Making an Assisted Living Facility Address Feel Like Home
Are you or your loved one thinking about moving into assisted living but want to maintain a personal style? Are you wondering how this will fit in at senior living communities?
Don’t worry. A few simple, yet powerful decorating tips can make a big difference.
Maybe you won’t be able to do an overhaul like you see on the HGTV shows, but that’s okay—it’s not needed. You’ll be surprised how some of the simplest elements can make a huge difference.
What Is Assisted Living?
Before getting started, let’s take a look at what assisted living is and how to create a homelike environment in a smaller space.
Assisted living is a type of long-term care that provides assistance with daily tasks—such as cleaning, cooking and maintenance—while still giving residents a level of independence.
Many prefer to reside in senior living communities because they:
- Provide various levels of care
- Offer a wide range of activities
- Provide meals
- Maximize independence
- Eliminate the need for home maintenance
- Give the opportunity to make new friends
- Provide transportation
Assisted living facilities, such as West Bladen, also have memory care units to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Making An New Assisted Living Facility Feel Like Home
You may be surprised to know that often, it’s the small touches that can make a big difference in décor, and you or your loved one don’t have to sacrifice style to take advantage of the conveniences of assisted living.
The following are some helpful tips.
First, downsize.
One of the reasons assisted living facilities are growing in popularity is that they offer convenience and lower maintenance than traditional home living. Many welcome the opportunity to “downsize” and eliminate clutter around their current living space.
If your loved one is moving into an assisted living facility, be sure that he or she is involved in making some of the downsizing choices of what to keep and what to store, sell or donate. Also, be sure that he or she has a voice in the overall design of the space.
Use lighting to create a mood.
Harsh lighting can seem cold and uninspired. By simply utilizing pretty lamps around the room, you can illuminate the room effectively without harsh light.
Make the most of personal touches.
Whether you or your loved one is moving, a few personal items can make a huge difference in the new location. Photographs can be tastefully framed and arranged on the wall, connecting the resident with happy, loving memories of family and friends. Keepsakes can be on display or even framed in shadow boxes.
Ensure that the room is easy to navigate.
No one wants to bump into the sharp corner of a coffee table, so when you’re decorating the new home, leave the coffee table out. Instead, opt for furniture that makes it easier to navigate around the room.
Oval or round tables can be a good choice because there are no sharp corners, and it’s much easier to move around them. Utilizing side tables instead of a coffee table will work too.
Make sure there’s room for company.
One of the advantages of senior living communities is that they give a chance to make new friends. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a space to entertain, whether inviting new friends over for cards or coffee.
Select outstanding bedding.
A bright, colorful and tasteful bedding can make a huge difference in the feel of a room. Make it inviting with interesting patterns and different textures. Throw in a decorative blanket for a final touch.
Leave room for a hobby area.
Certainly, our community at West Bladen offers a wide variety of classes, game nights and other events. But sometimes, you or your loved one may want to have space in your own area to work on your favorite hobbies. Be sure to dedicate a space to this fun activity.
See Why West Bladen Offers the Best in Assisted Living
We understand that moving to a new location can be stressful, whether you’re the one making the transition or your loved one is searching for a new place to call home. We want to assure you that we truly treat residents like family here, and our friendly staff ensures that everyone understands that they are valued.
Don’t take our word for it. We’d love to invite you on a tour of our community to show you why our residents love calling West Balden home. Contact us to reserve your space today.