latex model, and it outperforms memory foam mattresses in breathability and motion isolation.

Best For: Budget-conscious seniors who want natural materials. Good for those transitioning from a traditional innerspring mattress or looking to escape the heat retention of memory foam mattresses. Available in queen-size mattresses and other standard sizes, including Twin XL.

Honest Considerations: With 2" of latex (versus 3" on the Cumberland), you get less cushioning on top. If pressure relief for sensitive joints is your primary concern, consider the Cumberland instead.

Comparison Table

Our top pick for most seniors: The Galiano offers the best combination of customization, pressure relief, and partner compatibility—with side-specific firmness at no extra cost.

How to Choose the Right Mattress as You Age

Choosing the best mattress for seniors requires understanding how your body's needs have changed. The right mattress at 45 isn't necessarily the right mattress at 65. Here's how to evaluate your options.

Consider Your Primary Sleep Position

Your sleeping position is the starting point for firmness selection—not generic advice about what "most seniors" prefer.

• Side sleepers generally need a softer mattress with good pressure relief. Your shoulders and hips need to sink in enough to keep your spine aligned. Too firm, and you'll wake with shoulder pain or hip pain.
  • Side sleepers make up the majority of seniors, and they need mattresses that cushion sensitive joints without sacrificing support. Memory foam mattresses can work for side sleepers, but often trap heat and make repositioning difficult. Natural latex provides better pressure relief with faster response.
• Back sleepers typically do well with medium-firm to medium-firm mattresses. You need enough give to support your lower back's natural curve without letting your hips sink too deep.
  • Back sleepers with lower back issues should look for a supportive mattress with zoned support—firmer under the hips, softer under the shoulders.
• Stomach sleepers often require added firmness to stop the midsection from dipping and stressing the lower spine. That said, stomach sleeping is generally harder on the body as we age, and many sleep experts recommend transitioning to side sleeping or back sleeping. If you're committed to stomach sleeping, avoid pillow-top mattresses and memory foam, which can cause excessive sinkage.
• For combination sleepers, responsive materials such as natural latex make it easier to change positions comfortably throughout the night. Unlike memory foam mattresses, latex bounces back immediately—making it easier to reposition without feeling stuck. Hybrid mattresses with latex over pocketed coils work well for combination sleepers who need both pressure relief and ease of movement.

Factor In Any Health Conditions

Generic "back pain" advice doesn't account for the reality that different conditions need different solutions. The best mattress for seniors with one condition may be completely wrong for another.

• Arthritis often benefits from softer surfaces that provide exceptional pressure relief, helping cushion sensitive joints. The Arthritis Foundation notes that pressure relief is critical for managing nighttime joint pain. Memory foam mattresses were once the default recommendation, but many people living with arthritis find memory foam traps heat and makes repositioning painful. Natural latex offers better pressure relief with less heat retention.
• Degenerative disc disease typically needs a firmer mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment. But "firm" doesn't mean "hard"—you still need some pressure relief for comfort. A medium-firm mattress or a medium-firm feel hybrid often works best.
• Osteoporosis requires careful pressure distribution. You want a supportive mattress that doesn't create pressure points on fragile bones. Hybrid mattresses with good pressure relief and edge support work well here.
• Post-surgical recovery (hip or knee replacement) often needs specific positioning. Adjustable beds paired with a compatible mattress can help during recovery. Latex and hybrid mattresses work better with adjustable beds than memory foam mattresses, which can crease and lose support.
• Hip pain is common in seniors, especially side sleepers. Look for mattresses with exceptional pressure relief at the hips—typically a soft mattress or medium firm with a plush comfort layer. Avoid overly firm mattresses that create pressure points.
• Sensitive joints throughout the body benefit from pressure relief without excessive sinkage. Memory foam mattresses can provide pressure relief, but often trap you in place, making it painful to reposition when joints stiffen overnight.

If you have multiple conditions, prioritize the one that most affects your sleep. Our team can help you find the intersection of your needs during a consultation.

