Forum Discussion

Take some sweet pictures of your residents playing activities, frame them and set them around the community. My residents and their families love it. Change out the pictures monthly if you can.

create homey areas. tv area (find an old the box kind then replace the inside with a new 1) have a cooking program/bring children into the home/have a sensory area that suits home like activities; flower arranging, sewing machine, cot change table, hat scarf racks etc

some things you can change some you can't, wall colours floor covers and furniture are big ticket items. Think about your home , talk to your resi's about there homes, change your language. When you speak about your residents use family member instead of resident, focus on social engagement opportunities, include dementia residents in your activities, speak about the concept of family and get the clinical staff on board (may be hard).
we engage our resi's in a craft group where we get them to make small items for special events, hand made cards that we sell for 50 cents to cover cost the list is almost endless. In the end it is up to you and your staff to not just say it is a home but to actively promote and embrace the concept. A house is where people live , a home is full of family.