How to Brighten a Nursing Home Bedroom

Moving is often a traumatic event. But when moving means going from a home to a nursing home the patient involved may become depressed , disoriented or uneasy. As with any move, many known things have been left behind. Knowing which way to turn to use a bathroom may seem like a simple thing until you lose it. Knowing where your clothes are, where your food is, and what can be located by looking out the window are all bits of knowledge that one has to relearn whenever a move is made. But when the move is made to a nursing home, atmosphere is also sacrificed and patients often complain of not feeling at home in their new surroundings. A nursing home needs to be clean and orderly, but patients are looking for comfy and homelike. That's where loved ones can really step up by learning how to brighten a nursing home bedroom.

The Bed and its covering. When senior citizens move into nursing homes some well meaning relatives try to be helpful by purchasing a new comforter or bedspread and blankets for the nursing home bedroom. As well intentioned and costly as these efforts may have been, it's possible that they might miss the mark.

To the extent possible many seniors would prefer to keep the bed clothing that is familiar to them. Going into a new home may be made slightly less fearful when the senior looks at the bed, as he and she will every day, and sees something that reminds them of the comfort of home. If the old bed clothing is beyond use, then of course a change is in the offing. Even so it is perhaps best to select comforters and blankets that are vaguely reminiscent of what is being replaced. When possible the best advice is to talk to the patient before any purchase is made.