Moving into a care home can feel a bit unnerving. It might take a little while to settle in, but there are certain things that can be done to make the transitional period a bit more comforting. You want to feel like you have a slice of your treasured home with you, and that is understandable. Here are five ways you can make your care home room more comforting for any new settlers.
Choose the Perfect Location
Where you choose to spend your golden years is a personal thing. Some people opt for a senior friendly area, while others have more specialist needs and may need a centre that can cater to that, like this dementia care home in Bury St Edmunds. Wherever you pick, it has to be of top quality and meet your needs. Location is not something that you want to negotiate on, and that is highly understandable. Close to home or somewhere new, make sure you get this part right and you will feel more comfortable instantly.
Bring Personal Memorabilia
There are no major restrictions on what you can bring from your property to the care home, apart from bulky furniture, but even that is negotiable in some establishments. Whatever you bring with you should mean something and hold a treasured place in your heart. Photos are a great idea and create instant warmth in any space. Jewellery and other personal pieces like your favourite lamp or a long-loved mirror are all brilliant ideas too.
Focus On Organisation
It is impossible to relax or feel peace in a cluttered space and this is true of any accommodation whether it is a hotel room in Paris, your own property, or a care home bedroom. Before you move in, take steps to ensure there is going to be adequate storage for all of your belongings. If there won’t be, find a solution before you get there so you don’t end up with a cluttered arena. It will be extremely difficult to settle down and find your zen in a space that is a mess.
Add Some Comfortable Touches
Don’t forget about bringing some cozy blankets, pillows, and even your own curtains to help you during the first few weeks. These small comfort items, though small in size, actually hold a big value in the bigger picture. They are what makes a room feel less clinical and more loved. A space that’s loved is one you want to stay in.
Connect It Up
Finally, remember that your tech can come with you too. Staying connected with your social circle, the wider world, and your loved ones should be a top priority for any senior. Socialisation and touching base with people are important and so are key relationships. They nurture positive brain health and combat all the low-mood feelings that come along with loneliness.
Making your care home room feel like your own might take some time, but it is perfectly achievable. If you have a clear picture of what you want, that’s great. If you want to wait until you get there to decide, that is fine too. You can make it personal and keep it neat.