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Finally got mom to try assisted living. Unfortunately she could only get a tiny studio with a an ugly view of big mechanical units of some kind. I can't believe they don't try to disguise them with fencing or something. Mom is on waitlist for another room, but it could take a long time and I think this view is demoralizing for any resident. Any ideas?

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You might speak with the administrative staff and ask what you can bring in to block the ugly view. I'm thinking of tall artificial planters with foliage; buy some artificial roses or lovely flowers at Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics and make a beautiful artificial indoor flowering bush.

Another alternative is to bring in artwork reproductions and set the pictures in the window; facilities often have window sills on which the art could be set.

But my preference would be to create an indoor artificial flower garden.

Another alternative would be to hang mandalas from a curtain rod so they're hanging down just at the level of the equipment. Madalas with glass are nice because not only does the colored glass provide lovely colors, it reflects the sun, sometimes bouncing off the wall and creating interesting patterns.

Wintertime "blocking" decorations would be easy - use construction paper or even the patterned paper sold at Michael's and Jo-Ann's for scrapbooking and create large patterned snowflakes.

Artifical ornamental grasses could also be used. Large reasonably priced vases could be filled with colored glass to anchor them. The glass would provide a nice complement to the ornamentals and might even reflect sunlight through the vase.

Another example would be to use a similar arrangement and fill it with large sunflowers and cascading foliage or flowers.

These might not block the entire view, but at least would block some of it.
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What is the nature of the equipment? Is it something a junior high class could paint a mural on? That might be a long-term improvement.

We put up a double hanging crook outside of Mom's NH window, with both a bird feeder and a flowering plant. When keep an eye on it and tend it when we visit. We started with a basket of live plants but it was too hard to keep them water, repaired from wind, etc. so we switched to a silk version. Mom comments sometimes about how well they are doing! We switch to a basket of evergreens for the winter.

I think you are right to let the pros get your mother out of her room. No point in making it an issue of conflict between the two of you! When we found out that our mom was going to bingo and crafts and baking and sing-alongs and live entertainment, we were totally amazed! We were sure she would resist all this socializing. She is also now socializing with individuals. She has friends! That took more than a year, but it is so nice seeing her carry on a conversation with another old lady!

Rosy, you activate your stubborn genes. You are doing everything you can to make your mother's environment pleasant. It is up to her to adjust to it.
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There are great ideas in the post above. I'd try them or I might ask the facility about putting a nice decorative fence to conceal the unit and offer to pay if it's not too much. I think that stuff is pretty lightweight, easy to set up and not expensive.

Also, do they allow curtains? This spring I found some lovely colorful curtains with brightly colored floral print, but they are thin and allow some light in. You might try several things to see what works. I found that while I put a lot time into my cousin's room in Assisted Living, I found that she didn't spend that much time there. She was normally in the sitting room, tv room or dining room. They also had an outdoor patio. There were many things to do and little time to spend in the bedroom except at night.
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Babalou, I know, but she is highly resistant to being social due to super bad hearing and all around stubbornness. She will probably hunker down for a while looking for reasons to hate it. I am trying to find my own stubborn genes to make her stay where she is safe. Trying also to make the room as pleasant as possible. I am counting on the pros to pry her out.
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There is a great window film available that adheres to the glass with static cling, so it is easily removed. I have used it myself to cover the lower half of my street facing windows.
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In al, your mother shouldn't be spending a lot of time in her room, except at night.
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I spoke to administration and i can put a birdfeeder or other decor outside her room. If i knew she'd be there long enough, I'd put fencing up.
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Rosy, curious what does your Mom think of the view from the window? If it doesn't bother her, then let it be.

I find not having a view out a window can be depressing, even if I have to look at rooftop air conditioning units... at least one could tell how the weather is outside, see the clouds, birds, etc.
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Thanks for your ideas. I have put up a sheer cafe curtain to obscure it when sitting and will try to put some artificial flowers or maybe hang some of her colored glass items. I know she will notice because we toured a beautiful facilty elsewhere and when we went into the model room she instantly complained of a similar view.
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if youd put a " free " sign on the big piece of equiptment , crackhead metal scavengers would have it hauled off by morning . theres crazy people everywhere . use them against your adversaries .
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