Moving into assisted living is a significant change in your loved one’s life as they are moving from home to a new environment. One way to make your loved one feels comfortable with the new environment is by helping them decorate their new assisted living apartment. Helping them create a space that is inviting and personal will help them feel at home in their assisted living apartment with ease.
You don’t have to be an interior decorator or design genius to help your loved one create a space they will love. All you need is to involve them in your plans for decorating their new home. This will help you figure out the color scheme they want for their apartment. Below are a few tips to help you out.
Plan Ahead Before Moving
You have to start planning the interior decoration and designs of your loved one’s new apartment. This will give you more time to think about what to do and how to decorate the apartment. You can check through the senior living apartments available in the assisted living community so you can sketch out a realistic floor plan for your loved one’s new home. It will also help you determine the sizes of furniture suitable for the apartment.
Decorate with Their Personal Belongings
The best way to help your loved one feel comfortable and at home with their new apartment is by decorating it with their personal belongings. These are items from their previous home that they cherish such as their favorite teacups, antiques, a comfortable quilt, and others. These things may seem simple and not necessary, but they may be just what your loved one needs to feel more at home.
Downsize on Old Items
Even though personal items have sentimental values that give your loved one an easy transition into their new apartment, you don’t have to move all old personal items into their new home. For example, that wobbly chair and broken lamps should go. You can downsize by selling off, giving out, or donating what you no longer need and can’t be moved to the new home.
Personalize the Décor
Since this is your loved one’s home now, you should personalize the decor in a way that represents their style and character. Seek their guidance in terms of the color scheme they want for the apartment. Colors can help to outline and brighten the apartment, as an elder’s eyesight tends to fade as they age.
Don’t be afraid to explore color schemes if your loved one suffers from memory loss as color can help to improve mood and outlook. It can also help them recall some memories. Use colors like blue and green for soothing and relaxation, and yellow for optimism. You can also personalize the decoration with family pictures, artwork, throw pillows, blankets, and so on.
Don’t Forget Functionality and Convenience
As you decorate your loved one’s space, ensure that you prioritize functionality and convenience. Organize their apartment in a way that is practical to avoid cluttering up the apartment—which can pose a risk to your loved one’s safety. Below are some things to put in place:
- Place the furniture properly according to the apartment’s layout
- Leave enough space for your loved one to navigate and walk freely
- Keep all regularly used items in easy reach
- Tape the stairs with non-slip adhesive tape
- Get the apartment well lit to avoid accidental bumps and trips
Once you have styled your loved one’s assisted living apartment, it’s time for them to move in and embrace their new home.