If you’re moving a parent or loved one to senior living, you’re already dealing with a lot. Many seniors would prefer to live in their homes, even as their independence becomes a daily risk for them, and a daily worry for their families. Even amongst all the paperwork, all the to-dos, and all the worries, one thing often sticks out as a core concern: how to make an assisted living apartment feel like home.
The guide below offers guidance on how to do just that, for families helping a parent adjust to assisted living in DeForest, WI. At Parkside Senior Living, our assisted living team provides daily support for residents, customized to their individual needs. We understand how difficult the transition to assisted living can be, and we help families find simple ways to make their loved ones feel at home.
Bring Familiar Furnishings From Home
The apartments at Parkside Senior Living provide room for families to bring sentimental furnishings from home. This is an easy way to make the new living space seem more comfortable and familiar. A favorite chair or familiar bedding can help your loved one make the emotional transition to accepting their new community as home.
If you have a specific piece in mind, measure it ahead of time to make sure the floor plan you choose has enough room. The Parkside Senior Living team is available to answer questions before move-in day so there are no surprises.
Display Photos and Keepsakes
Personalizing a senior living apartment can go a long way toward making a living space feel familiar. Decorate the walls of your loved one’s new apartment so they see their things and their memories from the first moment they walk in. Keep the space tidy, so it feels familiar without being overwhelming.
Arrange the Layout for Ease of Movement
The apartments at Parkside Senior Living are purpose-built for comfortable movement with clear, wide walkways. A familiar lamp or nightlight can help make the space even more comfortable. Put everyday items like glasses, phone chargers, favorite books, prayer missals, and other daily needs in a separate bag so they’re immediately available on move-in.
Add New Personal Touches
You don’t need to copy your loved one’s previous home exactly. Small changes can be a fun way to get your parent involved in the decision-making. A new plant or blanket, new wall art, or even a new arrangement of familiar items can add variety and make the space feel like an upgrade. A familiar scent like a favorite candle or air freshener can help the transition feel more natural.
Settle into Assisted Living in DeForest, WI
The move to assisted living may not go completely smoothly. You may think you’re asking how to help a parent settle into assisted living, and that’s part of it. But what you’re really wondering is whether you’re doing the right thing.
These decisions are never easy. Many residents take a little while to adjust to their new home. That does not mean the decision was wrong. It just means that family connection and encouragement is important in those first few weeks. The team at Parkside Senior Living is here to help you and your family settle into assisted living and find the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assisted living is a living situation where senior residents have access to personalized daily care from experienced team members, including help with bathing, dressing, walking, and grooming. Residents maintain their independence in the things they can still do while support stays close by.
Most residents bring a few personal pieces, like a favorite chair or familiar bedding, alongside what the apartment already includes. Our team can help plan the layout before move-in.
Apartment sizes vary by floor plan. Contact our team directly for current layouts and availability, especially if your loved one has a furniture item they want to bring.
Personalizing a senior living apartment with photos and keepsakes is one of the easiest ways to make the apartment feel like home. Our team can answer any questions about decorating guidelines.
Final Thoughts on How to Make an Assisted Living Apartment Feel Like Home
These assisted living move-in tips and simple decorating ideas may not seem like big steps, but small touches, like a familiar photo or a well-worn arrangement of favorite items, can go a long way toward giving your parent emotional closure after a tough transition. For many seniors, their previous home was where they imagined living forever. This change may take some time to get used to, but the right steps can make it feel like home, too.
Schedule a Tour at Parkside Senior Living
Start the move to assisted living on the right foot by touring the community with your parent. Schedule a visit with our team to review the floor plans and involve your loved one in the important decisions.
