Transitioning to an assisted senior living community can make you feel like you’re in a foreign place and leave you somewhat unsettled. For some, it can take several days or even months to adjust to the new home.
An excellent way to avoid this feeling is to add some personal flair to your new home. Find ways to make yourself comfortable and, more importantly, accommodate your lifestyle and needs. You don’t have to make significant adjustments, but small details will help create a smooth transition. Experts recommend the following tips for making your new space your own:
Adjust the Furniture
Furniture not only improves the appearance of your home but also adds comfort. When shopping for furniture, first consider the size of the space and get the measurements right. Consider purchasing non-glass furniture to prevent severe injuries in case of a fall. For extra comfort, you can get some reclining furniture like chairs or sofas as they help enhance blood circulation and relieve pressure on the body. When you’re looking at assisted living options in Illinois, make sure to ask if you can bring this type of furniture in though as some places have rules prohibiting certain furniture.
Also, it would be good to incorporate multifunctional furniture as it is stylish and will help save up lots of floor space and maintain a tidy home. You can buy specific multifunctional furniture for seniors, including built-in storage, drop leaf tables, foldable chairs, etc. Eventually, you will also have saved up more money by purchasing some of these.
Add Greenery
Bringing the outdoor environment to your home will benefit a senior if mobility is only limited to the indoor space. Apart from that, plants generally improve a home’s air quality and balance the house and the outside world. You can also put up some artificial plants to add color to your home since they require little to no maintenance.
Add Vibrant but Light Colors
Does the new home look dull? The choice of color that you choose for a home sends a message to anyone who steps foot into it. Studies have proven that bright colors such as red and blue have a significant overall boost to your mood, healing, and ease unnecessary tension.
Additionally, vibrant colors also make the new home look and feel bigger. You can paint different colors for different rooms to help them easily distinguish other rooms without much struggle. Alternatively, you can also paint the walls and the floor with bold but contrasting colors to make the home more colorful.
Have Adequate Lighting
Although color plays a huge role in helping seniors distinguish different rooms, good lighting is paramount to ensure safety. Due to most elders lessening visual capacity, consistent lighting throughout the space will come in handy too to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe in the new home. Don’t forget to add some lamps, especially around the room’s dark corners, to make them visible and accessible.
Declutter the Space
Decluttering is a good cleaning method and a great self-care practice for seniors. Decluttering the room ensures that one can move around freely without tripping over things and improving air quality. Furthermore, clearing clutter improves your overall well-being by keeping your health and happiness in check. Eventually, you can donate or sell the pieces you want to get rid of after the decluttering process.
Add Decorative Mirrors
Decorative mirrors have the trick of making a small room appear and feel more spacious. On the other hand, they also help to bring in more natural light to your space. Ensure that the mirror is placed strategically to the view of the natural light to reflect more light into the room to brighten it up. Also, remember that you’re not restricted to where you can place these mirrors. You can put them up in the hallway, bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen.
Hang Some Art Work
Art has a way of telling an unsaid story of things, and it also has a way of showing us the things that seem impossible. It is not a surprise that some assisted living facilities have no hanging piece of art. It will be ideal to add artwork that reflects and matches up to your style. You can also hang some family photos or paintings that you may have done before.
Add Life to the Corners
The corner spaces of the room are the most forgotten and neglected areas of most homes. However, you can use these corners by installing reachable floating corner shelves, floor lamps, or a chair. At least you will have maximized the available space in the room.
With these decorative tips, your assisted living home will not only be an enjoyable place to stay but also to look at. Also, ensure that you have a proper plan before starting the process and make this transition smooth.
About the Author
Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
