For so long, we've been sold different lies about aging. A common one? That poor-quality sleep is a normal part of getting older.
While it’s true that roughly half of seniors don’t sleep well, age isn't one of the several culprits in that story. Unsuitable bedding is.
We know you can’t meet every special need the body develops later in life. But getting the small details right, like choosing the best bedding for elderly persons in your care, can help them enjoy deeper, healthier slumber. The question, then, is what makes bedding truly right for elderly individuals?
Best Sheets for Older Sleepers
Bedsheets made of sateen and percale help elderly individuals enjoy restful sleep.
1. Sateen Sheets
Sateen is a breathable cotton fabric. It's crafted by passing one warp thread over several weft threads before interlacing it with the next warp thread. This pattern is called a satin weave, and it creates fewer crossover points. Researchers from KSU’s Department of Design found that this structure gives sateen its naturally smooth, cozy feel.
Why Older Adults Love Sateen Sheets:
- Soft and Warm: A study published in the Journal of Indoor Air showed that older adults slept more soundly at 27°C than at 30°C. In simple terms, a well-ventilated room paired with naturally insulating sateen sheets can help create a more comfortable sleep environment for aging bodies.
- Gentle on Itchy Skin: Sateen, being one of the smoothest cotton fabrics, is a good choice for older adults who have itchy or sensitive skin. We know this because the American Academy of Dermatology recommends 100% cotton bedsheets for people dealing with eczema.
- Low Friction: Having limited mobility is bad, but developing pressure sores because your bedsheets are tugging at your skin is worse. Curtis University’s Wound Healing and Management Center has discovered that using low-friction bed linen helps reduce the risk of these ulcers. And by design, sateen bedsheets glide against the skin, making movement in bed easier.
- Fewer Sound Micro-Triggers: Of all the fabrics tested in the Journal of Natural Fibers study, satin-weave ones were the least stiff. This implies that they're less likely to rustle and disrupt sleep.
Shop our sateen sheet set bundle now.
2. Percale Sheets
Like sateen, percale is made from cotton. But instead of a satin weave, it's crafted with a plain weave. In other words, warp thread 1 goes over weft thread A, under weft thread B, over weft thread C, under weft thread D, and so on. The next warp thread does the opposite (starts under weft thread A, then over weft thread B, alternating again). The result of weaving fine, high-thread-count cotton in an over-under pattern of warp and weft at every intersection is what we market as percale.
Why Older Adults Love Percale Sheets:
- Cool and Perfect for Hot Sleepers: The Journal of Natural Fibers reports that plain weave allows heat to escape quickly. This proves that percale sheets actively prevent overheating, which often interrupts an older adult's sleep.
- Soften Over Time: After the first few washes, percale sheets transition from crispy to buttery soft. However, they never stop being gentle on the skin.
- Tolerate Hot Washing: We don't recommend washing percale sheets with hot water (≥60°C) every time, especially if you want to preserve the integrity of the fibers for a long while. But as a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests, an occasional hot wash to kill any dust mites and pet allergens won't harm percale sheets.
- Durable: An article by an assistant professor from the Department of Fabric Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Textiles noted that plain-weave cotton fabrics are less prone to pilling. In other words, they don’t form those tiny, fuzzy balls that make fabric look worn. This means percale sheets can handle frequent washing and still look fresh for years.
Shop our percale sheet set bundle now.
Other Sheet Materials Older Persons Sometimes Choose:
- Bamboo-Derived Rayon: Rayon or viscose fibers obtained from bamboo stalks are silky-soft and lightweight. They're also highly absorbent.
- Wool: Wool fibers aren’t straight and smooth like cotton. However, they can soak up a large amount of moisture without ever feeling damp.
- Flannel: Flannel is a thick fabric made by brushing cotton or wool until it's soft and slightly fuzzy. Because flannel retains so much heat, it's not as breathable as cotton. And although it absorbs moisture readily, it tends to dry slowly due to its dense texture.
- Silk: Silk justifies its high cost by being exceptionally smooth. It's also decently good at absorbing moisture (can take up to 11% of moisture of its own weight under normal conditions).
What Features Define the Best Bedding for Elderly Individuals?
