At Willow Falls, we recognize that, at times, residents miss their homes. Despite the availability of a caring, compassionate staff, they may still struggle to create a homelike vibe in their senior living apartments. While they can visit their home or call their family members, there’s something they can do to make their senior living apartment feel like home. It’s about incorporating elements like decorations, fragrances, personal items, and more. Doing so will help them customize their living space to reflect their personality and make them feel at home. Let’s learn how seniors can make their senior living warmer, more comfortable, and more inviting.
Bringing In Personal And Sentimental Items
Every senior has their memorabilia and other beloved possessions that carry a deeper meaning for them. Bringing them to the community from their original home will provide them with a sense of familiarity and continuity, making it easier to move on to the next chapter of their lives.
Display Cherished Photos
You should make the most of the available space in your assisted living apartments. Decorate your living space with cherished framed photos of family, friends, and past travels on shelves. For more memories, you can even create a memory wall. This will reflect your personal history and make your space more homely.
Include Favorite Furniture
One of the best additions to make in your assisted living apartments is bringing your favorite furniture from home. It could be a well-loved armchair, a side table, or a small bookshelf. Bringing them to the apartment will instantly make the space feel more familiar and comfortable.
Add Keepsakes And Art
Personalize your space with keepsakes and art pieces. You can display travel souvenirs, books, collectibles, or a favorite piece of art that reflects your personality and history. Keeping these possessions will also act as a conversation starter for you.
Focus On Comfort And Ambiance
We all feel comfortable and at ease in our home. The atmosphere and ambiance are unique to our place. To incorporate the same into your senior living space, use scented candles, essential oils, and soft music. The goal is to make the environment less stimulating and more comforting, just as it was at your home.
Soften The Lighting
The lighting at your place should be warm and comforting, and not harsh. Use multiple light sources instead of a big overhead light. For numerous light sources, you can use tables, floor lamps, and dimmable fixtures to create a warm glow.
Incorporate Soft Textures
Incorporating soft textures is a form of sensory engagement that can enhance the comfort and warmth of your apartment’s living space. Go for smooth, comfortable textures, such as a favorite knitted blanket, comfortable bedding, plush rugs, cozy throws, or soft towels.
Bring In Nature
Get some fresh flowers to elevate the mood and reduce stress. Or you can bring in some artificial flowers, too, as they will also do the same thing. Other possibilities include bringing in living plants and using natural materials for furniture and decor, such as wood or stone. Adding nature-inspired art can also help you make your space more calming.
Use Scent And Sound
You can use familiar, comforting smells, like a favorite candle or an essential oil diffuser, to make your apartment feel inviting and homey. Play the sound of a water fountain, favorite music, or a recording of family voices to personalize your space.
Maximize Space And Functionality
While your senior apartment’s living space may not be of the same size as your previous house was, following specific measures can help you make the most of the available space. You have to focus on optimizing your living space and making it more functional.
Choose Furniture Wisely
Use bright and multipurpose furniture. Go for pieces that offer storage, like an ottoman or a bed with built-in drawers. The selected pieces must support mobility and be sturdy. Considering personal taste and familiar pieces will promote a sense of continuity and belonging.
Use Mirrors
Strategically using mirrors can help you make your living space feel more spacious. They will bounce both natural and artificial light to tap into the darker corners of your home.
Decorate With Color
Your apartment’s space, along with its accessories and elements, should incorporate colors that make you feel at ease. Go for a balanced palette of soothing and warm tones that adds a comforting feel to the environment. The soft blues and greens help reduce anxiety, while warmer tones like beige and cream add coziness.
Other Considerations
Besides working on your apartment living space, there are other considerations you need to address. This will help you achieve the homey feel in your senior living apartments that you are aiming for.
Downsize Thoughtfully
Before moving in, sort items and bring only those that are really essential to you. These might be some cherished items or sentimental decorations. Sell, gift, or donate what’s in proper condition but you don’t need now.
Engage In Community
Your assisted living apartments have become your new home, and the peers and staff have become your new family. Understand this and ensure continued connection with the community by regularly participating in scheduled events and activities.
Give It Time
Understandably, it will take some time for you to get used to your new surroundings. Engage in various activities and programs and build relationships with peers.
Willow Falls—Vibrant Senior Living Apartments
At Willow Falls, we understand that seniors deserve a graceful aging experience. While it’s good for them to recall their homey environment, the remembrance should never be negative. Their senior living apartment’s environment must be comfy, lively, and personalized, just as it was in their home. Moving to a senior living environment should never limit their quality of life. It shouldn’t feel like a barrier to achieving a holistic aging experience.
By adhering to the strategies and key measures outlined above, you, as a senior resident, can easily transform your senior living apartment into a homely space. Visiting you, your family will also feel like it’s their second home. It will keep the same aesthetics and personality as your original home.
For those exploring assisted living apartments that offer a safe, secure environment while embracing the possibility of personalization, contact us at Willow Falls. As a proud member of the Vista Senior Living Management network, we take pride in our living spaces that foster engagement and thriving life experiences. By accessing our range of premium amenities and services, you will lead a joyful and healthy aging experience.