Best Sofa Beds for Elderly People & Limited Mobility

The best sofa bed for an elderly person or someone with limited mobility has a seat at around knee height, sturdy arms to push up from, a supportive rather than squashy seat, and a mechanism that doesn't need heavy lifting. We'd look for a seat height of about 46 to 51 cm, as seats that are too low are hard to stand up from. The easiest way to know whether a sofa bed suits someone is to have them try sitting down, standing up and opening it at home.

In this article, we'll cover the features that make a sofa bed easier to sit on, stand up from and open, compare the most common mechanisms, and show how our Koala Sofa Bed measures up.

Key Takeaways

• Look for a seat height of about 46 to 51 cm, which makes sitting down and standing up easier.

• Sturdy arms and a supportive seat help, as very soft cushions make it harder to push yourself up.

• Choose a mechanism that opens without lifting a heavy metal frame, and try opening and closing it yourself before you commit.

• A medium-firm mattress is often a better choice than a very firm one for people with lower back pain.

• Test it at home if you can. A trial period lets you check how it feels for the person who'll use it most.

What Makes a Sofa Bed Easier to Use

A sofa bed is easier for an older or less mobile person to use when it's easy to sit on, easy to stand up from and easy to open. We'd look at four things in particular, which are the seat height, the firmness of the seat, the height and strength of the arms, and the effort needed to open the bed.

Seat height matters most, followed by cushion firmness and armrests, which is the same order senior living designers put them in. Sturdy arms at the right height help people rise without strain, and a straight, supportive back helps with posture.

We'd also think about the bed itself. Check how much floor space it needs when open, whether there's room to walk around it safely, and whether the person can get in and out of bed comfortably once it's made up.

Seat Height

A sofa bed should have a seat that sits at around knee height. It is recommended that the seat sits about 46 to 51 cm from the floor. If the seat is too low, it's hard to stand up, and if it's too high, sitting down can feel unsafe.

A good seat height lets you sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a right angle. Most sofa seats are 40 to 50 cm high, and a higher seat of about 45 to 50 cm puts less strain on the knees and hips. Many click-clack and futon-style sofa beds sit lower, at around 35 to 40 cm, so check the measurements before you buy.

Seat depth matters too. A very deep seat means you sit further back, which can make it harder to shift forward and stand. If the person you're buying for is shorter or has limited strength, we'd suggest a cushion behind their back to help them sit closer to the edge.

Firm vs Soft Support

A supportive seat is usually easier to get up from than a very soft one. Senior Lifestyle, a senior living provider, advises avoiding overly soft cushions, because sinking into the seat makes it harder to rise. A seat that's too firm can feel uncomfortable, though. We'd suggest a seat that balances comfort and support.

For the mattress, firmer isn't always better. In a study of 313 adults with chronic lower back pain, people who slept on a medium-firm mattress reported less pain and disability than those on a firm mattress. If the person using the bed has back or hip pain, we'd start with a supportive, medium-firm feel, but everyone is different, so it's best to try it.

Comparing Opening Mechanisms

The mechanism has a big effect on how easy a sofa bed is to open, especially for someone with limited strength or sore joints. We've compared the most common types below.

So is a click-clack or pull-out easier for someone with limited strength? A click-clack usually takes less effort to open, but it often sits low, which can make getting in and out of bed harder. A pull-out usually gives a better bed, but lifting the frame can be hard work. Whichever you choose, we always recommend the person who'll use it tries opening and closing it themselves.

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Our Sofa Bed for Easier Everyday Use

We designed the Koala Sofa Bed to be simple to use, with a FlipBed™ design that goes from sofa to bed in one smooth flip. There's no metal frame to lift and no seat cushions to take off. In a hands-on review of the US version, the tester converted it from sofa to bed in 12 seconds after a few practice runs.

This is how it compares on the points we've covered.

• • Seat height. Our seat is 46 cm high, at the lower end of the range we recommend.

  • Arms. The arms are 58 cm high, giving you something sturdy to push up from.

  • Seat depth. Our plush 60 cm seats are deep and made for lounging, so some people may prefer a cushion behind their back to sit closer to the edge.

  • Mattress. The bed is a full-size Kloudcell® mattress with a plush integrated topper. One reviewer found it firmer than she expected, which suits people who like a supportive bed.

The flip does take a little effort. One customer with arthritis shared on our 120-day trial page that she found it hard to turn the bed back into a sofa, and our team arranged a collection and a full refund. That's why we'd always suggest trying it at home first. Our 120-day trial gives you time to see how it works for everyone in your household.

• • Compare our sofa beds to find the size that suits your space.

  • Find a space-saving sofa bed for a smaller room.

  • Explore a designer sofa bed that looks at home in any living room.

  • See why ours is a sofa bed for families when grandparents come to stay.

  • Read sofa bed reviews from our customers.

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Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

What makes a sofa bed easier for an older person to use?

A sofa bed is easier for an older person to use when it has a seat at around knee height, sturdy arms to push up from, a supportive seat that doesn't sink too much, and a mechanism that doesn't need heavy lifting. We'd put seat height first, followed by cushion firmness and armrests, as these matter most for easy sitting and standing.

How high should a sofa bed be to get in and out of easily?

We recommend a sofa bed seat about 46 to 51 cm from the floor. This lets most people sit with their feet flat and knees at roughly a right angle, making it easier to stand. Many click-clack and futon-style sofa beds sit lower, at around 35 to 40 cm, so check the seat height before you buy.

Are click-clack or pull-out sofa beds easier for someone with limited strength?

A click-clack sofa bed usually takes less effort to open than a pull-out, as you only fold the back down rather than lifting a metal frame. The downside is that click-clacks often sit low, which can make getting in and out of bed harder. Pull-outs usually give a better mattress but take more strength to open. The best choice is a mechanism the person can manage on their own, so we'd always suggest trying it before you commit.

Does a firmer mattress matter more for older backs and hips?

A supportive mattress matters, but firmer isn't always better. In a study of adults with chronic lower back pain, a medium-firm mattress reduced pain and disability more than a firm one. For sofa bed seats, a supportive cushion is also easier to stand up from than a very soft one. If back or hip pain is a concern, it's worth speaking to a GP or physiotherapist too.