Lowered my bed by 6 inches

[leehljp]

We came back from Japan just before Christmas in 2010. While we had beds in our house back here, we (my wife) decided she wanted new bedroom furniture including a bed (queen) for us. Well she chose some good furniture but the bed was a typical modern type of bed that is roughly 31 inches high at the mattress top level. Her three sisters and our three daughters also have this type (height) bed/mattress. I never liked it as it is overkill and hard on elderly to get into, as I saw us quickly getting there.

Yesterday, while LOML was visiting our daughter in anther state, I took the mattress and bed springs off, cut 2 sheets of sanded 3/4" plywood and made better mid frame support and put the mattress topper on top. In effect I lowered it 6 inches. The box springs (if you call it than now) were 8 inches but I did build up the base by 2 inches, which in effect lowered the mattress by 6 inches. LOML is 5 ft tall and has been complaining about how hard it is/was to get into bed. She had a step stool but we found out how dangerous that could be when she missed the step at our daughter's house earlier this summer, and fell. She didn't hurt herself but even wide bedside steps like we have at home can be dangerous.

When LOML got home this afternoon from helping our daughter this past week, the first thing she wanted to do was see if she could get into bed without having to "climb" in. She is happy.

BTW, It is not easy for a 78 year old mid size person to handle big queen size mattresses and box springs. It isn't like I was 30 for sure!

I did this (took the box springs out and added 3/4" plywood in the base to support the mattress for my then 81 or 82 year old mom in 2000. Mom was very happy with that.

Anyone else dislike those "tall' beds that you have to "climb into" when you get old and are not tall?

[capncarl]

Our bed was too tall as well! It was a Temper pedic with the adjustable base. The adjustable base was on my request to raise my head for acid reflux. The bed had 6 or 8” legs with casters. I was able to unscrew the legs and screw the casters back in the same holes, dropping the bed 6 inches.

I’ve had several people ask me to build them a small step stool to use to get on and off the bed. Nope, can’t do it, if you need a ladder to get in and out of bed you have the wrong bed. A too tall bed is a good way to break a bone or 2.

[leehljp]

" if you need a ladder to get in and out of bed you have the wrong bed. A too tall bed is a good way to break a bone or 2."

I never could figure out the purpose of high beds. They never made sense to me,

[jacobs]

Lowering the bed with plywood sounds like a smart and practical solution, especially for comfort and safety as we age, and I think iPass Illinois could help with any service or account questions you might have while managing home or travel logistics, offering clear guidance and support online, so you can focus on small improvements like making beds easier to use.