Best Positioning Pillows for Elderly Users

Do you have an elderly relative with comfort-related issues? When it comes to sleeping, reading, watching TV, relieving joint pains, or sitting up comfortably in bed or a chair, a positioning pillow can play a significant role. 

Positioning pillows provide pain and stress relief, making them excellent for seniors to relax and spend time doing what they love most, be it jigsaws in bed or surfing the net.  

This article looks at the market’s best positioning pillows and what to look for when buying one. But, if you’re in a hurry to shop, here’s our pick of the best positioning pillows for elderly users:

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

9 Best Positioning Pillows For Elder- To Make Your Days and Nights Comfortable

1. Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow— Best Overall

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

The pillow is made to reduce pain by supporting the head, neck, and shoulders and improving posture.  Also known as an anti-snore pillow, the pillow is multifunctional and adjustable. The shape keeps your body at the best angle to solve your breathing and snoring problems. 

Its memory foam material is neither too firm nor too soft, and this ensures it fits the body and maximizes comfort, consequently boosting the resting experience.  

The pillow comes with a breathable and washable cover that can be easily removed and washed when it comes to maintenance. The pillow is easy to carry from one room to another, weighing only 5.5 pounds.

Pros 

• Easy to maintain.
• Uses antibacterial and hypoallergenic material.
• Multifunctional.

Cons

• Temporal chemical smell.

2. DMI Wedge Pillow— Best High-Density Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 22:31

Stuffed with high-density foam, this pillow is soft enough to offer the body needed support. Thanks to this material, the pillow doesn’t wear or tear easily, and it will maintain its shape for a long time.

The pillow also has two support designs—flat and convoluted (egg-crate). The convoluted side provides the necessary support, soft comfort, and increased airflow when sleeping, while the flat side can provide firm support and relief for the legs should it be needed.

The pillow’s zipped poly-cotton cover is easy to wash. The pillow cover also has a Nanotex treatment that provides spill protection through repelling against liquids. 

Pros

• High-density foam.
• Nanotex treatment.
• Removable cover.
• Convoluted side and a flat side.

Cons

• A bit hard for some seniors.

3.Cozy Hut Soft Memory Foam Pillow— Best Memory Grade Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

Thanks to its high-quality memory foam, the pillow retains its half-moon shape. The memory foam also gives the pillow the ability to improve posture, relieve lumbar pressure, protect against lumbar muscles’ strain, and reduce lower back pains. The material is also dust/mite resistant, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic.

The pillow’s super soft velour cover is washable and has moisture absorption abilities, ensuring you sleep cool the entire night. The pillow is also versatile, and you can use it for support while back, tummy, or side sleeping. You can also place it comfortably in-between your legs or under your knees.  

Pros

• It fits and supports any sleeping position.
• Multifunctional.
• Dust/mite resistant.
• Antibacterial and hypoallergenic material.

Cons

• Too low for some customers.

4.InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow— Best Leg Rest Wedge

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

This pillow’s design incorporates a firm foam base topped with a soft memory foam layer that can reduce leg pain, hence improving sleep.

The InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow is the best alternative for leg support after surgery. You can also use it to rest one leg when reading or watching the TV.

According to customers, the pillow’s hard or soft nature can also help with improving blood circulation around the spinal cord.  

Its smooth, comfortable, 100% cotton cover is removable and washable.

Pros

• Firm foam base. 
• Comfortable.

Cons

• Oversized cover.

5. ComfiLife Gel Orthopedic Seat Cushion — Best Coccyx Cushion

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-26 at 04:22

While technically not a pillow, this cushion is orthopedically designed to give extra sitting support for seniors. It relieves the pain caused by coccyx, tailbone, and back injury and allows users to sit comfortably. 

Its memory foam and cooling gel construction relieve the sitting pain caused by herniated discs, and other spinal issues. It is also a good seat cushion for sciatica.

The pillow does not flatten or lose shape easily.  Since it’s portable, you can use it in an office, at home, or even during vacation. The velour cover is washable and easy to maintain.

Pros

• Supports extended sitting.
• Multifunctional.

Cons

• Too big for some elders.

6. Xtra Comfort Bed Wedge Pillow — Best Wedge Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

A 3-in-1 design allows you to comfortably use this wedge-shaped pillow under your head, neck, or at the back of your legs. It’s made of breathable memory foam, which gives the pillow a desirable comfort. 

Its memory foam’s medium-soft nature also offers optimal body support for relieving ailments such as acid reflux and heartburn. 

Along with sleeping, You can use the pillow for reading, reducing pain or improving posture. The pillow comes along with a zippered cover that is easily washable. The cover is made of soft, breathable polyester, making it completely hypoallergenic.

