Assisted Living Facilities

Tips for Decluttering in Assisted Living Facilities

Maintaining a clean and organized space at home or in assisted living facilities is vital to seniors’ overall well-being. A clutter-free space positively impacts seniors’ mental and physical wellness, allowing them to live in a comfortable, eye-pleasing, and safe environment. Clear spaces protect your loved ones from physical risks while reducing stress and anxiety. Regardless of age, we all want a space to navigate freely and away from hazards.

Benefits of Decluttering in Assisted Living Facilities

Decluttering in assisted living facilities benefits senior residents in many ways, including the transformative benefits.

  • A clean living environment promotes better mental and physical health. Excess and accumulated belongings can be an eyesore and trigger anxiety and stress. With an organized space, seniors can enjoy a relaxed environment.
  • An organized space also contributes to mental clarity and better cognitive health. A clean environment promotes better focus, cognitive function, and a sense of calm.
  • Decluttering also prevents risks of accidents or falls, which are common in old age. Clear pathways ensure easy navigation, particularly for residents in wheelchairs and walkers.
  • A tidy and organized space makes it easier to find essential things, reducing stress and frustration. It also means maintaining a healthy environment for seniors with respiratory conditions, as excess things attract dust and allergens.
  • Managing a clutter-free space is also easier. With fewer things, cleaning and organizing is faster and easier without bending, lifting, and reaching.

Assisted living facilities promote a safer, healthier, and more comfortable environment by creating an organized space for everyone.

Steps for decluttering

With the new year, there is no better time to trim down your possessions with a good declutter.

  • Start by listing where to start: drawers, closets, kitchens, etc. This will help you identify key areas that need decluttering. To avoid being overwhelmed, do this one area at a time.
  • Set a schedule, such as a day or time, to stay focused. Avoid decluttering from one area to another, as this will only lead to more clutter.
  • Gather materials you need, such as cleaning supplies, boxes, and labels for your trash, donate, recycle, and keep items.

To organize the remaining items you want to keep, use storage solutions like clear boxes, stackable drawers, bins, and baskets. This will help you maintain an organized space and prevent future clutter. Do this regularly to avoid personal and house items from accumulating again.

Tips for Sentimental Items

Letting go of sentimental items can be challenging. However, when things are piling up and overwhelm your drawers and organizers, it is time to sort through the clutter. While these items have sentimental value, remember that you are not obligated to keep things you will not use.

Another thing to note is the item’s condition. Is this still in good condition? Things in good condition and usable can be donated. While it is essential to honor these items, it is also important to let go of things that are no longer useful. Ask family members or residents who might want to keep these items. By choosing to let go, you are helping yourself and the rest of the assisted living facility residents have a safe and comfortable living environment.

Looking for excellent senior living in Nebraska? Click here to learn about Fallbrook Assisted Living!


Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Fallbrook Memory Care Facility

Self-Care Tips for Residents in Nursing Homes

Prioritizing self-care is crucial for the overall well-being of residents in nursing homes. Taking the time to pamper yourself helps reduce the impacts of burnout and stress. Life’s challenges can sometimes be overwhelming, leading to mental and emotional health issues. So, when you think that self-care is a luxury or overindulgence, think again. Taking care of your well-being helps you better respond to stress, promoting resilience and strength.

Daily routines in Nursing Homes: Personal hygiene, healthy eating, and hydration

Self-care is often overlooked regardless of age. Usually, people care for their families while others neglect their own needs. However, seniors in nursing care facilities must maintain a healthy self-care routine to prevent illnesses and complications from existing health or medical conditions and improve overall well-being.

There are many ways to better care for yourself. Self-care is a simple way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating more nutritious food and exercising daily. Incorporating a healthier habit into your daily lifestyle yields better results without strictly imposing it.

Eat balanced meals to maintain health and prevent diseases. Proper nutrition supports a healthy immune system, cognitive function, strength, and mobility.

Personal hygiene routines, such as bathing, brushing teeth, and grooming, are crucial for physical cleanliness and boosting self-esteem. They help eliminate foul, unpleasant odors, keep you fresh, have clearer skin, fight cavities, and free you from illnesses.

Staying hydrated is crucial to prevent muscle weakness and lightheadedness, which are risks of falls and accidents. Increased fluid intake also enhances cognitive function, increases energy levels, improves muscle function, supports cardiovascular health, improves medical effectiveness, and healthy skin.

