fbpx

Memory Care: Decorating Ideas To Turn an Apartment into a Home

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Moving your loved one to memory care is a hard decision. Even though you as a caregiver or family member may feel anxiety, sadness, grief or uncertainty, remember that you’re doing the best thing for your loved one, says Reshma Nair, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover, a memory care assisted living community in Andover, MA.

“A memory care assisted living community is designed specifically to help individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to live fulfilled, happy and healthy lives,” Reshma explains. “While it is difficult for family members, it can also be a comfort to know your loved one is safe and in a place where they will have the highest quality of life possible each and every day.”

Reshma says that being able to step away from the caregiving role yourself allows you to rekindle and nurture the original relationship you had with your loved one. “We’ve had spouses, siblings and children tell us many times that it’s been so meaningful to be able to spend quality time with their loved one without worrying about everything else that has to be done,” she says.

Still, moving to memory care can be uncertain for your loved ones, especially if they are transitioning from living “at home” to a community. To help ease the transition, Reshma suggests setting up your loved one’s memory care apartment so that it feels more comfortable and familiar. Here are some tips for small touches that can help your loved one be more at home in their new space.

Fill their room with familiar faces.
Photos of friends, loved ones and memories will provide conversation starters for your loved one as well as make them feel like they are, literally, surrounded by love. Place photos of people and places in areas where your loved one will see them easily, such as on a nightstand, on a mantel or over the couch. In addition, you can create a scrapbook filled with photos for your loved ones to look through whenever they like. It’s a good idea to write down on the back of the photograph or frame who the people in the picture are and how they are related to your loved one.

Furnish with favorite items.
Obviously, it’s impossible to stock a memory care apartment with everything that’s in your loved one’s home. However, there are certain pieces of furniture or decor – such as the nightstand that has sat by their bed for decades or a favorite chair – that symbolize “home.” Select a few key pieces that have meaning for your loved ones that can provide comfort when they’re in the new, unfamiliar space.

Keep decor simple.
Individuals with cognitive issues such as dementia can get overwhelmed with too many colors, patterns and items. As you’re looking at the things they will need, here are some things to keep in mind as your selecting decor, furniture and trimmings:

  • Use contrasting colors whenever possible to differentiate between objects. As we age (and as dementia progresses), the more difficult it becomes to locate objects that are similarly colored. For example, use darker placemats on a light-colored table or have plates and cups that are differently colored in order to help at mealtimes.
  • Avoid busy patterns, which can cause confusion and disorientation.
  • Make sure that rooms are properly lit. Be sure that lamps and other sources of light are bright enough (but not too harsh) and don’t cast potentially scary shadows. Avoid lights that blink or twinkle, as they can cause confusion for someone with memory loss and potentially put them at risk of falling or hurting themselves.

Make sure safety is in mind.
Comfort is important in your loved one’s new home, but so is safety. Make sure that as you’re selecting items to furnish their room that you’re also choosing items that will help promote health and safety. The team members at the memory care assisted living community can help you with this, but here are some general ideas to get you started:

  • Avoid throw rugs on carpeting, which can cause tripping or confusion. However, if your loved one’s new home has hardwood or smooth floors (like in the bathroom), make sure to use nonskid mats and low-profile rugs to help your loved one keep from slipping or tripping.
  • If your loved one’s apartment is near a busy or noisy location, hang muffling drapes over their windows to help block out sound that could cause disorientation or confusion.
  • Avoid any implements or items that are sharp or could otherwise cause issues for your loved one.

Remember who they are.
Think about things that your loved one enjoys doing or that defined their life in the past. For example, if he was into sports, put his baseball mitt and a ball in view for him to look at and touch. If your mother enjoys quilting, decorate with a beautiful quilt she has made, and place a basket of yarn and patterns near a chair (no needles, though). Having familiar items that can prompt conversation and reminiscing will help team members learn more about your loved one’s personality and will also provide a fulfilling, comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle for your loved one.

Exceptional Care. Engaging Lifestyle.

Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover provides specialized memory care in an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and welcoming. Built solely to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover creates a wellness-focused, engaging lifestyle that respects individual preferences, focuses on residents’ abilities and creates meaning in daily life.

Dedicated Memory Care.

Through every stage of memory loss, residents and their families have complete peace of mind. Our compassionate dementia care and unique programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their own journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with dignity.

Supportive, Purpose-Built Design.

Featuring a stunning residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover is much more than a beautiful place to live; it’s a community where residents’ lives are enriched and families enjoy meaningful moments together. Our research-based design features, including soft colors and lighting, directional cues, and aromatherapy, empower residents to explore their homes with confidence.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

Contact us today to learn more.

Learn More About Bridges®

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Loading...