With more than 1.1 million assisted living units across the U.S., chances are you or someone you love is about to call one “home.”
If you are living in a senior community for the first time — or are moving a loved one into a senior living community — you might be wondering how to make it feel like home and less like a sterile “facility.” Straight from the residents themselves at The Retreat at Alameda, there is an abundance of advice on how to make the space comfortable and personal.
We’ve put together some of the best tips here for your convenience. Keep reading to learn how to personalize a senior apartment in Arizona.
For Starters, Decorate the Room
The primary thing someone can do when moving into a senior community is to make their space truly theirs.
First, learn any restrictions the community might have.
For example, you may not be able to put holes in the wall — but you can use mounting putty. Senior apartment decoration rules vary by community, so knowing what you can and can’t do before decorating helps keep things organized and focused. How someone styles their room also depends on whether it’s furnished or unfurnished.
Once you’re familiar with the guidelines, get to decorating!
If a room is unfurnished, that leaves some flexibility in the floor plan and allows for a familiar piece of furniture, like a beloved armchair. If a room is already furnished, furniture can still be adorned with favorite throw pillows or blankets.
Consider small but sentimental items to decorate a senior apartment, such as picture frames, precious knick-knacks, a plant, a small rug, books, or a hand mirror.
Scent is also a powerful contributor to feeling at home in senior living, so you may have a seasonal candle (or oil diffuser, if candles aren’t allowed).
Once Settled, Begin to Develop a Routine Again
Having a routine proves to be very advantageous, especially in stressful times.
The chances are that you or your loved one already has a routine at home. Perhaps it looks like this: waking up early, having tea with the newspaper, walking the dog, running errands, volunteering at the library, and then coming home for dinner and TV before bed. Most people have some sort of day-to-day habits or hobbies that provide structure.
If life is feeling a little chaotic after moving, a routine can bring it back into focus. A routine provides organization, productivity, and relief from uncertainty or unpredictability. It provides much-needed comfort and control over one’s life.
Having a routine means your daily activities — but it also means things like weekly self-care acts. Perhaps that’s getting a haircut, spending the day relaxing, or enjoying a game night. Self-care should never get excluded when considering a schedule.
Remember to follow a schedule that fits your new life. Focus on things you can control, stay in touch with loved ones, and stay positive. You can prepare for challenges while also preparing to be resilient if and when things are different. Embrace change, stay active, get good sleep — and adjustment will come much sooner.
Branch Out and Make Friends With Other Residents
Personalizing a senior community is about more than decorating a room, although that’s a start.
Senior living that feels like home is also about integrating with the community by socializing with residents, attending events, and participating in other calendar activities. A resident can spend plenty of time in the multipurpose room, café, and fitness center. There are typically many entertainment options within a senior living community, offering residents plenty of time to meet, greet, play games, and hang out together.
So, if you or your loved one finds themselves feeling isolated, encourage branching out. Chances are someone else is new and looking for a friend. Senior communities are a fantastic place to meet like-minded individuals experiencing similar situations and can bond throughout the transition.
Similarly, Get to Know the Team of the Senior Community
Being on good terms with team members in the community can help someone acclimate, especially if they are receiving care services.
Knowing the team and engaging in conversation with them makes everyone more comfortable and the feeling more communal. Associates can be a fantastic resource for asking questions, learning the calendar, meeting others, and other community information.
When someone moves into a senior community, it’s always helpful to learn the names of associates and communicate any needs that you might have. Team members can ensure the process of moving into a senior living facility is more simple.
Live Your Best Life With These Tips!
Feeling at home in senior living will certainly be a transition — but there are ways to make it feel just like home.
Don’t underestimate the power of making friends with residents as a way to settle in. Small touches like picture frames, quilts, and oil diffusers can keep you or your loved one cozy while making the space personal. Falling back into a routine can also help the experience be more familiar, as habits establish structure.
And finally, make sure you love your team!
We think you or a loved one will feel right at home at The Retreat at Alameda in Phoenix, Arizona. Our associates are dedicated, friendly, and compassionate, making the transition to senior living as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Reach Out to The Retreat at Alameda
Schedule an appointment with us. We’d love to start the conversation to see if senior living is the right step for your loved one. From luxury, resort-style living to assisted living and personalized memory care, we do it all.