Here are features to help you tell whether the bedding you choose will help a senior get a good night’s rest:
1. Lightweight and Easy to Handle
Heavy or bulky bedding, especially duvets or blankets, can cause joint pain if an elderly sleeper has limited mobility. The safest options are easy to lift and fold.
How to Assess:
- Lift and Fold: If you're shopping in-store, lift the bedding. Test how easily you can shake or fold it.
- Check GSM (Grams Per Square Meter): Most year-round duvets weigh 300–600 GSM. Thicker options, such as down-alternative inserts, can provide fluffy comfort for seniors who feel cold easily or stay in cold rooms.
2. Excellent Temperature Regulation
As we grow older, our bodies become weaker at regulating our internal temperature. Seniors need bedding made of high-quality materials that prevent overheating or chill. So what kind of fabric offers that balance? Many older sleepers enjoy sheets made of percale because of how well it balances body temperature all night long.
How to Assess:
- Look Beyond Labels: You'll often see bedding items advertised with terms like “breathable,” “moisture-wicking,” or “temperature-balancing.” But check the material details to make sure that they match the claims. For example, a sateen sheet promising “silky-soft comfort” will most likely provide extra warmth.
3. Sweat-Wicking and Odor-Resistant
Night sweats or mild incontinence may not be within a senior's control. That doesn't mean that they should endure the discomfort, skin irritation, and hygiene issues common with these conditions. You know bedding will work for an older person when it can manage humidity and resist odor buildup.
How to Assess:
- Read Absorbency Data: Before taking any discounted (or full price) deals, do some research on the moisture-absorbing capacity of the bedding materials. For instance, long-staple cotton, the kind used in all of Doze’s bedding bundles, wicks away moisture more evenly and leaves the user feeling less clammy. Short-staple cotton doesn't do as fine a job.
- Check for Certifications: OEKO-TEX or GOTS-certified fabrics usually resist bacterial buildup better.
4. Gentle on the Skin
Skin-friendly fabrics stay smooth and lotion-soft even after weeks of use.
How to Assess:
- Run Your Palm Across It: The bedding shouldn't feel rough, but it shouldn't be too plush either.
- Look at the Weave Type: The kind of weave used to craft the fabric will tell you a lot about the bedding’s texture. For instance, percale pillowcases are crisp and cool, while sateen ones are smooth and soft.
5. Easy to Maintain
Whether a senior lives by themselves or in a care home, having bedding that's easy to maintain can make a big difference in their comfort levels.
How to Assess:
- Machine Washable: Older adults need the best duvet inserts and pillowcases that don't have to be washed by hand.
- Closure Systems: A duvet cover with a single-end opening or many tiny buttons may be pretty, but the work that has to be done to use it isn't. Elderly individuals need bedding with wide-access openings. Doze’s percale and sateen duvet cover unzips along three sides, so it's a good example of what a duvet cover for seniors should be like.
6. Stays Firmly in Place
Anything that bunches or shifts with the slightest movement has no place on the bed of someone in their later years. The best sheets for elderly persons hug the mattress instead of lying loose.
How to Assess:
- Tug Test: Pull one end of the fitted sheet over a mattress edge to test the elastic. If it stretches snugly and springs back, it’s the right fit.
- Depth Check: For twin or twin XL beds, choose sheets labeled 15-18 inches deep. Queen and king mattresses are deeper than standard ones, so look for fitted sheets with at least 20 inches of pocket depth.
[Image by Digitalskillet on Canva.]
Best Bedding for Specific Sleep Conditions
Different sleep conditions call for different bedding solutions. Here's a quick guide to help.
Arthritis & Chronic Pain
Primary Bedding Goal: To relieve pressure on joints.
Our Recommendations:
- Memory Foam Toppers: Cushion sore joints.
- Down Alternative Duvets: Retain warmth.
- Sateen Sheets: As soft, breathable base layers that prevent overheating.
Night Sweats & Thermoregulation Issues
Primary Bedding Goal: To keep the temperature of the sleep environment stable all night.
Our Recommendations:
- Percale Sheets: Wick away moisture from the senior’s skin.
- Wool Mattress Pads or Toppers: Absorb moisture without feeling damp.
- Lightweight Wool or Down Duvets: Trap enough air to stay warm while letting excess heat and moisture escape.
