If a bed is too low or too high, it can contribute to falls. Low beds can be too difficult to get out of without help or side-rails. When a bed is too high, it can cause you to slip. According to the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, an appropriate height for an elderly person’s bed is between 20-23 inches when measured from the floor to the top of the mattress. Of course, there can be exceptions, depending on your height and leg length. Once you think you have the right height, you can confirm by sitting on the mattress with your feet on the floor. If your hips are lower or higher than your knees, it means further adjustment is required.