Sending your loved one to receive care at a nursing home can be one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, but you’re not alone.
By 2030, New Jersey estimates that nearly 25 percent of the population will be 60 or older. As baby boomers and Gen X continue to age, they may require skilled nursing care to address their complex medical needs.
As you transition your loved one to a nursing home, there are steps you can take to make their space feel like home. Here are six tips to help inspire decorating choices that bring comfort and care to any space.
Decorating Your Nursing Home Room
Before you get started, check with the nursing home staff. Many won’t allow you to make permanent changes like painting the walls or adding permanent structures to the room, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options.
Only the worst New Jersey nursing facilities allow no decorating at all. If there are stringent restrictions, you may want to find other accommodations.
1. Use Familiar Items
Nursing homes are notoriously sterile, so use that to your advantage. Bring familiar items from home to make them feel more comfortable. One of the easiest ways to do this is by bringing their bedding. The familiar texture of their sheets and the weight of their blanket will help them relax in bed, even if the bed itself feels different from home.
Favorite blankets, sweaters, books, stuffed animals, and even chairs can go a long way in making your family members feel more at home in their space.
2. Bring Photos
Photos make your loved one feel like you’re with them, even when you’re not there. Bring them pictures of the most important things, including family, friends, travels, and pets. These photos are often displayed around their home, so it’s an easy transition.
Many family members add a digital photo frame to their loved one’s New Jersey nursing home room. It’s a great way to add pictures to the room without feeling cluttered. As a bonus, you can send photos to the frame in real time. Your loved one will know you’re thinking of them and won’t feel like they’re missing out on anything. It’s a win-win for all.
3. Provide Hobbies
Your loved one will have a lot of free time in a nursing home, so make sure you prep them with enough activities to do. Bring their favorite books. If reading fine print is difficult, invest in an e-reader, and they can adjust the font size to what’s most comfortable with them.
Word searches and crossword puzzle books are another favorite amongst many nursing home residents. Many also like to paint, knit, crochet, needlepoint, and color. These activities are great ways to keep the residents’ minds active. They may even socialize around their favorite hobbies, so you’re providing them with things they can discuss with their friends. Check-in regularly if they need more supplies so they don’t run out.
4. Play Calming Music
Music can help create a soothing environment, so bring materials to help them play their favorite songs. These can include record players, CD players, or MP3 players. If they are savvy, they can play music on their phones or tablets.
There may be noise ordinances within the nursing home and quiet hours, so make sure to provide headphones so they can listen to music at their convenience.
5. Don’t Forget About Scent
Smell can be a powerful tool, especially in a nursing home. When possible, bring scents that make the person feel at home. Air fresheners, sprays, and diffusers can all help a room smell more familiar. If a person has a signature scent, ensure they have their favorite perfume or cologne. Just the smell of it can make them feel more like themselves.
Do not bring candles, warmers, or other items that can pose a fire risk. These are against the rules in most nursing homes and will be confiscated. Most scents are available in different forms, so you should be able to capture the same sentiment in a safer form.
6. Ask Your Loved One
Involve your loved one in the decorating process. Ask them what items would make them happy or if they want anything special for their rooms. Check-in with the nursing home to see if you can temporarily hang things on the wall. If so, bring their favorite paintings or hang their wedding photo so it’s the first thing they see when they wake up. It’s the little things that will make a big difference.
Conclusion
Many older adults dread going into nursing homes, so you want to do what you can to make the best of the situation by providing small touches that bring smiles to their faces. It will allow them to settle in quickly and feel comfortable within their space.
