Moving to a retirement home is an exciting new chapter in life. Many folks celebrate the lack of housework and lawncare, and rejoice at the new social opportunities that come of living amongst a larger concentration of their peers.
However, the transition can also bring a mix of emotions and challenges for seniors. Whether you’re downsizing or starting fresh, we have some ideas that will help you create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable new home.
Personalize Your Space:
The first step in making your suite at the retirement home feel like home is by infusing it with your personal touch. Display cherished family photos, artwork, or mementos that hold sentimental value. Hang curtains or blinds in your preferred style to add a touch of personality to the space.
Surrounding yourself with familiar items will create a sense of comfort and familiarity in your new environment, especially if they are in similar places. Additionally, this is an excellent tip for creating some sense of continuity for people with memory issues -putting the same photos over the bed, beside the door, etc. can help to make it feel like home.
Create Comfortable Living Areas:
Arrange furniture in a way that promotes comfort and easy passageways. Place cozy chairs or a loveseat near a window to create a reading nook with ample natural light, or put a lamp behind the chair. Add cushions, throw blankets, and soft rugs to enhance comfort and create a warm ambiance.
Embrace Natural Elements:
Incorporating natural elements into your retirement home can bring a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors. Display potted plants or fresh flowers to add life and freshness to your living spaces. There are many species of indoor plants that will thrive in your environment.
You might also consider using natural materials, such as wood or bamboo, for furniture or decorative accents. These elements will add warmth and a touch of nature to your surroundings.
Maintain Daily Routines and Hobbies:
One way to make your retirement home feel familiar is by maintaining your daily routines and hobbies. Set up a designated area for activities you enjoy, such as reading, knitting, or modelling. By incorporating your hobbies into your new home, you’ll feel a sense of continuity and enjoyment in your daily life.
Explore Community Activities:
Retirement homes often offer a variety of community activities and events – you should look to see what activities your residence is hosting! Movie nights, wine and cheese social hours, chair yoga, pickleball, bridge… the list goes on. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet new people and engage in activities that interest you.
Participate in exercise classes, book clubs, or social gatherings to foster a sense of community and belonging. Engaging in these activities will help you settle into your new home and make new friends who share similar interests.
Most residences will have a recreational manager – you should speak to them if you aren’t seeing events and activities that appeal to you, because they want you to enjoy yourself!
Stay Connected with Loved Ones:
Moving to a retirement home doesn’t mean losing touch with loved ones. Make an effort to stay connected with family and friends through regular visits, phone calls, or video chats (because sometimes, technology is awesome).
Consider organizing small gatherings or inviting friends and family over to your new space, allowing you to create new memories together. If you don’t feel like staying in, make plans to go out instead – it’s about the company, not where you see them!
Be Patient with the Adjustment Period:
Adjusting to a new living environment takes time and patience. Give yourself and your loved ones the grace to adapt to the changes and embrace the new chapter.
It’s normal to experience a mix of emotions during this transition, so be kind to yourself and allow for a period of adjustment. It can be helpful to try to plan small treats or boosts for yourself to look forward to during the adjustment period, too. With time, your suite will truly feel like your own sanctuary.