Mental health care in Nursing Homes: Meditation, journaling, and staying connected with loved ones

Adjustment when transitioning to a new environment can be emotionally challenging, leading to stress, isolation, and depression. Mental health cannot be stressed enough for the vulnerable residents of nursing homes.

Loved ones and staff can play a significant role in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.  A welcoming and nurturing can positively impact the lives of senior residents, contributing to improved quality of life.

Programs and activities, such as arts and crafts, music therapy, gardening, meditation, and journaling, help residents stay socially engaged, promote independence, and stay connected to what and who they love. Regular social interactions foster meaningful relationships among residents and promote a sense of belonging.

Meanwhile, personalized approaches like journaling, yoga, and meditation work wonders for mental health. Journaling can be a safe and private space for self-expression without fear of judgment. Writing down things that are hard to share can be beneficial for processing feelings and thoughts. Putting anger, anxiety, or worries on paper reduces the intensity of emotions and stress. Journaling also improves mood.

The benefits of meditation go far beyond the physical. They include stress reduction, pain management, improved sleep and focus, and mood enhancement. Meditation can also be done in the privacy of your rooms or a communal area with other residents, providing a sense of connection.

 

Physical activities: Chair exercises, stretching, and recreational activities

Being in nursing homes should not limit residents from engaging in regular physical activities. As we age, it is necessary to get enough exercise. Light stretches and social activities can help improve joint function, alleviate pain due to the release of endorphins, improve weight management, and preserve muscle mass.

Nursing facilities offer various activities for socialization and physical and mental wellness. Chair exercises, swimming, walking, house chores, gardening, and dancing can improve cardiovascular health, increase energy and strength, balance and coordination, enhance mood, promote better sleep and autonomy, and increase the sense of purpose. Seniors can have a healthy and fulfilling life by incorporating chair exercises, stretching, and recreational activities.

Looking for excellent senior facilities in Nebraska? Click here to learn all about Fallbrook Assisted Living!


Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Senior Housing

Staying Busy in the Winter in Senior Housing

Staying active and engaged is crucial regardless of age. However, it is also essential to maintain social connections for residents in senior housing, particularly during the cold winter months. The colder, darker, and longer days can lead to isolation, depression, and physical decline.

Physical activities and engagement combat feelings of loneliness, improve mood, maintain cognitive function, and contribute to a happy and fulfilled life in senior housing. While outdoor activities are limited during winter, many indoor activities keep senior residents occupied and socially stimulated, essential for their physical and overall well-being.

Indoor Activities for Senior Housing

You can try these indoor activities with family, friends, and carers.

  • Board games are not only good for maintaining a connection with residents but also good for mental stimulation.
  • Puzzles, jigsaw, word searches, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku are classic games that keep the mind sharp.
  • Painting, knitting, or sewing is relaxing while enhancing creativity.
  • Cooking or baking sessions with family or friends can be fun to learn new skills.

All suggested activities involve different cognitive functions that slow mental decline. Completing a puzzle or a game gives a sense of accomplishment, the same feeling you get when you create a delicious dish. Engaging in these simple yet fun activities is also beneficial for maintaining fine motor skills while making memories with loved ones.

Community Events

Offering a variety of community events can create an uplifting and vibrant environment throughout the winter season. Movie nights, for example, allow senior residents to share experiences and thoughts about the movie, breaking free from their daily routines. Movie nights are also accessible for everyone, including residents with limited mobility.

Meanwhile, holiday parties and gatherings foster a feeling of belonging, reducing loneliness and isolation. When you are with the people you care about on special occasions, the festive atmosphere can boost your mood and bring you joy.

Attend fitness classes organized by senior housing facilities to enhance balance, flexibility, and strength, reducing the risk of falls typical among seniors. These classes are also great opportunities to meet new friends and socialize. In addition to social connection, engaging in physical activities releases good and happy hormones called endorphins to alleviate signs of depression and anxiety. Joining community events can boost the mood, kicking off the winter blues and allowing you to get out of your room and socialize.

Outdoor options

Even during winter, outdoor activities are still an option, but with careful safety and accessibility considerations.

  • Weather permitting, a stroll around a senior housing facility can be a great way to get some fresh air and an opportunity for light exercise. However, make sure to do this safely.
  • Do some gardening work on warmer days. Walk around or enjoy the view and the sunshine.
  • Set up bird feeders near your window or in the garden. This would be an excellent way to connect with nature.

Enjoy the winter scenery with a guide to ensure safety. Check the temperature first, bundle up, and wear boots with good traction to avoid slips and falls. Start with short walks and eventually increase the distance on your next walk.

Looking for excellent senior care in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!


Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper