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I've done some searching, but all I can find are ideas for a private suite. Mom is in a shared ward room and her personal space consists of her bed, a side table and an ugly wardrobe. Mom can't see so my desire is to make the space more visitor friendly (I can't imagine my family's reaction to the place) and also an attempt to help staff see the difference between the rooms occupants (for example I'm finding I have to go through her clothes daily to remove items that belong to her roommates).

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Some great ideas for decorating. Sorry to say you will be chasing clothes all over nursing home but we used permanent marker or printed iron/sew on labels to prove who items belong too. We also could show staff so hopefully it would improve but never did. Have fun decorating and goid luck with clothes.
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Granjan, I would gather up all the crap in your mother's space and return it to roomie's side of the room. If you can't find anywhere to stuff it all then take a box. If you want to be really passive aggressive carry the box to lost and found - play innocent "I don't know where all this stuff is from, I hope you can find the proper place for it" lol.

Since mom can't see most of the changes I've made are really to help me and anyone else who comes to visit feel more comfortable (the institutional beige everywhere was just one straw too many for me) and also to let staff know that mom has someone who cares.
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My Mom is in a NH and has a roommate who was there first. The roommates family has overwhelmed the room with childish crap. There are 8 teddy bears, one of which is about 4 ft tall and sits in the only chair in the room. I have sparsly decorated her side of the room so the cleaning people have started putting some of the stuff from the roommate on her side of the room. Last time I was there you could no longer see Mom's pictures for all the dollar store junk on her chest of drawers. Make sure you respect boundaries.😃
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Don't know if would help but we have a battery operated Pete the repeat parrot. My alz hubby loves to talk to it & it repeats twice what he says. $20 Amazon. Idea was from Alz reading rm. You need to be about 18 in. From him.
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When my mother was in the nursing home, I bought a blanket that fit over her narrow bed perfectly - it was a polyester/fleece with a big photo of a cat on it. (they had others, dogs, wolves, sports, but my mom always loved cats more than anything.) I wrote her name on the bottom in big letters with a magic marker so if it disappeared, no question of who it belonged to. (she had a lot of stuffed animals she loved, too - thought they were real, I think - but any that left the room tended to disappear, even if they were marked with her name, too.)...The blanket came from a drugstore, either Walgreens or Kinneys.
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Depending on the level of craftiness, liquid starch can be used to add a swatch of fabric to walls or to the doors of her "closet". The starch will dry clear and can be removed without damaging the item that is underneath.
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My Mom was in a shared room also. I provided a colorful quilt for her bed and a warm knit blanket for sitting in a wheelchair. She and her roommate watched the same TV programs, so Mom watched her roommates TV. I also put a picture or two on her wall, plus a photograph of the family, that she could easily see from her bed. I'm sure your Mom has a bed side stand with drawers. The stand could hold a small arrangement of artificial flowers that you can change with the seasons.

We were asked to write my mom's name in all clothing. That alleviates the problem of clothing getting mixed up with other people's clothing. You can buy a black marker, specifically for making clothes, that will not wash out.

My Mom had a separate wardrobe for her clothes so I'm not sure if your Mom is in a ward for a semi-private room. If she is in a ward (multiple people), you can use her wardrobe as a display area, if you turn the back of the wardrobe toward your Mom. Then you can put pictures on the back of the wardrobe: cut-out bright magazine photos of fall, winter, summer scenes, post cards, cards or letters etc., her favorite prayers (written in large block letters), or whatever else she'd like to see.