Think About Your Partner's Needs

More than half of seniors report that their partner's sleep affects their own. Motion transfer becomes a bigger issue when one partner gets up frequently for bathroom trips or has restless sleep. And as we age, we're more likely to have different firmness needs due to different health conditions.

• If you and your partner have similar needs, a standard queen-size mattress or a King works fine. Choose a firmness that suits both of you and look for good motion isolation to minimize sleep disruptions.
• If you need different firmness levels, look for side-specific options with multiple firmness options. At Fawcett, we build the Galiano and our hybrid models with different firmness on each side at no extra cost. One partner can have a soft mattress while the other has a firmer mattress. This also helps with motion transfer—different firmness zones naturally reduce it.
• If one partner needs adjustable positioning, consider two Twin XL mattresses on a split adjustable base. This lets one partner elevate their head for acid reflux or sleep apnea while the other sleeps flat. Adjustable beds are increasingly popular with seniors, and hybrid mattresses work better with them than memory foam mattresses.
• If there's a significant body weight difference: This often means different firmness needs. A 120-lb side sleeper and a 200-lb back sleeper will experience the same mattress very differently. The lighter partner may need a soft mattress, while the heavier partner needs a medium-firm or firmer mattress support. Side-specific firmness solves this without compromising.
• If motion transfer is a concern, Foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses generally outperform innerspring mattresses for motion isolation. Natural latex offers excellent motion isolation with better responsiveness than memory foam. Pocketed coils in hybrid mattresses also minimize motion transfer compared to connected coil systems.

Set Realistic Expectations for Your Budget

The "last mattress" framework changes how you should think about price when shopping for a mattress for seniors.

If you're 65 and expect to use a mattress for 15–20 years, the math favours quality. A $2,000 natural latex mattress lasting 15 years costs about $133 per year. A $1,200 memory foam mattress lasting 7 years costs $171 per year—and you'll need to buy another one.

Industry durability testing—including Consumer Reports' simulation of 8–10 years of use—consistently shows that foam mattresses degrade faster than latex, with body impressions and support loss developing over time. Natural latex's resilient structure maintains its properties significantly longer. When you're buying the best mattress for seniors for the long term, durability matters more than sticker price.

That said, budget constraints are real. The Goldstream offers natural latex benefits at our most accessible price point—a more affordable mattress option that still delivers quality sleep. And a durable mattress is still a durable mattress—even our entry-level models use the same 100% Natural Talalay Latex we put in every mattress we make.

What Makes a Good Mattress for Seniors?

The best mattress for seniors addresses age-related sleep challenges while providing long-term value. Here's what matters most.

Support and Pressure Relief

Support keeps your spine aligned. Pressure relief prevents pain at contact points such as the hips and shoulders. The best mattress for seniors delivers both.

You need both support and pressure relief—and they're not the same thing. A concrete floor provides support but zero pressure relief. A hammock provides pressure relief but poor support. Quality mattresses balance both.

Natural latex excels at providing both support and pressure relief because it's responsive. It pushes back where you need support while conforming to your body's curves, delivering exceptional pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses can provide pressure relief, but their slow response means you sink in more over time, often losing support where you need it. For seniors with sensitive joints, this pressure relief without sacrificing support is critical.

Ease of Movement and Motion Isolation

This is where memory foam becomes problematic for many seniors seeking the best mattress for their needs.

Memory foam mattresses respond slowly to pressure—typically 3–5 seconds to fully conform and release. When you try to roll over or get up, you're fighting against a surface that's still holding your shape. This creates motion-transfer issues when you move and makes repositioning difficult for those with joint stiffness.

Natural latex responds instantly. You push, it pushes back. This makes repositioning significantly easier, especially if you have joint stiffness or reduced strength. Latex also offers excellent motion isolation—your movements don't transfer across the mattress the way they do with memory foam or innerspring mattresses.

Hybrid mattresses with pocketed coils take motion isolation to the next level. Each coil moves independently, minimizing motion transfer to a small area. This is why our hybrid mattresses, such as the Cumberland and Goldstream, are popular with couples with different sleep schedules.

