Making Your Nursing Home Feel Like Home

Moving into a nursing home can be a very stressful experience. There will be a lot of things that will take some adjusting but with time the switch can make all the difference. Most people move into nursing homes because taking care of their normal responsibilities has become very difficult. There is absolutely nothing wrong with moving into a nursing home and in most cases it really can be a relief.

If you’re going to be making the transition into an assisted living facility, you’ll want to make sure that your new space is personalized and feels like “home.” Here are three tips to transform your new room into something that feels comfortable and familiar:

1.       Photographs- One of the best ways to personalize your space and make your new house feel like a home, is to decorate with photographs. You can hang your pictures on the wall to remember life’s greatest moments, or put them on a shelf with some of your other belongings. From a design standpoint it is important to make sure that all of your picture frames match so that the style is consistent throughout the room.

2.       Paint- You may need to ask for permission before you paint your room, but chances are there will be no problem making a change as long as you paint it back to the original color once you leave. Whether you decide to paint one wall or every wall, it sure does feel good to splash your favorite color on the walls and make your space feel more familiar.

3.       Custom Lighting- Having some custom lighting in your room can really finish things off nicely. You may want to go shopping and look for the perfect lamp and other lighting fixtures. You can mix and match some of your favorite pieces to top off the style in the room. Remember that this is your space and you have every right to make it your own, so why not go crazy. Sometimes when you are finding the right lighting you’ll have some trial and error. There is nothing to worry about if you are unhappy with lighting, simply return the light and try another one.

As you move into your new nursing home, be sure to take some time off from decorating your space and get to know the other residents. Take a look at the home’s itinerary and see what different activities are going on. You can pick out two or three of the activities that sound like the most interesting and then attend those. Be sure to give your family members your new schedule so that they know when it is appropriate to come and visit you.

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