Personalizing a Unit in a Senior's Care Residence

Margaret just moved from her beautiful, large town house with a view of the harbour, into a very small one-bedroom apartment in a senior's care residence, with a view of the side of a townhouse development. This was a big change for the psyche and, therefore, it was important to make the new space as beautiful, comfortable, and soul-full as possible. Margaret's innate creativity and thoughtfulness have made the shift easier than most, but there was still a long list of suggestions that brought balance and healing and peace to her surroundings.

Limitations abounded because of the "rules" of the institution. Something other than "institutional" beige would have been nice on the walls; certainly paint with no or low VOC would have been an improvement. The gyproc and carpets are full of formaldehyde which has been implicated in many, many health problems, particularly for seniors. However, moving furniture, clearing clutter, and taking advantage of the light from outdoors with mirrors, made a nice change. Adding white accessories such as pillows, aphgans and a new bedspread changed the entire feel of the place to one of restfulness and peace. Personalizing the little garden outside her door was a beautiful addition. A suggestion to travel as much as possible, and to keep inviting all her friends for tea, rounded out the list of suggestions.