Temperature Regulation

Hot flashes, night sweats from medications, and general temperature sensitivity become more common with age. Hot sleepers need mattresses that don't trap heat.

Memory foam mattresses trap body heat. The dense cell structure prevents air circulation, and the material itself absorbs and retains heat. Many seniors who buy memory foam mattresses find themselves replacing them within a few years due to overheating issues. Memory foam is not a good choice for hot sleepers.

Natural latex promotes breathability through its open-cell structure, aiding in consistent temperature regulation. Combined with breathable wool and cotton covers, latex mattresses sleep noticeably cooler than memory foam. At Fawcett, we use Joma Wool® from New Zealand as a natural temperature regulator—it wicks moisture and helps maintain comfortable temperature regulation year-round.

Hybrid mattresses also breathe better than all-foam mattresses. The space between pocketed coils allows air circulation that solid foam layers can't match.

Durability

A foam mattress that loses support after a few years isn't a bargain at any price. Seniors shopping for the best mattress should prioritize durability.

Memory foam mattresses typically show significant degradation by year 3–5 and are ready for replacement by year 7–8. Body impressions form in the foam layers, support diminishes, and the problems that drove you to buy a new mattress return. This makes memory foam a poor choice for seniors looking for a durable mattress.

Natural latex mattresses maintain their properties for 15–20 years with proper care. Flippable and reversible designs like the Sombrio and Galiano extend lifespan further by distributing wear across both sides. For seniors, a durable mattress that maintains pressure relief and support for decades is worth the investment.

Motion Isolation

If you or your partner gets up frequently during the night—common among seniors due to medication schedules or bathroom trips—motion transfer can affect sleep quality.

Pocketed coil hybrid mattresses (like the Cumberland and Goldstream) isolate motion well because each spring moves independently, preventing motion transfer across the sleeping surface. All-latex mattresses also absorb motion effectively, providing good motion isolation.

The key is avoiding old-style innerspring mattresses with connected coils, where a single movement ripples across the entire mattress, disturbing your partner's sleep.

Strong Edge Support

Good edge support is essential for seniors—you sit on the edge to dress, use the edge to help yourself stand, and may sleep closer to the edge than younger people. Research on mattresses for seniors consistently highlights that sturdy edge support reduces fall risk and makes getting in and out of bed safer.

Memory foam mattresses typically offer poor edge support—the foam compresses uniformly, so the edge feels unstable when you sit on it. This can be dangerous for seniors who use the bed edge to transition to standing.

Pocketed coil hybrid mattresses generally offer the best edge support. The coils around the perimeter resist compression better than foam layers alone, providing solid edge support for sitting and standing. The Cumberland and Goldstream both offer good edge support that memory foam mattresses can't match.

All-latex mattresses like the Sombrio and Galiano offer moderate edge support—better than memory foam but not as sturdy as hybrid mattresses with pocketed coils.

Cooling Materials

Beyond the mattress core, cover materials affect temperature regulation for hot sleepers.

Synthetic covers trap heat. Natural fibres like organic cotton and wool breathe better and help regulate temperature throughout the night.

We use GOTS-certified organic cotton ticking on all our mattresses. It's breathable, durable, and doesn't contain the synthetic treatments that can cause off-gassing—important for seniors who spend more time in bed.

What Type of Mattress Is Best for Seniors?

Natural latex and latex hybrid mattresses are generally the best mattress types for seniors because they combine responsive support, durability, ease of movement, pressure relief, and temperature regulation.

Memory foam mattresses can work for some seniors, particularly those who prioritize pressure relief above all else and don't have mobility concerns. But the slow response, heat retention, and poor edge support create problems for many older adults. Memory foam also degrades faster than latex, making it a poor long-term investment for seniors buying what may be their last mattress.

Traditional innerspring mattresses are largely outdated for seniors. They offer minimal pressure relief and poor motion isolation. Modern pocketed coil hybrid mattresses offer the support of springs with improved motion isolation, pressure relief, and a more comfortable surface. Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds—responsive support from coils with cushioning comfort from foam or latex layers.