Hope this gives you some ideas to brighten her space.
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I'm sorry - I didn't realize you said she can't see - but maybe people could still comment on the pictures and that would make her happy?
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Wow, the "suggestion box" is overflowing today, thanks for so many good ideas! Even though I've only made a few changes so far the space is already so much nicer, just bringing in some colour made a world of difference.
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We hung some of her favorite pictures that she had painted through the years. She loved seeing them and at first would talk about the circumstances when she had painted them. As her memory failed though she would fuss that she still needed to finish one or change something. But it did give her joy when she was first in there and the aides and others who came in would comment on her paintings. My daughter took a picture of her with all the grandkids and had that framed and we had pictures of us as kids and then Mom and Dad's wedding picture and pictures from Mom's earlier years. She passed in January but I think having those pictures and paintings really helped her during the 2 years she was in there. Her roommate had pictures of her family too and would always tell us who the kids were and stories about them.
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One thing that I did was have the handyman mount a digital photo frame on the wall facing the foot of Mamma's bed. In it, I loaded photos of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, scanned photos of her family when she was growing up, and some just random pictures of flowers, etc, that I had taken. On the bulletin board at the head of her bed, I put up a large portrait of her taken in her younger years...so that her caregivers would see the person she was before her nursing home days. It also was the opening for many interesting conversations. I brought in a small cabinet that fit on a table that was near the wall at the foot of her bed, and it was a good place to display cards (Mother's Day, for exp.) and small greenery in vases (the Dollar Store has some cute, cheap things that can brighten that area without breaking the bank) On top of the cabinet, I placed a small journal, where I daily recorded how she was that day...any interesting things that happened, etc. It was also a good spot for any visitors to record their visit if I happened to be out during that time. I hope this helps with some ideas....Mamma was never happy there (she only lived 2 months to the day), but I tried my best to make it look comfortable and welcoming and give her things to think about. She no longer wanted to do her puzzles that she enjoyed so much at home, but I kept a couple of puzzle books handy to offer to her each day....occasionally she would agree to work one for a while. My best wishes to all out there dealing with this part of the decline of their loved one. It's not an easy road, but we can try to make the journey as comfortable as possible.
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My parents are both in assisted living where they were moved from a skilled nursing facility. I personalized their space with washable comforters and family photos on the wall. Photos were hung using the previously mentioned 3m hooks so they can be easily moved. They can see so those changes cheered them up, but the staff also commented on how nice it was. I also put their names on every article of clothing with a permanent marker. Still had to go searching for list items, but at least I could identify them if I found them.
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I work as a nurse in a skilled nursing facility that consists of many shared rooms. I've seen some lovely paintings brought in (from the individuals home), permission for a piece of furniture (like a wardrobe and when space allowed), and other momentos that meant something to the resident. Talk with your mom and try and find out what might mean something to her, especially if this is her home now. Even favorite blankets, favorite bed clothes/regular clothes, can make a difference. Swapping out things from time to time seems to make a difference too.
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Each year, I made a personalized calendar for my mom. Each month had a picture of something important in her life. Some photos were of her and me when I was a kid. I was her only child; other months were of her and her grandchildren; other months' pictures showed her as a young woman. The calendar hung near her bed.
Mom was able to see and those photos brought her much happiness and it helped her remember good times throughout her life. It also was the source of conversation between her and the staff. For that reason, I think it would be a good thing for your mom to have in her room - the staff would get to know her a little better.
I had the calendars made each year at a local FedEx store. (You don't need to wait until January to make a 12 month calendar.) All I needed to do was to bring 13 pictures, and I indicated which month I wanted each picture displayed. The 13th picture was for the cover.
The calendar was reasonably priced and it always brought a smile to my mom's face (which, of course, made me smile, too).
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In a perfect world this would work. I noticed when my dad was briefly in a nursing facility, most of his clothes went missing, and I actually brought them home, washed them and took them back in and put them in his chest, they still disappeared. Anything you get is up for grabs, a rug, hand lotion, socks, even flowers. The rug idea might last awhile if you don't get a flashy one, or a sport themed one. Good luck.
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wow-so many great ideas...when my mom was in the "home" I used artificial flowers, family photos, posters, a bulletin board, her own bedspreads that I washed, sticky letters for her name,and a small poster to identify her wardrobe, also a small colorful notebook that visitors could write not only their names but a little message that I could read to her later,as she did not remember their visits (dementia) and she had macular d, so she could not read ...also a couple of books that could be read to her, good luck, God bless
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One of our clients who lived in an Assisted Living facility had a shadow box with pictures and other personal items that other people can see but cannot touch.
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My Mother is not blind but is in advanced stage of dementia. She always liked the solar dancing things (Hula girl, flower, flamingo) from the Dollar Tree. I buy the most recent one and add to her collections on the windowsill. I've also brought in a few cheerfully colored throws for her chair or to put around her if she is chilly. I also go to the Dollar Tree for seasonal decorations and put them on the walls, wardrobe, etc with Command hooks. Even if your Mother can't see them the staff seems to enjoy the decorations and they will tell your Mom about. Which helps to keep everyone's spirits up. As someone else said don't put things up that are of value or you are afraid of breaking because it does happen. Best wishes to you on this journey.
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My sister likes the adult coloring books. Sharpie pens have great colors and fine tips. Other residents visit her room to see her creations (displayed on the wall). I also bought a wall TV and wall clock. The clock has a soft-glow light (blue) that acts as a night-light for bathroom needs. Her roommate enjoys these also.
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My dad suffers from advanced dementia. He enjoys looking at older family photographs; typically from the 40s. Maybe make a copy of a picture or two and get an inexpensive frame. It might not seem like much, but he always likes telling a story about each.
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My best friend was in a nursing home, I lost her about one year ago. I decorated her side of the room by using the wall space on her side. I put up photos, hanging plants, wall decals, and a real neat clock. I also used sticky shelf paper to cover her table. Her room was the talk of the nursing home. Everyone loved it.
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Does she have a bulletin board?You can decorate for the holidays and pictures you can talk about.Drawings from the grandkids? Window bird feeder, window clings, you can talk about.Yes clothes do get mixed up ,at least it is in one space you unmix them..think small like a dorm room...Big box stores have all sorts of ideas for small spaces..good luck
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I would suggest hanging family pictures on her bedside wall.

