Assisted Living Move-In Checklist: What Families Should Pack
Knowing exactly what to pack for your loved one’s move to assisted living will ensure that they are comfortable and have everything they require for daily living. It will also keep you from overpacking in a small apartment. This comprehensive list includes everything that will help assisted living apartments feel like home.
Why Packing Wisely Makes Moving to Assisted Living Easier
How carefully you pack determines how quickly your loved one adjusts to their new assisted living apartment. Bringing the right mix of practical and comfortable items can help make assisted living apartments feel more like home. Knowing what to bring and what the community provides allows you to avoid overpacking. It ensures that you don’t forget anything important during your loved one’s emotional transition into assisted living. Organized packing makes everyone’s first few days in assisted living more comfortable and less stressful. It also ensures that the residents have everything they require.
What Families Should Pack for their Loved One Moving into Assisted Living
Clothing and Other Personal Belongings
Pack seven to ten days of comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the season and fits your loved one’s current size and mobility requirements. Include some nice clothes for dining out and socializing with friends, as well as some comfortable sleepwear and innerwear. If necessary, pack adaptive clothing, such as Velcro closures, elastic waistbands, or easy-access features, to help your senior loved one who requires assistance with daily tasks get dressed.
Moreover, include a warm jacket or coat, comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles, slippers with good traction, and any special shoes your loved one wears regularly, such as diabetic shoes or orthotics-compatible shoes. Include some of your loved one’s favorite accessories, such as jewelry, watches, scarves, or hats, to help them feel dressed and confident in their new social environment.
Personal Care and Hygiene Products
Pack your loved one’s favorite toiletries and personal care items, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and any other preferred brands, to help them feel at home. Bring along hairbrushes, combs, nail clippers, razors, and any other personal hygiene tools, such as electric razors or brushes with easy-grip handles. Include lotions, lip balm, and any prescription or over-the-counter products that your loved one uses regularly to care for their skin or feel better. If your loved one wears glasses, bring extra glasses, denture care supplies, hearing aid batteries, cleaning supplies, and a backup pair.
Communication and Technological Devices
Bring your loved one’s preferred cell phone, tablet, or other communication device, along with all necessary chargers and accessories. Create simple instruction cards with large print of essential phone numbers, such as family members, doctors, and emergency contacts, so your loved one can easily locate them. Include any assistive technology that allows your loved one to stay connected and independent, such as louder phone calls, remotes with large buttons, or communication devices. Bring radios, CD players, or other music devices into their apartment to keep them company and entertained.
Things for Health and Medicine
Place all of your loved one’s current medications in their original, clearly labeled prescription bottles. This includes any OTC medications and supplements they take daily. Bring any medical devices that your loved one uses daily, such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, inhalers, or other health-management tools. Include mobility aids such as walkers, canes, grab bars, or any other adaptive equipment that assists with daily tasks while keeping your senior loved one safe and secure. Put extra batteries in your loved one’s hearing aids, glasses cases, and any medical alert devices or emergency call systems that they currently use.
Important Papers and Data
When packing your senior loved one’s bag, include critical legal documents, such as healthcare directives, power of attorney forms, and emergency contact information. Include Social Security cards, ID cards, and any other financial documents required for community billing and healthcare coordination. Pack their recent photos and information about their personal history to help the staff understand their background, likes and dislikes, and other essential aspects of their life.
Furniture and Other Items Used in Assisted Living Homes
Pack up small pieces of furniture that will fit in your loved one’s apartment, such as their favorite chairs, small tables, or bedroom accessories that make them feel at ease while taking up little space. Bring sheets, blankets, and pillows that will fit standard twin or full-size beds commonly found in assisted living apartments. Add small lamps for comfortable lighting, easily visible and audible alarm clocks, and any other bedroom items that will help your senior loved one sleep better and stick to their daily routine.
Things for Making Your Senior Loved One Involve in the Community and Interact With Others
Pack clothes suitable for community activities, such as workout clothes for fitness programs, formal attire for dining and social gatherings, and comfortable clothing for everyday activities. Moreover, don’t forget to pack games, cards, or other enjoyable items that your loved one can share with others at community events and social gatherings. As your loved one makes new friends and gets to know the staff at their new community, bring them small gifts or treats to share.
Ready to Help Your Senior Loved One Smoothly Transition into Assisted Living and Improve their Quality of Life? Check Out Bailey Pointe Assisted Living at Van Dorn
Bailey Pointe Assisted Living at Van Dorn can assist you in determining which items will work best in our apartments if you are creating a checklist for your loved one’s move-in. They can offer specific advice on room layouts and storage solutions. Schedule a tour and see the sizes of our apartments. We’ll discuss what personal items will make your loved one’s stay in beautiful Lincoln, Nebraska, feel more like home.