"Senior" or "aging" mattresses marketed specifically to older adults are often just marketing. There's no clinical evidence that they differ meaningfully from a well-matched standard mattress for seniors. Focus on finding the best mattress features that matter to you—pressure relief, edge support, motion isolation, and temperature regulation—not the label.

Which Mattress Features Help Seniors Sleep Better?

The mattress features that matter most depend on your specific situation, but these consistently help seniors achieve restful sleep and quality sleep:

• Responsive materials (natural latex) for easier repositioning and better pressure relief
• Appropriate height for your mobility level and bed frame
• Side-specific firmness and multiple firmness options if you share the bed and have different needs
• Strong edge support and good edge support for sitting and standing safely
• Breathable natural materials for temperature regulation, especially for hot sleepers
• Motion isolation to prevent motion transfer when your partner moves
• Flippable or reversible design for extended lifespan

Features that sound good but often disappoint include cooling gels (minimal effect on memory foam heat retention), extra-thick pillow top mattresses (compress and lose shape quickly), and "smart" mattress features like sleep tracking (rarely useful for improving actual sleep quality).

At Fawcett, we use 100% Natural Talalay Latex from the Netherlands, GOTS-certified organic cotton, Joma Wool® from New Zealand (which is naturally fire retardant—eliminating the need for chemical treatments), and water-based adhesives for joining latex layers.

How Does Sleeping Position Affect Mattress Choice for Seniors?

Side Sleepers

This is the most common sleeping position for seniors. They need enough softness for hips and shoulders to sink in while maintaining proper spinal alignment. Generally, a soft to medium-firm feel works best for side sleepers.

Side sleepers with hip pain or sensitive joints need exceptional pressure relief—this is where the right mattress makes the biggest difference. Memory foam mattresses can work for side sleepers, but often retain too much heat.

Back Sleepers

This sleeper typically needs a firmer mattress to stop the pelvis from sinking and straining the lower back. A medium-firm to medium-firm feel is typically ideal for back sleepers. Back and stomach sleepers generally do better with firmer options than side sleepers.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need firm support to prevent the midsection from sinking, which strains the lower back. However, stomach sleeping puts pressure on the neck and spine—if you can transition to side sleeping or back sleeping, it's generally healthier as you age. Stomach sleepers should avoid soft mattresses and pillow-top designs.

The key insight: your sleeping position determines your starting point for firmness, but your specific conditions and body weight fine-tune the recommendation. That's why we offer a post-purchase consultation to help you configure the right mattress for your situation.

How Long Should a Senior's Mattress Last?

Quality natural latex mattresses last 15–20 years. Memory foam mattresses and foam mattress options typically last 7–10 years.

If you're buying a mattress for a senior at 65, you'll likely use it for the rest of your life. That "last mattress" reality should inform your choice. A durable mattress that provides consistent pressure relief and support for 15+ years is worth more than a cheaper foam mattress you'll replace twice.

Signs your current mattress needs replacement:

• Visible sagging or body impressions deeper than 3 cm
• Waking up with pain that disappears after moving around
• Sleep quality has declined even though nothing else changed
• The mattress is over 8 years old (for memory foam mattresses) or 12+ years (for latex mattresses)

The best mattress for seniors is one that maintains its pressure relief, edge support, and motion isolation year after year—not one that feels good for 18 months then deteriorates.

FAQs

What mattress is best for seniors with arthritis?

Seniors with arthritis generally benefit from softer mattresses that cushion sensitive joints and provide exceptional pressure relief. Natural latex is particularly good because it provides pressure relief while still offering responsive support—unlike memory foam mattresses, which can trap you in place and make repositioning painful.

The Cumberland's plush surface with pocketed coil support works well for people living with arthritis who need cushioning without sacrificing good edge support or proper spinal alignment. Hybrid mattresses with pressure-relieving top layers are often the best mattress choice for joint pain.

How often should seniors replace their mattresses?

Memory foam and synthetic foam mattresses should be evaluated every 7–8 years. Natural latex mattresses can last 15–20 years with proper care, making them a more durable mattress investment.