Maybe some colorful vinyl stickers for the window or those plastic stained glass window ornaments might be nice.
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We put family pictures inside the wardrobe, on the doors. We also got wall saying stickers (removable) from the dollar store- they have a wide variety to choose from. Unfortunately, the clothing issue will continue, although it did get better after we put her name in big letters inside the wardrobe. Hang in there, not easy.
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Hello, have you thought about family pictures or plants to place on top of the bureau. Ask the staff if you could put up some curtins to warm it up a bit. How about a stuffed animal or nice comforter for her bed, or some pretty throw pillows from Marshalls?
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What we've been doing is printing off pictures of the new great grandchildren, recent graduation and wedding pictures of grandchildren and taping them to the area around mom's bed. There are pictures of her mom and dad, and one of my dad on her dresser.

When mom first moved in, my sister in law and I composed a brief biography of mom, printed it off in large type and taped it up next to the head of her bed. Several staff members told us it was quite useful to know who my mom was before her stroke.
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Thanks to you all, you've got me thinking!

I like the air freshener hidden in a fake plant idea, two birds with one stone. I saw a cute little fake fern at the dollar store the other day but I wasn't sure about the glass pot, maybe I can put something together with a nice unbreakable pot.
The place mat on her bedside table is a great idea too, I went right to Dollarama and picked out a cheery plastic one on my way to visit after lunch, looks good!
The folding chair for visitors is something I never would have thought of Barb, I should be able to store something in the wardrobe.
Rainmom, I like the idea of a colourful throw pillow or two, today I noticed they used mom's teddy as a pillow between her knees, the real thing would make more sense.
I do have a one nice pic of mom and dad, organizing the photos is one of those tasks I keep putting off though. Mom's favorite colour is yellow, hm, I wonder if I can do some kind of poster for over her headboard with wall decals and stickers on yellow bristol board...
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We did what Rainmom suggested and just brought in a couple photos. My grandpa was really proud of his woodworking, so we brought a photo of one of his projects in. I don't know if the staff paid attention but we thought it was something they could ask him about if they noticed it. Also I like those 3M hooks because you can remove them easily and they are pretty strong.

We had a little plant in there and that cheered the place up but then you need to care for it. (Fake plant with coffee beans in the pot to help X out some of the nursing home smell?)

One lady at the NH had a decorated wheelchair.

The only other thing I can think of is to pick a "signature color" for your mom. My daughter only wore pink in preschool. (Her choice.) When the teachers came across something that shade, they'd always ask us first if it was hers. If her "decor" and a few of her outfits are that color, maybe they'll start associating it with her and not be as inclined to misplace her things?

My grandpa's room was always depressing. He had always liked colors and light and knick knacks, but we just never got it together. It seemed futile because unless something was out of his reach/line of sight, it got soiled. Plus it seemed inconvenient for the staff and they just pushed stuff to the corner and piled supplies on it. But I wish we had done something cuter anyway.
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Rainmom was talking about both a blanket and some family photos, which I would agree with. I think having the pictures around remind the staff that they are human and have people who love them, but they also can give the staff and place to start a conversaion. How about giving her something that's both? At https://www.collage.com/products-blankets you could make her a blanket that you can put any photos you like on it. They are kind of pricey but if you keep your eye out for deals you can often find discounts. Last week they were on the view's deal of the day thing so I grabbed that so a blanket would cost $30 instead of $100. Best of all it's set up so you can make the blanket anytime within a year so you have time to get ahold of the pictures.
As far as they cloths go, I believe there are labels you can get such as https://www.etsy.com/listing/153472162/custom-clothing-labels-personalized-name?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=custom%20clothing%20labels&ref=sc_gallery_3&plkey=22d2389ed51d1afeeaa1dc7f777d740b3d55f552:153472162 that you could put her name on and just sew onto the clothes with the rest of the labels, or even on the front of her clothes like a nametag I would guess. Both of these things could be taken with you to another place if you end up moving her.
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When my mom was in a nursing home, I bought some of those wall decor stickies-- you know the cling things in all kinds of decorative themes that you can decorate your walls with. I found a bunch that were bright butterflies and flowers and stuck them all over my mom's room. They really helped cheer up an otherwise glum room.
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