Ways to Turn an Assisted Living Home into Their Home

Moving from a house, apartment, townhome, or other domicile to assisted living can certainly be a wonderful elder care option. This is especially true for those who are dealing with physical challenges, mobility limitations, or who are struggling with chronic health concerns.

Making the move to assisted living could be an exciting endeavor, something the senior is hopeful about and remains looking forward to. However, for some it could be an anxiety provoking experience, especially when they don’t know enough about it.

In this post we will look at 3 ways you can help your seniors settle in easier into their new surroundings, and ease some of the nervousness. 

In order to make that room more comfortable and feel like home, here are a few ideas that may help. 

1. Encoursge Them to Bring along the right personal photos.

These could be in frames that the senior places on their nightstand. They could also be frames that they could hang on the wall (but you may need permission to put holes in the wall).

Some of these photos could even be the digital kind. There are cubes and even digital frames you could pick up for relatively little expense from a variety of stores that hold a number of pictures in them. Those frames or cubes would then display the pictures at random intervals and with different special effects.

Just be wary that if a resident is sharing a bedroom that their personal items is not offensive or encroaching on another resident's personal space. 

2. Have a comfortable chair handy

This might be a recliner or a reading chair. At MDSL we always encourage our seniors to bring furniture (provided it is senior safe or not too burdensome) into their bedroom. Having comfortable chairs (or allowing them to bring their favorite) is also a wonderful asset that makes their room feel cozier, and more like home.

Space is going to be limited in an assisted living bedroom, especially for those who had been living in a larger house or apartment for many years. However, a small chair may be a reasonable addition and if it’s one the senior finds comfortable, all the better!

3. Consider decorative touches.

This may include a painting or two, or perhaps even a lamp. If the senior enjoys fish or a plants, figure otu a way to incorporate them if they are safe to do so. 

There are many ways you as an RAL owner can make seniors feel more comfortable and more like home like as they transition into your home. This will help them relax and release undue anxiety and burden.