Shifting to an Assisted Living or Retirement Community

Moving can be a daunting experience, particularly for seniors who are downsizing and making hard decisions about what they want to take with them.

Yet going to an assisted living community encourages freedom among elders and delivers the autonomy they could have been missing at home. Our loved ones’ lives are meant to be stress-free and fulfilling in their new homes.

Moving Checklist: What Should We Pack?

Getting the exact dimensions to the new home will help a great deal in deciding which furniture to bring.  Your loved ones will want their very favorite furniture and personal items. Make sure the items you bring will fit comfortably.

Here’s a list of essentials to move:

Furniture

  • Sofa, chairs, lift chair
  • end tables/nightstands
  • Folding chairs for guests
  • Kitchenware – dishes, glasses, utensils
  • Bedding- blankets, quilt, pillows
  • Lamps
  • Mementos and knick-knacks
  • Framed photos and artwork

Your loved-one’s new home will most likely be much smaller than where their moving from, so be careful not to over pack.

Necessaries

  • Appliances not included in new space –coffeemaker, microwave, etc.
  • Alarm clock
  • Hangers
  • Assistive items – eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes/walkers
  • Cleaning wipes
  • TV / radio
  • Favored books and magazines

Check to see what is supplied by the assisted living facility.

Clothing

  • Casual clothing – sweats, jeans, sweaters
  • Pajamas and robe
  • Socks/Slippers/Shoes
  • Climate-appropriate attire.
  • Formal outfits for special occasions

Toiletries

  • List of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper is always good!
  • Soap and shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Razor
  • Make-up

Make your loved ones’ new space a place they can call home!