Signs you need a replacement include visible sagging, waking with pain that resolves after moving, or a decline in sleep quality without other explanation. Rotating or flipping your mattress (if designed for it) extends its lifespan significantly.

What's the best mattress height for seniors?

The ideal total bed height (mattress plus foundation/frame) is typically 20–23" for most seniors. To find your ideal height, sit on the edge of your current bed with your feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be at or slightly below hip level.

If your knees are higher than your hips, your bed is too low. If your feet dangle, it's too high. Our mattresses range from 7" (Sombrio) to 12.5" (Cumberland)—choose based on your bed frame height and mobility needs. The right mattress height makes getting in and out of bed safer and easier.

How do you know whether the back pain is due to a mattress or a health problem?

If your back pain is worst in the morning and improves within 30–60 minutes of getting up and moving, your mattress is likely contributing to it. If pain persists throughout the day or worsens with activity, it's more likely a health issue requiring medical attention.

A worn memory foam mattress (7+ years old), visible sagging, or loss of edge support are other indicators that your mattress is the problem. If you’re uncertain, speak with your doctor; the wrong mattress can contribute to back pain, whereas the right choice can significantly ease discomfort.

What's the distinction between memory foam and latex for seniors?

Memory foam mattresses respond slowly to pressure, creating a "sinking" sensation that can make repositioning difficult—a significant problem for seniors with joint stiffness. Memory foam also retains heat, making it unsuitable for hot sleepers.

Natural latex responds instantly, providing pressure relief while making it easy to change sleeping positions. With improved breathability and longevity, latex mattresses typically last 15–20 years, compared to the shorter 7–10-year lifespan of memory foam. For most seniors seeking the best mattress, latex offers better pressure relief, motion isolation, and long-term value.

Do hybrid mattresses work well for seniors?

Yes. Hybrid mattresses are often the best mattress choice for seniors because they combine pocketed coil support with foam layers or latex comfort layers. This design helps regulate surface temperature, provides sturdy edge support (better than all-foam mattresses), good motion isolation (better than traditional innerspring mattresses), and responsive pressure relief.

Hybrid mattresses are also well-suited for lightweight sleepers and work well with adjustable beds. Our Cumberland and Goldstream hybrid mattresses offer the edge support seniors need for safe sitting and standing, along with the pressure relief required for quality sleep.

Are pillow-top mattresses good for seniors?

Traditional pillow-top mattresses have a reputation for comfort, but they often compress and lose shape within a few years, leaving seniors with inadequate support. The pillow-top layers break down faster than the base layers, creating an uneven sleeping surface.

If you want that plush pillow-top feel, consider a hybrid mattress with a thick latex comfort layer—it provides similar pressure relief without the durability issues. The Cumberland offers pillow-top-style cushioning with latex that maintains its properties for 15+ years.

Final Thoughts

The right mattress can genuinely improve how you feel every day—and play a major role in getting a good night's sleep. For seniors, finding the best mattress means prioritizing pressure relief, ease of movement, amazing edge support, motion isolation, durability, and materials you can trust—not marketing claims or brand names.

Memory foam mattresses may have dominated recommendations for the "best mattress for seniors" for years. But research—including the landmark Lancet study on mattress firmness and ongoing durability testing—supports what many seniors discover firsthand: natural latex and hybrid mattresses offer significant advantages. Better pressure relief, superior temperature regulation, longer lifespan, and easier repositioning make them worth considering.

At Fawcett, we handcraft every mattress on Vancouver Island using natural, sustainable materials. Our team includes people with 30+ years of mattress-making experience who can help you find the right mattress firmness and configuration for your needs.

Ready to sleep better? Visit our showrooms in Victoria or Nanaimo to try our mattresses in person, or contact us for a personalized consultation.

Citations:

[1] https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/fatigue-sleep/sleep-and-pain
[2] https://www.sleepfoundation.org/aging-and-sleep
[3] https://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/
[4] https://bettersleep.org/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14630439/