Pros

• Multifunctional.
• Maintainable.
• 3 in 1 design.

Cons

• Weird odor for first days of use.

7. Queen Rose Pillow — Best U-Shaped Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

This pillow has a unique design. It’s ergonomic and U-shaped, enabling it to fit the natural body structure.

While primarily designed for pregnant women, it offers good total body support for arthritic joints or relief for sciatica and other back pain. It’s also portable enough to carry, allowing you to use the pillow anywhere for reading, watching TV, or sleeping.  

It comes with an easy to remove, washable velvet pillow cover.

Pros

• Suitable for arthritic elders.
• Easy to maintain.

Cons

• Short for some heights

8. Linenspa Shredded Foam Pillow — Best Back Supporting Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-25 at 17:13

This is a back supporting pillow that’s filled with shredded memory foam.  Ideal for older adults, it allows users to sit comfortably, especially on the couch and in bed. The size is extra-large, making it perfect for supporting the neck and back when watching TV, reading, or relaxing. 

Another cool feature is its adjustable neck support pillow which blends well with the comfort and support aspect. This is a detachable feature, so it also enables you to use it as a leg cushion. It comes with a durable and soft cover that is made from washable velour fabric. 

Pros

• Adjustable neck support.
• Detachable.
• Multifunction.

Cons

• Easily gets wrinkled

9. ComfiLife Premium Orthopedic Knee Pillow — Best Knee Pillow

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-04-26 at 01:50

Ergonomically designed, the ComfiLife orthopedic knee pillow can sort many elderly positional problems. The pillow supports targeted areas, including the knees, hips and back, to relieve pressure and reduce various forms of pain. 

The contoured “girder” shaped pillow is made of high-density memory foam with a breathable cover that’s easily removed for cleaning. Its ergonomic design keeps the user’s hip, spine and legs perfectly aligned during the night, which improves blood circulation.

Pros

• High-quality, long-lasting material.
• Relieves various body pressures.
• Less weight, meaning you can easily move it around.

Cons

• Too short for some.

How to Choose the Best Positioning Pillow

If you don’t know which pillow you should buy, here is a guide to help you decide. 

Types of Positioning Pillows

We advise you to choose the type of positioning pillows according to your health conditions and sleeping positions.

The typical types include wedge pillow for back and legs, knee pillow for hip, back, and hip, seat cushion for coccyx and sciatica, and U-shape pillow for tummy and side sleeper.

Which Type of Materials Should You Consider?

The best positioning pillows have specialist fillings such as fiber padding, shredded foam, memory foam, microbeads, gel, or even water, which are used to provide enhanced support for the pillow’s target areas. 

Features for Positioning Pillows for Elderly

There are six features that you should consider when buying positioning pillows for seniors.

Cooling Technology

A conductive gel layer is often incorporated into good quality positioning pillows to absorb and circulate the heat from the neck and head. This cooling technology reduces the build-up of heat and moisture to improve sleep significantly.

Waterproof

If you live in a humid or hot region, a water-resistant pillow will avoid water accumulation within its fibers, which can lead to mildew and cause breathing difficulties. Slipcover or waterproof positioning pillows are the preferred alternatives in these instances.

Washable

Choose a pillow with covers that are easily removed to clean regularly. The pillow should be washable also. 

Comfort

A positioning pillow should provide you with not only support but comfort too. Avoid buying a pillow that is too soft or too hard. They may give an initially added relief, but the chances are that they will start to become uncomfortable after extended use. . 

A quality memory foam pillow molds to your shape and supports the areas it’s designed to. When sleeping, memory foam will maintain the alignment of your spine for comfortable and healthy rest. 

Ventilation System

If you tend to turn onto your tummy during sleep and subsequently end up burying your head in your pillow, a breathable pillow will not hinder your ability to breathe and, therefore, not disturb your sleep.

Hypoallergenic Fill and Antimicrobial Microfiber

Poorly designed positioning pillows without hypoallergenic or antimicrobial qualities allow bacteria growth that can irritate allergies and be hazardous to health.

FAQs

Conclusion

As we get older, our bodies tend to be casualties of tear and wear. But this does not mean that you cannot live a quality life. Investing in one of our selection of best positioning pillows for the elderly can improve the quality of sleep or relaxation and bring pain relief to those suffering from arthritis, sciatica, or other back and joint ailments.

Our selection for the best positioning pillow is the Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow. This versatile pillow can help alleviate various conditions and has all the features you could or want or need—with a memory foam filling, washable cover, and a great price.

The DMI Wedge Pillow came in a close second. It provides support, aids breathing, and can alleviate pain and enhance your sleep quality.