How to Make a Retirement Residence Feel Like Home

Updated on October 9, 2020
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Moving your aging mother or father from their beloved home into a senior residence may be necessary, but the transition isn’t always easy for them. In addition to choosing a reputable facility, there are things you can do to ensure they settle into their new home quickly and smoothly. Here are five of the most workable ways:

Decorate it to their liking

The best way to cushion the hard-hitting impact of moving into a room at a retirement facility is to make it look like home. Consider decorating your senior’s apartment with wall art and framed pictures, and set up their bedroom just as it was back home. Familiarity breeds security, and using familiar décor does can nullify the effect of the sudden transition.

Mind their comfort

If your senior still has the strength to engage in their hobbies and other physical activities, consider getting them equipment crafted with their bodies in mind. For instance, if your loved one is a cycling enthusiast, take the time to find the most comfortable bicycle seat for seniors to improve their bike’s ergonomic setting. Regardless of the activity, try to enhance the experience by obtaining the right tools for them.

Keep in touch with the staff

Just because you’re paying for your senior’s protection at the retirement home doesn’t mean they don’t need any more of your help. Your mom or dad is definitely closer to you than the caregivers at the facility and will likely be more open with you regarding their needs. Staying close to the staff makes it easy for them to contact you if they think your loved one might need your help. They can also act as the link through which you connect with your senior regularly.

Make new memories

Decorating your senior’s new home with familiar items might expedite the process of settling in, but it’s wise not to dwell on memories. Life doesn’t slow down as one approaches their twilight years. Suddenly recalling the past could make your relative perceive a change and start missing their old life.

Once they settle in their new place, shower them with new things, including books and other learning materials, to keep them engrossed, hopeful, and excited about tomorrow.

Visit them often

Retirement homes are not the loneliest places, so don’t fret about your elderly family members lacking company. However, don’t underestimate the impact of your presence. This is when older adults tell between family members who truly care about them and those who don’t. You don’t want to be in the latter lot. Try to find time to visit your loved one and hold conversations with them. Create a schedule if you must, and make sure to tell them when you won’t be able to visit.

Conclusion

Aging is a natural process, and we might all end up in a nursing home if we live long enough. Ensure your senior gets the treatment you would want to receive on your turn. The above tips can help you achieve that and keep your loved one smiling in their old age.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.