Personalizing your loved one’s accommodations can help ease the transition to assisted living. Doing so allows them to maintain their autonomy and establishes a sense of belonging in a new place.
Why Is a Welcoming Environment Important?
Making the move to assisted living can be overwhelming, especially if your loved one has lived on their own for a long time. It’s important to prioritize comfort as they get acquainted with their community. Feeling at home can positively impact your loved one’s emotional well-being and reduce anxiety, depression and social isolation.
Cater to Diverse Needs
Create a space that suits your loved one’s physical needs, especially if they’ve experienced a change in mobility. Creating a residence that’s designed for their needs will make it feel like their room is more their own.
Depending on your loved one’s needs, senior living communities will integrate safety features to ensure they have what they need to feel secure. Senior living communities often have open-concept floor plans and neutral décor to allow your senior to customize their room to their liking.
Create Functional and Cozy Common Areas
Socialization is crucial for seniors, so setting up a comfortable spot where they can get to know their new neighbors can help them stay engaged.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Create a sitting area where people can gather.
- Face chairs and couches toward each other to support face-to-face communication.
- Add multi-functional furniture that can be used for meals and group activities.
- Provide various styles of seating to suit different physical needs.
- Use lamps to create a well-lit space.
- Layer pillows and blankets for pops of color or patterns.
Incorporate Greenery
Growing indoor plants can positively impact your loved one’s mood. Plants improve air quality and help regulate humidity, which is essential for seniors with respiratory health issues.
Adding greenery is a cost-effective way to bring color into your senior’s living environment and give them plants to tend throughout the year if they love gardening.
Encourage Personalization
Bring your loved one’s furniture, books, photographs and other personal items. Seeing their favorite possessions in their apartment or suite may help the environment seem less foreign as they adjust.
Putting their belongings in their room may make it feel more like a home than just a place where they live. Move furniture around, place pictures and hang curtains that suit your loved one’s preferences.
Consider Safety
Keep walkways clear of electrical cords, furniture and rugs to reduce your loved one’s risk of tripping or falling. Place rugs on hardwood or tile floors to provide traction in slippery areas. Install non-slip bath or shower mats and handrails in the bathroom so your senior can move safely.
Use Lighting Effectively
Lighting impacts ambiance, and fluorescent overhead lighting might make a room feel like a hospital or clinic.
Use natural light to brighten your loved one’s space. Open curtains or shades during the day and hang mirrors across from windows to reflect more light. Allowing natural lighting in can also boost their mood and regulate their circadian rhythm.
Use lamps to create a softer glow and light common areas and places for indoor activities. A well-lit room is also essential if your loved one has vision loss.
Add Art and Décor
Hanging artwork, pictures and décor is an easy way to customize your senior’s living arrangements. Their belongings tell their story and can serve as a conversation starter as they get to know other residents.
Display crafts and creations, including paintings, pottery and sculptures. Include family heirlooms and items with sentimental value to add meaning and personality to their bedroom and common areas.
Customizable Suites at Embassy Healthcare
Are you looking for a comfortable senior living community that offers comprehensive services and support? Embassy Healthcare has assisted living and independent living facilities in Florida, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Call 216-378-2050 to learn more about our services and schedule a tour.
