Fall may feel different when you live in Florida, but that doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate the advent of a new season. Now that October is nearly over – it’s time for fall decorating! Those who live in an assisted living facility do not have to give up the fun of seasonal decor. Whether autumn ambiance or festive Thanksgiving, some simple decorating ideas can make an assisted living apartment warm and cozy for the new season.
If your senior family member resides in assisted living or memory care and has loved the holidays throughout their life, they will love to jump into fall decorating once again. It can be an engaging experience and an excellent bonding activity.
Warm Colors and Accents: When most people consider autumn, their thoughts go to colors such as burnt oranges, rich reds, and bright golds. Designing the ideal fall atmosphere can be as simple as buying a cozy blanket or adding several perfectly placed throw pillows. These colors emit warmth, friendship, and a comfortable, secure environment – and can completely redefine the space.
Table Decor: If your loved one has a small dinette or eat-in kitchen, changing the placemats can change the mood. Mix and match warm colors, or look for beautiful patterns. You can also help your family member create an easy yet striking centerpiece with several essential items for the craft store – cornucopia, some unique gourds, berries and grapes, and sheaves of wheat, for instance. Seniors can ask friends or family members to drive them to a local pumpkin patch or small farm to choose natural ingredients. If assisted living residents do not have their own dining space, they can invite friends to get creative and decorate the main dining room.
Candlelit Ambiance: Nothing adds a warm glow like a candle, but real fire is considered too dangerous in a group residence. Battery-powered candles can be purchased in place of traditional candles and placed around the apartment to set the mood. Put these electric candles in a decorative glass container or mason jars to capture the season.
Chalkboard Art & Adages: Craft and hobby stores have become increasingly seasonally focused, and shoppers often find chalkboards with autumn-themed borders. These chalkboards can display favorite quotes, seasonal thoughts, or even favorite fall recipes, such as pumpkin spice toast.
Crafts from Young Family Members: The refrigerator is the iconic location for our grandkid’s art, but the appliance is not necessary to display your loved one’s art. Call up the grandchildren and ask them to help Grandma or Grandpa to decorate their apartment for the holidays. They will love to help, and the seniors will love being surrounded by original masterpieces from the little ones.
Nostalgic Items: If your senior had some sentimental seasonal decorations when they lived at home, these are the perfect items to bring life into their new apartment. Gathering these items from storage may take a little work, but bringing touches of tradition will go a long way toward making the apartment homier.
Important Note: If your loved one lives in an assisted living facility, be sure to ask about items that are allowed and discouraged or forbidden. The safety of your loved one and the entire community relies on everyone following essential rules in this regard. You can also ask if the facility has any planned activities to create crafts – if not, maybe you can organize a fun community-wide event!
At A Banyan Residence, we are dedicated to our residents’ overall health and emotional wellness. This includes making their room as cozy and comfortable as possible in the autumn and into the holidays. Call today for a tour or more information.
