Lighthouse Senior Living offers aging parents and loved ones an active lifestyle without risking their health, safety, and comfort. Families often find themselves trying to downsize their parent or loved one’s furniture before moving into their new home, so be sure to use the following tips and shopping suggestions to help make your parent’s new apartment comfortable and functional.
Consider the size and layout of each room– Before you start looking for new furniture, think about the size of the room and how the furniture layout will affect your loved one’s mobility throughout the apartment. Don’t try to squeeze a full-size couch into the living area if it will make passing through the area difficult for your loved one. Many retailers, such as Flexsteel, offer a variety of sofas, chairs, and recliners with dimensions made to fit in an Assisted Living apartment’s living room and common areas.
Choose minimal furniture – Many Assisted Living communities recommend minimal furniture to prevent clutter and overcrowding. Choose functional pieces that will serve your loved one’s everyday routine. For example, you don’t need to buy several end tables if you only need one to hold a lamp and a telephone. Minimal furniture will prevent over purchasing and taking up unnecessary space.
Avoid glass and ceramics – No matter how accessible and functional you plan the design, accidents can happen. Avoid purchasing glass furniture with sharp corners. These pieces can cause injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, from accidental bumps and breaks. Try to keep ceramic home décor to a minimum as well. Many retailers, such as Shelby Williams, offer a variety of rounded tables made from different materials to match every style and taste.
Choose multi-purpose furniture– With a limited amount of space in each room, you should choose furniture that serves a purpose beyond aesthetics.Multi-purpose furniture, such as pullout tables and stowaway ironing boards, help your loved one with everyday life without taking up valuable space in a limited apartment. They can store away items not regularly used to help keep small spaces clear of clutter. Consider which multi-purpose furniture pieces your loved one needs, and how those items can fit into their new home.
Incorporate daily life into shopping and layout – Your parent’s everyday life in an Assisted Living or Memory Care community depends on their physical capabilities. Think about their daily routine and how design choices might affect it. Place telephones near sofas and chairs, make walkways big enough for walkers and canes, and store items within their reach. Speak with an OurParents Senior Living Advisor (SLA) about common furniture and household items your loved one can use in their new Assisted Living home.
Consider furniture rentals – If you or loved one doesn’t feel comfortable purchasing furniture right now, considerAssisted Living furniture rentals. Many furniture companies allow customers to rent furniture on a monthly basis. You can rent pieces to determine the best size and layout that fits your loved one’s needs before making a large, expensive purchase. You can even continue to rent your furniture throughout the duration of your loved one’s time in an Assisted Living community.
Finding efficient furniture for an Assisted Living apartment requires research and careful planning. Taking accessibility and functionality into consideration will help you make smart purchases while avoiding overbuying. Talk to the community’s moving coordinator for more information about furniture stores in your area and which pieces work best in the apartment. You can also speak with a SLA for more information about furnished and unfurnished communities in your area.
