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Moving to a new home is an adjustment for anyone at any age. If the move isn’t especially wanted, the transition is even more challenging.
It’s no different for mature adults transitioning to an assisted living facility. The changes and disruptions are real dynamics that must be grappled with. Although many assisted living facilities are beautiful, it can still take some planning and creativity to make one’s personal space in the facility feel like home.
Perhaps even now, you are preparing to leave your home of years or decades, and you’re downsizing to a few rooms or to a suite in an assisted living center. Maybe you’ve made the move already.
If you’re having trouble adjusting to the new living space or are struggling to gain a sense of home, don’t despair. There are things you can do to help make your space feel more like home quickly.
It all starts with adding some familiar things to the mix.
A space that looks like home feels like home. Bringing artwork from home is something you can do to make your new rooms feel more comfortable. The idea is to try to make the new space feel a little more like the old one. The art you display can help a lot.
What’s important is not the quality of the pieces but that they were present in your previous home. Your personal area of the assisted living facility will likely be smaller than your home, and you’ll have to downsize. When considering what artwork to bring, choose the pieces that mean the most to you.
Artwork can have a lot of sentimental value, and if you’re used to seeing certain pieces daily, bring them to your new rooms.
Home has less to do with the space that you are in than with the feelings you have about that space and with the people around you. Many people keep mementos that bring back good memories and remind them of significant events and special relationships. A lot of how we feel when we are at home has to do with the sentimental value of the objects around us.
Naturally, these are the items you want around you in your new living space, too. If you have any of these sentimental items, such as photo albums or presents that you’ve received from your family, these are all things you might consider bringing along. They will help make your new area feel like home.
To make an assisted living facility feel like home, it’s important to bring items that make you feel comfortable. Artwork and sentimental objects are a great start. Comfort items are a little more personal.
Physical comfort items are things that you can feel and touch. You may have a special quilt, a comfortable reclining chair, a special pillow, or other soft items. Bring them.
Do you have favorite books? Cherished movies? Music? Hobbies? In your new spaces, set up an area to practice your hobbies–such as a mini art studio–or a space dedicated to your music. Consider the things you truly enjoy about the place you call home, and set up your new rooms to accommodate those things.
Anything familiar that provides you with physical or mental comfort is something to consider bringing to your rooms in the assisted living facility.
Making an assisted living space feel like home is not just about the items in the room but about the people around you. Isolation can make any new place feel lonely and cold. Feeling at home means feeling comfortable with the people around you.
This also means that you have to make an effort to go meet new people.
Start engaging with your fellow residents, even if it means pushing yourself to get out and about. Assisted living facilities can be fantastic places to meet new friends.
Find out what kind of activities the facility offers and sign up for a few. You are likely to make friends as you discover people who share your interests. Joining group activities and clubs is a great place to start.
One steady feature of assisted living facilities is the staff that cooks, cleans, provides medical assistance, and cares for the residents. Yes, the staff is paid to be there. However, many of them choose to work there because they enjoy helping mature adults.
Communicate openly and make friends with the staff. Being on good terms with the people who you interact with regularly will certainly make your new living place feel more comfortable. The more familiar you are with the staff, the more at-home you’re likely to feel.
Moving to an assisted living facility can feel like a scary transition, especially when moving away from the comfort of your home. However, you can do a lot to bring home to your new space.
Decorating with sentimental artwork and familiar items, bringing comfort items, and setting aside a special space for your favorite hobbies or activities can make your rooms feel much more comfortable. Make an effort to involve yourself with your community and make friends with the other residents and staff members. This will help you make your assisted living space feel like home.
