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I would love to put many pictures of our large family and her home state of Michigan. The staff has warned me not to put too much up as it may overstimulate her. She keeps asking to go home. I want her room to feel like home to her. Please help!

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I'd go to a thrift shop and get a couple of beautiful paintings, put them up, and skip the family photos. I agree that too much, especially lingering on family that she no longer recognizes, is overstimulating.

My husband is in memory care. He barely notices his decor. Though he has always been a devoted family man and loving father, the framed family pictures on his shelves mean nothing to him now. He recognizes his children in person, but not pictures of them. He barely notices the lovely thrift shop paintings of the sea and mountains that should remind him of his favorite scenery from his real life, but they look nice on his walls and the aides enjoy them. He does like his bedspread, which is soft and cuddly, and his TV.

When we put up pix of their previous life, I'm convinced that it's for us, not for them. We desperately want them to remember us, and the good times, and the life they loved, but at some point they won't, and we should come to terms with that.

I hope your mother adjusts well, but trying to make a facility bedroom into her previous home isn't worth the effort. Think comfort, peace, and safety instead.
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sksvibe Apr 22, 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience and ideas about the thrift shop and family photos. So far, my Mom seems to recognize all our family members... I know that can change.

Thanks so much!
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When I moved my mom with Alzheimer's to her apartment I basically took all the furniture from the living room where she spent most of her time and recreated the layout. Brought the photos from the side table, etc. I don't have experience with Parkinson's though, maybe your mom's needs are different.
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sksvibe Apr 22, 2026
This is what I thought would be good, to recreate what she had previously... as much as possible. The nurse still cautioned me, so I feel like I need to gather more information as I really don't want to cause any undue agitation or over stimulation because of my good intentions.

Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Is she sharing a room? If so, need to consider her roomate. Can she get around? If so, where my Mom was tried to keep everyone in the common area where there were activities and meals. My Mom only went to her room to sleep.

I got my Mom a nice twin size quilt to give her room some color. I donated it when she passed. Don't put anything that is something thats worth money or sentimental in the room.
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Fawnby Apr 21, 2026
My husband's memory care unit is like that also. The common area is quite lively sometimes! Their philosophy is to keep residents connected and communicating as much as possible. It's so interesting to watch how their friendships develop.
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Blues and green suncatchers in the window.
The ones on a long string. I think those are low key pretty. Not gawky and glaring.
Something that shows her personality.
What do you think would bring her comfort? Cheerful table lamp?
You will know as you go.
I read somewhere blues and greens are calming colors.
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I think photos from home have helped my mom, but she does not have Parkinsons. I've found that too much in her room does make her agitated, but that's her NPD and Schizophrenia doing that most likely. She obsesses with things she can see and thinks someone wants them and she needs to hide them or get rid of them. She has been like that all my life I think. Right now she has two things on her door, a couple of things on her dresser, two paintings and five photos along with a plant and some things she has made during craft time. She still asks me to take away some other things, but I have so far put her off.
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