- Gel-infused Toppers: Reduce heat buildup in foam mattresses.
- Percale Pillowcases: Prevent overheating.
Limited Mobility
Primary Bedding Goal: To make it easier for the elderly person to move or adjust their positions in bed.
Our Recommendations:
- Sateen Sheets: Help minimize joint strain when the sleeper turns or shifts.
- Lightweight Duvets: Keep them warm without weighing them down.
Pressure Sensitivity
Primary Bedding Goal: To keep the skin from getting sore or sweaty.
Our Recommendations:
- Memory Foam Toppers: Contour to the body's shape. This prevents too much pressure from being placed on any single area, like the hips or shoulders. That helps stop those spots from feeling sore.
- Sateen Sheets: So that the body slides more easily over the bed. This way, the skin won't rub against rough fabric.
- Wool Pads: Absorb sweat without dampening quickly.
Incontinence
Primary Bedding Goal: To keep the bed clean and the skin dry.
Our Recommendation:
- Percale Sheets: Soft, breathable, and easy to wash often. Fit neatly over absorbent or waterproof mattress protectors.
Note: Add an easy-change duvet to your bedding setup. Our award-winning duvet cover opens on three sides with a long zipper, so you don’t have to crawl inside or wrestle with fabric corners. It also has inner fasteners that align with fastener openings on our down-alternative insert. And if the senior in your care already owns an insert (or prefers one made from a different fabric), you can easily attach it to the cover using snap adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Healthiest Bedding For Elderly People to Sleep On?
The healthiest bedding is made from materials that support comfort and hygiene through the night, such as sateen and percale. A combination of a fitted and flat sheet, a waterproof mattress cover, and a top layer (like a wool or down duvet) can help improve the sleep and well-being of many seniors.
How Often Should Seniors Change Their Bed Sheets?
Change bedding for older persons at least once a week. If they sweat at night or deal with mild bed wetting, don't wait that long. Use a mattress cover and an absorbent pad as protective layers in situations where doing laundry that often might be impractical.
What Helps Older People Sleep Better?
Older people sleep comfortably in conducive bedrooms, on supportive mattresses, and under quality bedding made of suitable materials. If the senior in your care struggles with insomnia, they may benefit from a new mattress, a change in bedding, or simple adjustments to their sleeping environment.
Conclusion
Bedding for older sleepers should be breathable, easy to care for, and designed with practical features that make daily routines simpler. At Doze, we’ve focused on getting all of that right. Each product in our collection is crafted to eliminate the small but frustrating challenges that often come with handling bedding.
Everything about Doze bedding is designed for comfort, convenience, and long-term ease. These are all qualities that genuinely support restful sleep in later life.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. (2023). Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis skin care.
- Aygün, H. H. (2022). Effect of pattern on air permeability, mechanical resistance, and thickness of wovens. International Advanced Research and Engineering Journal, 6(1), 26–33.
- Haesler, E. (2020). Evidence summary: Low-friction fabric for preventing pressure injuries. Wound Practice and Research, 28(2), 97–98.
- Meyer, P., Andersson, M., Persson, C. G. A., & Greiff, L. (2003). Steroid-sensitive indices of airway inflammation in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 14(1), 60–65.
- Ren, L., Shi, Y., Xu, R., Wang, C., Guo, Y., Yue, H., Ni, Z., Sha, X., & Chen, Y. (2023). Effect of mattress bedding layer structure on pressure relief performance and subjective lying comfort. Journal of Tissue Viability, 32(1), 9–19.
- Tastan, E., Akgun, M., Gurarda, A., & Omeroglu, S. (2017). Investigation of the effect of different structural parameters of cotton woven fabrics on their air permeability. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 254(18).
- Winegar, R. (2024). Promoting healthy sleep among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 58, 298–303.
- Yan, Y., Zhang, H., Kang, M., Lan, L., Wang, Z., & Lin, Y. (2022). Experimental study of the negative effects of raised bedroom temperature and reduced ventilation on the sleep quality of elderly subjects. Indoor Air, 32(11).
- Akter, S. (2017). An investigation on different physical properties of cotton woven fabrics. International Journal of Engineering Research and Application, 7(1, Part-2), 5–10.