Do you feel calmer when you're in a wide, open living area? Does clutter make you feel stressed, while order gives you the chance to relax?
You're far from alone. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, apartment design may impact mental health.
This is especially true for seniors moving into assisted living communities. Morristown, TN, is famous for its lakes and parks, so your new home needs to reflect those same relaxing vibes. It boosts mental health while making the life transition easier.
Read on to learn some ways that you can make the most of senior apartment features!
The best way to create a top-notch apartment design is to understand the space you're moving into. In assisted living, seniors can choose between multiple floor plans. Resort-style suitescome in multiple sizes, including 245 and 385 square feet.
TerraBella Morristown's safe layouts for seniors feature:
The apartment is also equipped for comfort with senior apartment features like:
Knowing what your apartment looks like before move-in lets you decide how to design it correctly. You don't want to fight against the layout or size of your new home. Instead, leaning into its parameters and knowing what types of designs it allows lets you make the most of every square foot.
For example, your carpeted apartment may not require you to bring rugs from home. You may instead opt for beautiful curtains to frame your gorgeous windows!
The best way to feel at home in your new senior living apartment is to bring familiar objects from home. A favorite throw blanket or painting goes a long way in making your space feel more like home.
Some comforting objects to consider bringing along might include:
Photographsare also a great way to decorate your apartment. Images of family and friends can remind you of those you love and make you feel less alone. Plus, they're a reminder of the visits you can look forward to in your well-appointed community!
When decorating with these items, there are several ways to ensure that your space keeps you feeling happy and healthy. The first step? Creating a functional space.
Clutter is the enemy of function. It creates stress by clogging up visual pathways. It's overstimulating and prevents the brain from processing vital information.
This can lead to anxiety, which seniors are already at a high risk of.
Clutter is also a problem for people with mobility issues. It's easy to trip and fall over unnecessary objects scattered across the apartment.
Seniors also may be at a higher risk for cognitive decline (or worsening dementia) if they have a lot of clutter in their homes. Memory care apartment ideas should always prioritize the elimination of unnecessary objects.
Those in assisted living can eliminate clutter in their apartments by:
Once you declutter, it's time to find balance and harmony in your apartment design.
"Balance" means creating visual consistency across your space. For example, chairs and a TV shouldn't all be clustered in one corner of the room. The TV can go against one wall while the chairs sit at even intervals across from it.
If you have two rugs and a tapestry, don't put them all next to each other. Put the larger rug at one end of the room. Put the smaller rug on the other end and the tapestry slightly closer to it than the big one.
Thinking about objects' and decorations' shapesis also important to balance. You don't want things to feel cramped, but you also don't want them to feel uneven.
If you have four photos, two with rounded frames and two with angled ones, consider scattering them at even intervals across the wall. The sharp-edged frames should be on opposite walls (or opposite sides of the wall). The same goes for the rounded-edged ones.
Colors greatly impact people's moods. Behaviors may also become healthier when the right hues are used in interior design.
If you're a senior who worries about overstimulation and stress, blue might be the right color to scatter throughout your space. It's calming and relaxing.
Worried about loneliness and depression? Cheery yellows and invigorating oranges may be your best bet!
Make sure to create balance with one of the common color schemes in apartment design. These are:
Neutrals include:
Monochromatic and analogous color schemes tend to work best for seniors looking to create easy balance and symmetry.
Now that you have some apartment design tips for aging adults in senior communities, it's time to learn more about finding the right home to thrive in!
TerraBella Morristown is excited to answer your questions. Our compassionate caregivers look forward to getting to know each new resident on an individual level.
We're proud of our amenities, such as our wellness program and activity room, and we're excited to show you what we have to offer. Contact us to schedule a tour and see our move-in-ready apartments today!