When a friend or parent is dealing with memory loss, maintaining a safe, comfortable, and inviting atmosphere in their room is important especially when they are transitioning to a home in an assisted living community. Taking the time to decorate a memory care room in their new living environment can go a long way in helping them feel empowered and in charge of their life while supporting a positive emotional level.

Something to consider is the memory care room design and how it should look and feel once you begin making plans to decorate and accessorize the living space. One of the most important steps in the decorating process is to include your family member or friend in decision making.

Since the community will be where they will spend the majority of their time, the living quarters should reflect what they like, want, need, and cherish. Ask which personal items they would like to take and where they want them to be placed in their new home. Allowing them to partake in the memory room design supports an easier transition while giving your family member or friend a sense of belonging and involvement.

There are several avenues to explore when planning to decorate a memory care room. Consider these tips to ensure a safe and secure home for an older adult.

Safety

An important factor when designing the layout of the new home is its safety for your relative.

• When decorating, it is important to not put any obstacles on the floor that could result in tripping or falling such as throw rugs, scatter rugs, or mats. Keep the walking area flat and free of things that could impair easy movement and mobility throughout the home.
• If possible, have hand railings installed to assist in safer mobility.
• If there are any steps in the home, make them stand out for better visibility by lining the edge with a strip of brightly colored tape that securely adheres to each step.
• Place furniture so that the senior adult can easily move throughout the home without items blocking doors or hallways.
• Make sure shelves and their items can be reached without the need to stretch, bend, or use any device, such as a step ladder, to access them.
• Limit the number of electrical cords, if possible, as these can be problematic for older adults who rely on a cane, walker, or wheelchair. For safety purposes, secure the cords, snugly, to the wall. Do not leave them where they can cause tripping or falling.
• When selecting furniture, consider pieces that can be gotten in and out of without stress or strain. Also, consider upholstery that is stain-resistant and easy to clean such as vinyl. A power recliner is also recommended versus a standard style for residents who may suffer from arthritis or other joint-related illness or disease.
• Add slip-proof decals to the interior of showers and bathtubs to provide better footing and help avoid slips and falls.
• In some situations, you may need to ask if a raised toilet seat can be installed in the bathroom to make it easier for those who have difficulty in standing up.

Atmosphere

• Do not go overboard but do create a home sweet home environment that is rich with personalized touches.
• Make the atmosphere inviting by adding accessories such as table lamps to allow alternatives to harsh overhead lighting. Avoid bright or blinking lights as these can be a source of confusion for those dealing with memory loss.
• Include in the decorative items any mementos such as photos of family, friends, and pets, certificates, sketches, artwork, sentimental items, and awards that your parent or relative has a personal connection with. These items support happiness and serve to help reawaken and activate memories.
• Use a combination of solid and bright contrasting colors, which will help memory loss residents differentiate between the furniture, accessories, wall art, dinnerware, and memorabilia in the surrounding area(s).
• Stick with neutral patterns for drapes, towels, sofa throws, etc. as busy patterns can be confusing.
• Help lessen noise from the outside that can be disorientating to memory loss residents by hanging drapes over all windows.
• Add an adornment to the front door such as a digital photo frame with pictures of the people most important to them. Not only does this trigger memories, but it will also help them remember which residence is theirs.
• If your relative is comfortable using a cellphone or a tablet, consider investing in technology that will allow them to use voice-activation to control the temperature settings in their home. This helps in creating more comfort and convenience.

Making the Move to Presidential Place

At Presidential Place, older adults with memory loss reside in our memory care community where our Valeo philosophy focuses on the physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual components of each individual through specialized programs and personalized attention.

Through these specially designed programs based on scientific data, our memory loss residents have access to individualized plans designed to support interaction, engage in activities, tap into their abilities, and participate in their personal interests.

Memory Care at Presidential Place

Once you have your family member or friends’ personal space decorated in a safe and inviting manner, they will have access to a variety of services to ensure a confident, independent, and fulfilling lifestyle supported by an experienced team of staff members. A few of the services you can count on include:

• 24-hour security
• Around the clock health monitoring by an LPN
• Bathroom equipped with an emergency response system
• Concierge services
• Maintenance services
• Housekeeping done on a weekly basis
• Laundry services
• Programs to include fitness and well-being
• Transportation services

For more information on our memory loss care community and what we have to offer to each of our adult residents, call us at 954-894-0059 or use the convenient online contact form. Our staff is will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about our community.

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Posted on: December 23, 2020

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