5 Must-Have Print Materials for Retirement Homes

When creating a welcoming environment for residents and their families at retirement homes, thoughtfully designed communication tools play an important role. Unlike digital content, print leaves a tangible impression - something families can hold onto, review, and share. Here are five must-have print materials every retirement home should have to build trust and strengthen relationships.

Brochures & Booklets

A well-designed brochure or booklet is often the first impression prospective residents and their families have of your retirement community. They are especially effective for tours, direct mail campaigns, and community outreach. 

Clearly outlining services, amenities, lifestyle offerings, care options, and other relevant information while showcasing your home’s unique brand identity acts as a tangible touchpoint for community members and prospective residents. Consider including high-quality photos, resident testimonials, and a short message from the director as a way of helping families envision what life in your retirement home could look like.

Why it Matters

Brochures and booklets are important marketing tools and educational resources because they:

• Showcase services and amenities such as accommodations, dining options, social activities, and healthcare support.

• Help guide decision-making for new and prospective residents and their families.

• Build trust and credibility by reinforcing the retirement home as a trusted source in the community.

• Enhance communication by relaying information in a clear and concise way.

• Encourage engagement with interactive elements and community involvement highlights.

What to Include

Include information in your brochure or booklet that’s relevant to your retirement community in an easy-to-read design. Here are some ideas for what to include:

• Services

• Care options

• Amenities and facilities

• Lifestyle and activities

• Testimonials or resident stories

• Photos and visuals

• Contact information

• Facility information

Utilize Brand Elements

Build brand trust and recognition by utilizing brand fonts, colours, and logos in your brochure. Branded brochures and booklets help retirement homes communicate value, build trust, and guide prospective residents toward making an informed, confident decision.

Bonus Tip: Target people that may be ready to make the move into a retirement home or children of aging parents with an unaddressed mailing campaign. Reach a wider audience and engage with people you might not usually interact with by distributing your brochures and booklets more broadly.

Reinforce your retirement home’s brand identity through brochures and booklets! Reach out today for a free personalized print quote!

Welcome Packets

Moving into a retirement home can feel scary and overwhelming. A thoughtfully assembled welcome packet helps ease the transition by providing new residents and their families with everything they need to know. This not only provides clarity but also helps residents feel cared for and at home with clear communication and transparency.

Welcome packets support a strong first experience with your brand for new residents and their families, increasing the likelihood of engagement. They not only reassure families that their loved one will be well cared for, but also reinforce the home’s professionalism and attention to detail.

Inside Your Welcome Packet

Once a new resident moves in, a welcome packet provides a comprehensive look at the community, including details on services, amenities, daily activities, policies, and staff introductions. Consider adding the following to your welcome packet:

• Welcome letter from the director

• Daily schedules

• Upcoming activities and events

• Dining menus

• Personal care options

• Facility rules and policies

• Staff introductions

• Contact information

Fun Items to Include

Include branded items in your welcome packet such as a small map of the grounds, a welcome banner they can hang on their front door, a nametag so others get to know them, or a business card with key contact information they can keep in their pocket. Welcome packets help build trust, showcase the retirement community’s personality, and make the transition into a new home feel organized and welcoming.

Ready to welcome new residents with branded welcome packets? We can help print them. Get in touch for a free quote.

Newsletters & Magazines

Newsletters and magazines showcase the vibrancy of the community while keeping both residents and their families engaged and in the know. Build trust and strengthen relationships with your retirement community by distributing printed newsletters or magazines on a monthly basis. These materials keep residents, families, and staff informed while helping to foster relationships and position the retirement home as a welcoming, lively place to live.

Past the Front Page

Newsletters and magazines are an opportunity for long form content and special features to be shared with your retirement community on an ongoing basis. Stay connected by sharing highlights of daily resident life, upcoming events, resident spotlights and stories, community achievements, and important announcements. This strengthens the home’s reputation as an active, caring, and honest environment.

Print & Digital

Newsletters can be shared both physically and digitally, extending their reach to prospective residents by offering a genuine glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of the retirement community. Unlike digital updates, printed newsletters can be pinned on a fridge or shared with loved ones, making them a tangible item that resonates well with older audiences.

Want to print newsletters that keep your retirement community informed? Reach out for a personalized print quote.

Signage & Wayfinding

Clear signage is essential in any retirement home. From directional signs and room markers to activity board postings, clear print materials create a safe and welcoming environment. Signage also reassures visiting families that the space is well-organized and thoughtfully designed for accessibility and comfort.

Types of Signage

Clear, accessible signage is crucial for helping residents, visitors, and staff navigate the community. There are many different types of signage to include in your retirement facility, including wayfinding, safety, accessibility, community information, and branding. 

Wayfinding, safety, and accessibility signage is necessary to help staff, residents, and families navigate easily around your facility, building trust and strengthening relationships. Community information and branding signage helps to strengthen brand loyalty and increase engagement.

Top 3 Sign Types to Include

Consider reviewing the following forms of important signage in your retirement home:

• Wayfinding:

• Entrance and exit signs

• Room and apartment numbers/names

• Directional arrows and maps

• Elevator and stairwell signage

• Safety:

• Emergency exit and evacuation route maps

• Fire extinguisher and AED markers

• Safety reminders like “Watch Your Step”

• Infection control signs like “Hand Sanitizer Station”

• Accessibility:

• ADA-compliant signage

• Reserved parking and accessible spaces

• Restroom signs

Need clear, branded retirement home signage or maps? We’ll print what you need. Contact us today for a free print quote.

Event Invitations & Programs

Increase engagement, build anticipation and excitement, and support your retirement community’s vibrant lifestyle with event invitations and programs. Printed invitations to open houses, family nights, holiday celebrations, educational seminars, or volunteer opportunities act as a tangible touchpoint that help showcase your retirement home as a welcoming and active place. 

Once guests attend, event programs guide them through the experience, reinforcing your home’s professionalism and attention to detail. Together, these materials not only build excitement and encourage participation but also serve as lasting keepsakes that remind families of the positive experience long after the event is over. They position the retirement home as a community-centered environment where residents can thrive socially and emotionally.

Personalize Your Invites

Resonate with your residents and their families by personalizing event invitations and programs. Check out the following forms of personalization depending on your event:

• Recipient’s name

• Assigned seating or table numbers (if applicable)

• Personalized message from the director

• Tailored imagery and design

• QR code that leads to a personalized RSVP landing page

• Photos of the recipient from a past event

Depending on the number of recipients, you may choose to do more or less personalization.

Examples of Invitations & Programs

There are endless events that you can create printed invitations and programs for depending on your retirement home. 

• You might choose to host a coffee chat for an hour per week to give residents a reason to socialize, calling it Coffee Talk Tuesdays. 

• You may be in need of volunteers and want to send out a personal invitation to local high school students for them to secure their volunteer hours. 

• A local musician may come in every Monday to play for community members on Musical Mondays. 

• A holiday party might be in the works and you want to send personalized evening programs to attendees so they know what to expect. 

Need professionally printed invitations and programs for your next event? Contact us today for a personalized print quote.

Use print marketing materials at your retirement home!

Print materials are more than just marketing tools - they’re a reflection of your retirement home’s values, culture, and commitment to senior care. By investing in brochures, welcome packets, newsletters, signage, and event invitations, you’ll not only attract new residents but also create a supportive, informed, and connected community for those who already call your facility home.

Let’s bring your ideas to life and create print solutions that work for your brand. Contact us today for expert guidance and a free quote!