The staff at Bethesda Gardens assisted living community in Frisco, TX, is always ready to help a new resident move in. From choosing the right assisted living apartment to meeting new people and taking part in activities, we’re here to help with whatever you need.
And something we’ve realized over the years is that many people worry about what to bring to their assisted living apartment. Yes, you’re probably downsizing from your existing home. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your new apartment feel like home.
Some items you might want to bring can include:
On top of these essentials, we have suggestions for some things you might want to buy for your assisted living apartment. Obviously, it’s your space and you have the final say in most cases, which is what makes it your home. But here are some items that can add extra functionality or convenience.
Folding chairs can be easily stored in a corner or in your closet, so they don’t take up a lot of space in the apartment. But friends or family can get them out of storage and use them when they visit. You can also get them out if you invite some friends from the assisted living community into your apartment for Bible study, quilting or just beverages and a chat.
Space-saving clothes hangers, such as this one from Ideaworks, let you hang more in your closet space. In some cases, you can hang five garments in the space that one normally takes, which can make it easy to store your entire annual wardrobe in your assisted living apartment closet. Simply use several organizational hangers to keep items that aren’t currently in season at the back of the closet, then rotate them out when the weather changes.
Digital picture frames show pictures on a screen. You can set them to rotate through hundreds of pictures of family, friends and fond memories, which saves space on your shelves or tabletops without sacrificing your access to these images.
In some cases, the digital frames even have Wi-Fi capability. That means you can connect them to Wi-Fi at the assisted living community and your relatives can email pictures directly to the frame. Imagine being surprised with constantly new images of the grandchildren rotating on your wall!
Convert any seat in your assisted living apartment to a personal dining table, work desk, game table or place to do hobbies when you invest in a quality TV table. Make sure you buy one that’s sturdy and easy for you to handle so you can get up and down unassisted. One option is to purchase a rotating tray table that sits next to your chair or bed. Drive Medical also offers an option designed to work with lift chairs.
A whiteboard is a great place to leave yourself little messages or track habits you want to encourage, such as taking medication on time or exercising. Invest in a magnetic whiteboard and you can also keep bills or letters organized and in view without dealing with pushpins and a bulletin board. Consider buying low-odor whiteboard markers to keep the scent down in your assisted living apartment, especially during very cold or hot months when you don’t want to open any windows.
An essential oil diffuser can be a great way to add enjoyable aromas in your apartment. Add a bit of peppermint in one for a holiday scent around Christmas, use lavender to add a calming aroma or research essential oil blends that might help with various ailments.
Always ask your doctor about using essential oils before you try them, and remember that diffusers are meant for short-term use. Leave them on for only 10 to 30 minutes at a time.
Add an electric kettle to your kitchenette so you can have hot tea, instant coffee or even a cup of noodles at a moment’s notice.
