One of the biggest struggles faced by care home managers is making care environments comfortable and homely. If you are looking to provide quality care to your residents, boosting comfort should be one of your top priorities. This is because moving into a care home can be a daunting experience for older people or those living with a disability. While creating a homely feeling in a new setting may seem difficult at first, it can be achieved by following a few simple steps and checking in with your residents on a regular basis. Below you will find our top tips on improving comfort in your care home.

Choose A Homely Aesthetic

Firstly, it’s crucial to ensure that your care home facility doesn’t feel clinical or cold. Therefore, you should strive to create a home aesthetic, which will allow residents to feel more at ease in their new surroundings. Make sure that your care home provides a sense of community for residents, where they can feel comfortable and supported. To achieve a homely feeling, you may want to choose a nostalgic décor, as it will be something that residents will be familiar with. As a result, they will feel welcome and less intimated, which will make the process of settling in much easier.

Get The Right Furniture

The right furniture can make a difference to how residents feel on a daily basis. Therefore, it’s important to select a reputable care home supplier like Nichol & Hill, where you can find quality care home furniture. For example, you can choose from a variety of care home chairs, which are designed to provide the right level of support to residents. Moreover, getting comfortable care home chairs will prevent residents from slouching and leaning. At Nichol & Hill, you can find high-quality furniture, that ensures comfort and safety at all times, allowing you to furnish your care home according to your unique needs.

Encourage Residents To Decorate Their Rooms

Residents should be able to decorate their rooms in a way that makes them happy. It might be a good idea for them to hang meaningful photographs on the walls, which may evoke happy memories. It might be a good idea to ask them if they used to have a favourite spot at home and allow them to replicate it in their new environment. This will make moving into a care home more manageable, as it will provide residents with a familiar feel. They can also display some of their favourite birthday cards or Christmas presents to make the space a bit brighter and more comfortable. In addition, it might be beneficial for them to bring some ornaments or other objects that they have collected throughout the years.

Select Soothing Colours

There are certain colours, which you can use to help residents relax, so it’s important to think about your colour choices. In general, some of the most peaceful colours you can incorporate into your care home décor include blue, green, and pink. However, you may also go for bolder colours when looking to draw attention to important items. For instance, it might be beneficial to choose brighter colours with things like grab rails, as this can make it easier for residents to stay active.

Introduce Comforting Smells

Smell is another key thing to consider when creating comfortable care environments. It’s advisable to look for fragrances, which are more likely to evoke nostalgic feelings. Although it can be difficult to replicate the smells that residents are used to, you can still use scented candles and air fresheners to change the way your care home smells. You can also bring fresh flowers, which will likely cheer up any residents who might be feeling down. Moreover, this can be another great way for them to personalise their rooms.

Promote Independence

It’s essential to reassure residents that they have not lost their independence in any way. Therefore, you should encourage them to maintain an independent routine as much as possible. For instance, if residents have any hobbies that they would like to get involved in again, make sure you provide them with all the supplies and equipment they need. These might include knitting, sewing, drawing, or reading a nice book before bed. Additionally, you may consider bringing a few spare chairs into their rooms to ensure that they can host visitors, such as family and friends.

Allow Residents To Play Their Favourite Music

Another key thing that can help residents feel at home is music. This is something that you shouldn’t overlook, as there are many benefits to allowing residents to listen to their favourite music. For example, it might be a nice idea to get them a CD player or a radio, which they can use to play some upbeat tunes in their free time. Music can play a powerful role in people’s lives, as it can often remind them of friends, family members, or specific moments in life. When talking to residents, make sure you mention music and ask them what songs make them feel better.