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Making the decision to move a loved one to a memory care community is not easy, but learning some best practices, including how to decorate, can ease the process.
While decorating can be exciting and fun, it’s important to keep it functional. Ensuring home decor meets memory care requirements can ease day-to-day tasks while keeping dementia patients safe.
Here are a few tips to ensure your loved one feels comfortable and at ease in their new memory care neighborhood.
Nothing says home like being in a personalized environment, and no one knows your loved one better than you do. Fill their room with memories and pieces of their life, such as past hobbies or passions, and photographs of grandchildren, children, pets or their partner.
Downsizing to a new space also presents the opportunity to declutter. Keep rounded furniture, furniture that’s easy to use and personal decor that can stimulate memory. Remove items that can create clutter or become disorienting (such as throw rugs with busy patterns).
To ensure their new apartment feels familiar, set up furniture and other decor in the same arrangement as it was in their former home.
Tip: Music has been shown to be a great benefit for people living with memory impairments, so it may help to bring a small speaker, radio or CD player with some of your loved one’s favorite music.
Related: When To Transition To Memory Care
Small pieces of familiar furniture or decorations can comfort your loved one in their new community. Smaller pieces can allow more floor space, creating open walkways to avoid tripping hazards.
When it comes to furniture and decor, there are a few things to keep in mind about your loved one’s new space:
Overall, don’t overwhelm the home. Keep it simple and stick to the necessities. When choosing items, follow these memory care requirements to ensure the easiest use of household items and decor.
For some, decorating can be the fun part of moving into a new space. When shopping for new items, ask yourself if it’s something your loved one truly needs. Too many decorations can be overwhelming to someone experiencing memory loss.
Avoid items that may cause distress such as electronics with small buttons or lights that are overly bright or flashing. Instead, focus on pieces that are both fun and functional.
Tip: Wreaths or signs are also fun decorations that are equally functional. Having a decoration on the exterior of the door can help your loved one identify their place, preventing them from getting lost or confused.
Related: What To Bring Vs. What Not To Bring To Senior Living
While comfort is crucial in your loved one’s new space, it’s important to include items that will help promote wellness. Wellness relates to habits or behaviors that create better outcomes to reach one’s full potential. Incorporating these elements into the environment may assist in the preservation of their sense of self and purpose.
If any fixes can be made to the home to promote wellness, it’s helpful to do so. Once things are set up, assess the room to make sure everything is easy to navigate with minimal hazards or confusing situations.
Once your loved one’s new space is set up to promote wellness, take advantage of it. Explore your loved one’s interests and see what they enjoy doing. A great idea is a garden.
Tending to a garden can create a sense of routine and help memory care residents gain a sense of independence. Indoor gardens also double as decor.
Some memory care neighborhoods offer community garden options as a way to encourage residents to get physical exercise, fresh air and vitamin D from the sun. Having a project or hobby like a garden also provides excitement as well as healthy snacks once the produce flourishes.
Related: Why You Should Try Indoor Gardening
Designing a space for your loved one should be done with their best interest in mind. First, think about the functional abilities they perform well and design their space around this.
Does your loved one enjoy being social? Find them a place that encourages social gatherings and events. Do they enjoy being active? Most communities offer fitness and wellness programs.
Other ways to encourage independence are:
Implementing these adjustments can make daily events easier for your loved one and can set them up for success in their memory care new community.
Related: 6 Tips For Moving Someone With Dementia
Moving your loved one into a new community is a big transition. These memory care decorating tips should allow you to make their space feel like home in no time. Before you begin to decorate your loved one’s memory care room, be sure to check with the community for any guidelines to follow.
For more tips and advice about moving a loved one to memory care, reach out to your local Independence Village community.